Best Horse Racing Betting Sites UK in March 2024
Horse racing is the most loaded with money sport for betting in the UK. In 2021-22, annual betting turnover on horse racing was over £3 billion (and a billion more in the last year before Covid-19). Most of these bets are made off-track. And in this review, we’ll tell you which betting sites are best suited to make your horse racing betting experience unforgettable.
We will also give some tips that we hope will keep you from losing. Losing a lot, at least.
So here are the best horse racing betting sites in March 2024.
5 Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
William Hill - Ultimate Horse Racing Betting
William Hill offers almost everything that horse racing fans could ask for. This online horse racing betting site provides Best Odds Guaranteed, Extra Places, Enhanced Odds, and Top Price Guaranteed. Of course, this exterior comes with a fully-stocked interior: a huge selection of horse races from all over the world, at least half of which can be watched live for free, provided you are logged into the website.
In addition to horse racing betting on the horse’s placement, you can also bet on the distance that it will win by. The bookmaker’s drawbacks include an unintuitive site navigation and a lack of promotions specifically for horse racing betting.
888Sport - Brilliant Horse Racing Bet Finder
One of the standout features of 888Sport horse racing betting site is its excellently implemented Bet Finder function. With it, you can select horses to bet on based on the criteria that you deem most important. For example: jockeys in good form, trainers in good form, horses that have won at least one of their last three races, and horses that have won on a similar distance. You can also set a range of odds that you want to bet on horse racing. For instance, from Evens to 7/1. This way, the filter will not show you participants who are much bigger outsiders than those with a 7/1 odds.
Other strengths of this horse racing betting site include a good selection of races, broadcasts, BOG, and First Past the Post, as well as a convenient and detailed horse form.
Bet365 - Best Horse Racing Odds
Bet365 regularly makes various bookmaker tops, including those for horse race betting. In addition to a huge selection of races, many of which are broadcasted, which you can find in at least a dozen horse racing sites in Britain, this bookmaker also has unique advantages. First of all, the horse racing betting site promises the best price on all the UK and Ireland races with Racing TV. This means that you will have many horse races where you can be sure that you have bet on the best odds guaranteed if you play on Bet365 horse racing betting site.
The second big plus is that under the horse’s form in the information bar, there are video clips of the participant’s last races. Usually, there are five of them. This will help you evaluate how the horses run before placing a bet.
The Bet365 online betting site and app are not the most visually appealing among horse racing bookmakers. We acknowledge that you may prefer to use a more attractive service, but Bet365 should be among your horse racing bookies in any case. Not only if you love betting on horse racing, but, in general, on anything else as well.
Coral - Immersive Horse Racing
Coral has everything you need for a pleasant time on horse racing betting: a wide selection of meetings, horse racing live streaming that you can watch simply by logging in (no need to have a positive account balance or place a bet on the race you want to watch), previews and predictions, BOG, extra places, and the ability to build your racecard, which means putting together your own imaginary race with participants from different real races.
The coolest and rarest thing this horse racing betting site offers is real communication with horse racing participants and the ability to visit stables. This is possible if you become a member of the Coral Racing Club. There is no need to pay for this: just register on the platform, go to the corresponding section, and click “Join.”
Betfair - Horse Racing Betting Exchange
Another traditional participant in the best horse racing betting sites rankings, on par with Bet365, is Betfair. The first betting exchange, founded back in 2000, when the mass internet was still taking baby steps. Unlike classic online bookies, the exchange is a game not with a bookmaker, but with other UK punters. You can offer your price, and they can offer theirs.
In all other aspects of horse racing betting, Betfair is also very good. Here you will find many horse racing live streams, extra places, odds boosts, and Free bets for multiples. The horse racing betting site also provides Bet Finder. It is slightly less impressive than on 888Sport, but it is a very useful tool, and the fact of its existence is a big rarity and a big plus.
In addition to the exchange, Betfair also has a traditional sportsbook, and the horse racing line is scheduled for three days (most bookmakers only have two).
Betting on Betfair is another unique betting experience that we are happy to recommend. If you enjoy trading bets, you may also appreciate other exchanges, such as Betdaq and Smarkets.
Quick Top 3 Video Review
Top 3 horse racing betting sites video
How We Evaluate Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
How many races
When evaluating a bookmaker for horse racing betting, the variety of races available on the platform is an essential feature to consider. A good bookmaker should offer a wide range of races from different countries, with various distances and surfaces. This means that UK punters will have more betting options to choose from and will be able to find races that suit their preferences.
How many bets
In addition to the variety of races, our experts also evaluate the variety of bet types available on the bookmaker’s platform. A good bookie should offer different bet types, including each-way, place-only, and forecast/tricast bets.
Odds
The odds offered by a bookmaker are a crucial factor to consider. A good bookmaker should offer competitive odds that are in line with industry standards. This means that the bookmaker’s odds should be comparable to other bookmakers’ odds for the same race.
Best odds guaranteed (BOG)
Best Odds Guaranteed is a feature that some horse racing betting sites offer, which ensures that bettors get the best possible odds, even if the starting price is better. This means that if the odds of a horse increase after a bet is placed, the bettor will still receive the bigger odds.
Live streaming
Some bookies allow bettors to watch the race live and make more informed decisions. This means that bettors can see how their chosen horse performs during the particular race and adjust their horse racing bets accordingly. A horse racing betting site that offers live streams of horse races is more attractive to bettors.
Horse racing promotions
Promotions such as Free bets, cashback offers, and racing odds boosts can be very attractive to bettors, as they provide additional value for horse racing betting. However, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions of these promotions carefully, as some may have restrictions or requirements that need to be met. For example, it’s not rare if the horse racing betting site doesn’t allow you to place horse racing Free bets each way. System bets are also excluded, 99% of the time.
Stats and analysis
Stats and analysis provided by a horse racing betting site can be very useful for punters. Almost all online bookies provide horses form today. It leads us to evaluate not the stats themselves, but the way horse racing bookies present it. In our assessment, the most complete and convenient presentation of the horse’s form wins.
Ease of navigation
The human being gets used to everything. You can use an inconvenient website or app easily after two-three visits and keep doing it as long as the horse racing betting site offers you competitive odds. But our experts think this is not a big deal to make a simple, easy-to-use site or app for punter’s pleasure, if you care. We like those who did.
Best Horse Racing Betting Site Must-Have Features
Best Odds Guaranteed
Best Odds Guaranteed is a feature that ensures that the customer gets the best price possible for their chosen selection. If the starting price (SP) is higher than the odds the bettors took when placing their bet, then they will be paid out at the higher odds. This means that even if the odds change after the bet is placed, the customer will still get the best possible price.
Regarding this option, there are several horse racing betting sites UK who offer Best Odds Guaranteed on all races in the UK and Ireland, all of them are equally good: Bet365, Ladbrokes, Quinnbet, BoyleSports, Coral, 888Sport, BetVictor, VirginBet, Unibet.
The only difference between these horse racing bookmakers’ promotions is the starting time of the races where BOG is offered: 8, 9 or 10 in the morning. Coral doesn’t restrict the time for BOG, but you need to place the bet on the race day. From 8 am BOG is provided by Bet365, Unibet, BoyleSports, and Paddy Power.
Live Streaming
This is a feature that allows punters to watch live coverage of horse races on the bookmaker’s website or app. In addition to the pleasure of watching the race, live streaming also allows you to make better betting decisions.
Graphic Form Representation
It’s a horse’s form that is presented in a graph format. This feature allows customers to quickly and easily see a horse’s recent form and assess their chances of winning. The graph will typically show a horse’s finishing position for their last few races.
Video Analysis
Form Video Analysis is a feature that allows punters to watch videos of previous horse races. This option is particularly useful for punters who like to do their own research and analysis. By watching previous races, customers can assess a horse’s running style, how they perform on different types of track, and how they handle different ground conditions.
Extra Places
Extra Places is a promotion that provides the bettor with the opportunity to receive additional places on their each-way bets. This means that if your selection finishes in the extra place positions, you will still receive a payout, even if the bookmaker’s standard each-way terms wouldn’t normally cover it. This promotion is particularly useful in large field races such as the Grand National or Cheltenham Gold Cup.
First Past the Post
First Past the Post is a feature that pays out on the first horse to cross the finishing line, even if the horse is later disqualified. This means that you can receive your payout as soon as the race has finished, rather than having to wait for any potential appeals or disqualifications to be resolved. It is important to note that First Past the Post only applies to win bets, and not each-way bets.
New Horse Racing Betting Sites
LiveScore Bet
On LiveScore Bet, you’ll find a wide range of horse races from around the world, including exotic ones such as Chile and Brazil. It offers live streaming of all UK and Ireland races, as well as some races from France and South Africa. In addition, a small preview with a tip from Racing Post is provided in the race window. BOG, Extra Places, and insurance for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places are available.
Virgin Bet
This site is essentially a duplicate of LiveScore Bet. It offers a lot of races with live streaming, as well as the same BOG, Extra places, and If 2nd/3rd/ falls bonus (however, 4th place is not insured here). Whether to play on LiveScore, Virgin, or both is a matter of personal preference. Virgin has a light color scheme, while LiveScore has a dark one.
Parimatch
Parimatch is also a decent choice, but it doesn’t make it into the top tier under any circumstances. It offers a good selection of races, but fewer than the best horse racing bookmakers. There are also live streams, but to watch them, you need to place a bet on the selected race for at least £1. There is also a lack of promotions for horse racing betting. Currently, there are only enhanced odds on a four-horse accumulator and a refund if your horse does not run.
List Of New Horse Racing Betting Sites
- Bar one racing
- Fafabet
- FanTeam
- Bwin
- Dr Bet
Horse Racing Betting Apps
Mobile apps of horse racing betting sites in the UK are incredibly necessary as they offer a host of features that enhance the betting experience.
Firstly, horse racing betting app allows for quick and easy access to online bookmakers, helping you to place horse racing wagers instantly from anywhere, anytime. This is especially useful for horse racing bettors who may want to place a bet just before a race starts.
Furthermore, many betting apps offer live streaming services, allowing you to watch the race unfold in real-time, without having to leave the app.
In addition, betting apps often come with push notifications about upcoming races, promotions, and other important updates. This feature is perfect for horse racing punters who are always looking for an edge and want to stay informed about the latest events.
Top 5 Horse Racing Betting Apps
Bet365 app
Bet365 tops the charts with superb horse racing coverage, boasting the best odds on British and Irish races. You’ll find unique features like videos of previous races, improving your betting experience. While the visuals aren’t flashy, the vast selection, bet boosts, and Cash Out options make Bet365 a must-have for horse racing punters and other bettors alike. Additionally, the Bet365 horse racing betting app features the best notification system.
- Coral
- Ladbrokes
- VirginBet
- William Hill
Horse Racing Betting Offers & Promotions
To keep existing players engaged and willing to continue wagering loyally at their horse racing betting site, the bookmakers regularly offer horse racing punters all sorts of different bonuses and promotions. Some promos are fantastic value, and others are a bit of a waste of time, we will analyse various types below and explain why that is so.
We will tell you which horse racing betting sites provide certain promotions. However, we should note that there is a bookmaker that offers all types of horse racing bonuses at once. That is Quinnbet.
Best Price Promise
A ‘best price’ means that the odds are guaranteed to be at least as good as rival horse racing betting sites in the UK. Each ‘price promise’ will vary in terms of which horse racing betting sites are odds matched and for what time period but it is most common to offer to match the top four high street brands Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, William Hill, but there is no rule that it must.
Bet365 promise to match the other market leader’s Horse Racing odds.
Best Odds Guaranteed
Best Odds Guaranteed as we have mentioned already does not mean that the odds will be the best, instead it means that the odds you accept as EP will definitely be at least as good as the SP odds should the horse drift before the race starts. It is normally applicable to bets placed on the day of the race but there are some variations to this so check carefully the terms of the bookmaker you are using.
Best odds guaranteed is the most popular promotion for horse racing among UK horse racing betting sites. You can find this horse racing offer from dozens of online bookmakers. BOG usually covers all British and Irish races. Take any horse racing betting site from our top list – they will have such a promotion. The only difference may be in the start time of accepting bets.
From 8 am, BOG is provided by Bet365, Unibet, and Paddy Power. This is the earliest start time for the promotion.
Extra Place Offers
Each horse race will have an industry standard number of Each Way places depending on how many horses are running in the race (and the type of race). Some online horse racing betting sites will offer to pay out for horses that finish outside the official places as a winning place bet. It is most common to have one extra place added but some sites like Skybet and BetFred will often add two extra places. For extra special horse races like The Grand National, we have seen up to six or even seven places offered. One of the easiest horse racing tips to follow is to check the places being offered Each Way on Grand National bets and make sure you wager with the horse racing betting sites offering the most.
Betfred offers extra places on horse racing every day.
Run For Your Money Refund
It is never nice to lose without ever having a chance to win! Some horse racing betting sites have taken that into account and offer customers their money back if the horse loses all chance before even having a run. This is not an event that happens often but when it does you will be furious that you did not bet with a bookmaker that covers you in such an eventuality.
BetVictor ensures you do not lose your horse racing bet without ever having a chance.
First Past the Post (Double result)
Equally upsetting is seeing a winner not get paid out because of a Stewards inquiry after the race has finished. It is always reassuring to know that you can cheer on a winner and celebrate 100% when your eyes see your horse finish first because you have bet at a bookmaker who pays ‘First past the post’ as well on the official result.
FPTP is offered by horse racing betting sites such as 888Sport and Geoff Banks. At 888Sport, you’ll also receive a payout for double result – meaning, if your horse was not placed, but was later awarded a place by the judges.
Boosted Odds
To draw their own customers to the horse racing betting area, the best horse racing bookies will often boost the odds of particular horses in certain feature races and then advertise that on the homepage. This is normally very good value to bet on and a maximum stake amount will be put in place because of this.
Odds boosts are available with several online horse racing betting sites. For example, William Hill and 32Red. BetWay offer horse racing boosts every day.
Refund if 2nd, 3rd, or 4th
Some horse racing betting sites will refund stakes either as Free bet credits or as cash if a horse does not win but does come close. How close they will have to come will vary from betting site to betting site and promotional offer to promotional offer but it is most common to be if your horse finishes 2nd. Some particular horse racing betting sites might refund if your horse is 2nd or 3rd and even 2nd, 3rd or 4th.
This promotion is not rare and you can claim it by playing with many UK horse racing betting sites. In particular, such an offer is available at VirginBet, Unibet, and Paddy Power.
The difference may be in the number of places. VirginBet and Unibet insure the second and third places, while Paddy Power also insures the fourth place.
Refund if 2nd to SP Favourite
A variation of the general refund if 2nd offer is the much more common and nothing like as good “refund if 2nd to the SP favourite”. There are a few reasons why this offer is nothing like as good and they revolve around the fact that it is incredibly unlikely to ever pay out. Firstly you can not have a qualifying bet if you have bet on the SP favourite because you can not finish 2nd to yourself. Secondly the SP favourite will not necessarily win and could easily be 3/1 so you are in effect placing an Exacta bet with approximate betting odds of your horse finishing second multiplied by the SP favourite winning. This is improbable.
You can find such a promotion, for example, at BoyleSports.
Loyalty Betting Club
It is common for a horse racing betting site to offer some kind of loyalty or rewards club to reward their existing customers who continue to place horse racing bets long after they have signed up. The exact details of these clubs will vary a lot but the basic principle will always be the same, the more you bet the more you get!
In SkyBet Club, you can receive weekly rewards of your choice: either a £5 Free bet for any sports or a £6 Free bet for horse racing. To qualify for the reward, you must place bets of at least £30.
Prediction Games
This is a competition where you don’t place bets, but simply try to predict the results of several races. For example, Paddy Power offers all of its customers to participate in such a competition for free. You must name five winning horses. The competition is held every week. The maximum prize you can win is £25 000.
Bet Bundles
This is a promotion from Coral bookmaker. You pay £5 and receive 5 bets of £2 each for horse racing. These bets are limited to certain areas. For example:
- £2 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2.15pm Sandown)
- £2 Any ITV Race
- £2 Any Sandown Race
- £2 Win Multiple (2+ selections)
- £2 Any Horse Racing Special
Thus, in the end, you are betting £5 of your own money and an additional £5 from the bookmaker.
Horse Racing Welcome Offer
This is like any other welcome offer, but to claim it, you must place a bet specifically on horse racing. For instance, BetVictor offers new customers three horse racing Free bets of £10 each for placing their first £10 bet on horse racing. Unibet offers new bettors cashback up to £40 for their first horse racing bet with odds of 2/5 or greater.
Horse Racing Betting Odds
Horse racing betting odds represent the likelihood of a particular horse winning a race. They are set by online bookies, who consider factors such as the horse’s form, the competition, and track conditions. Odds also include a margin, allowing sports betting sites to make a profit. Understanding betting odds is essential for making informed decisions in horse racing betting.
In the UK horse racing betting market, the average margin typically falls between 15% and 20%.
Horse racing odds, unlike many others such as football or tennis, cannot simply be inserted into a margin calculator and the bookmaker’s margin calculated within seconds. Therefore, to compare the odds of the top UK bookmakers, we present below comparative tables with odds for British, American, and Australian races. You will be able to assess for yourself where it is more profitable to place bets and how significant the difference in odds is between different horse racing betting sites.
United Kingdom
28.04.2023 Perth, 17:00 | William Hill | 888Sport | Bet365 | Coral | Betfred |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Haribo Collonges | 4/1 | 4/1 | 9/2 | 4/1 | 4/1 |
Eden Mill | 9/2 | 4/1 | 5/1 | 9/2 | 9/2 |
Euchan Falls | 13/2 | 13/2 | 13/2 | 6/1 | 6/1 |
The Bandit | 15/2 | 8/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 |
Pats Dream | 8/1 | 9/1 | 15/2 | 7/1 | 15/2 |
Dr Shirocco | 9/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 17/2 | 17/2 |
Ginger Pointe | 11/1 | 12/1 | 14/1 | 11/1 | 11/1 |
Velasco | 12/1 | 12/1 | 11/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 |
Rory And Me | 12/1 | 12/1 | 11/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 |
Sanosuke | 12/1 | 12/1 | 14/1 | 11/1 | 12/1 |
Minella Youngy | 14/1 | 14/1 | 10/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 |
Nights of Doyen | 40/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 |
Silver Vision | 100/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 |
As we can see from this table, the odds offered by the leading British bookmakers for horse racing are generally quite similar. The odds at Bet365, William Hill and 888Sport are slightly higher on average than those at Coral and Betfred. Bet365, which promises the best prices on British races, offers the highest odds for two favorites – Haribo Collonges and Eden Mill, as well as for middle-tier horses Ginger Pointe and Sanosuke. This is partly offset by lower odds for other participants, namely Velasco, Rory And Me and especially Minella Youngy. The choice of the best odds will depend on which specific horse you want to bet on. Pats Dream will give the most money if you bet on it at 888Sport, while Rory And Me and Velasco will give the same profit in all bookmakers except Bet365, where the odds are lower. However, for most participants and, most importantly, for the two main favorites of the race, the best odds are offered by Bet365, making it the preferred choice in terms of odds for the majority of bettors.
France
28.04.2023 Chantilly, 15:20 | William Hill | 888Sport | Bet365 | Coral | Betfred |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kamiyah | 5/6 | SP | 8/11 | 4/5 | 8/11 |
Montjica | 4/1 | SP | 5/1 | 4/1 | 4/1 |
Dark Zel | 7/1 | SP | 8/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 |
Kleora | 10/1 | SP | 12/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 |
Morgana | 11/1 | SP | 12/1 | 11/1 | 11/1 |
Lady Regent | 12/1 | SP | 14/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 |
Hadya | 12/1 | SP | 14/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 |
Zahyana | 20/1 | SP | 22/1 | 20/1 | 20/1 |
Dayina | 25/1 | SP | 28/1 | 25/1 | 25/1 |
In this French race, William Hill has slightly higher odds on the favorite, but Bet365 leads in all other eight horses. Therefore, the advantage of this bookmaker in terms of average odds is even more significant than in the British race. WH, Coral, and Betfred provide exactly the same odds for all horses except the favorite Kamiyah, while 888Sport stands out in a negative way – they only offer Starting Price for this race.
South Africa
28.04.2023 Perth, 17:00 | William Hill | 888Sport | Bet365 | Coral | Betfred |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caitlyns Boy | 5/2 | SP | 5/2 | 5/2 | 5/2 |
Slim Jannie | 4/1 | SP | 7/2 | 4/1 | 4/1 |
Queen’s Wood | 13/2 | SP | 15/2 | 13/2 | 13/2 |
Notorix | 13/2 | SP | 9/1 | 13/2 | 6/1 |
Beckoning Beauty | 7/1 | SP | 15/2 | 7/1 | 7/1 |
Kuznetsov | 8/1 | SP | 8/1 | 15/2 | 8/1 |
Victory Of Dubai | 9/1 | SP | 9/1 | 9/1 | 9/1 |
Uncle Ticky Bird | 11/1 | SP | 12/1 | 11/1 | 11/1 |
Russian Empire | 16/1 | SP | 20/1 | 16/1 | 16/1 |
Jaquar Cat | 16/1 | SP | 16/1 | 16/1 | 16/1 |
Modern Magician | 18/1 | SP | 16/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 |
Persica | 40/1 | SP | 50/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 |
Isn’t It Bliss | 40/1 | SP | 50/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 |
In this South African race, the best odds are once again offered by Bet365, with some small exceptions: the favorite Caitlyns Boy is rated at 5/2 here, as in all other bookmakers, and the odds on the second favorite Slim Jannie and the third-to-last Modern Magician are slightly lower than their competitors. However, the odds are significantly higher on two outsiders, and slightly higher on most middle-of-the-pack horses. Thus, based on the comparison of three races, Bet365 is the clear leader in terms of average odds on the race.
Coral almost completely copies William Hill odds, and the same goes for Betfred, except they cautiously add a little extra margin by lowering the odds on one of the middle-of-the-table horses. In this South African race, Betfred slightly underestimated the odds on Notorix compared to its competitors, and Coral did the same on Kuznetsov. In the British race, both sports betting sites set lower odds on Euchan Falls and The Bandit.
888Sport once again did not offer an Early Price for the race.
Consequently, William Hill takes second place in terms of average odds on horse racing.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites for Live Streaming
Live streaming is a crucial feature for horse racing betting. If we compare horses to other sports, such as football, even if you don’t have video, you can at least follow the progress of the match on a graphic scheme. In horse racing, there is nothing like that. If a race is not being broadcasted, you have no idea what is happening on the track, and it is unlikely that you will enjoy this race. Therefore, live streaming of horse races is one of the main features that we pay attention to when evaluating online betting sites for horse racing betting.
The number of streams you can watch on the site depends on the bookmakers and their streaming capabilities. Some sports betting sites may offer only a few streams, while others may offer a wide range of races to choose from.
To be able to watch horse racing on a bookmaker’s platform online, you will typically need to have an active betting account and be logged in to your account. Some sports betting sites may also require you to have placed a bet on the race you wish to watch in order to access the live stream. However, most bookmakers allow their customers to watch races live for free, as long as they have a funded account or have placed a bet within a certain timeframe.
The best betting sites in the UK for horse racing betting offer a multitude of streams and do not require bets or even a positive balance for this service. To watch, you only need to be a registered user.
In our opinion, the best betting sites in terms of live streaming are Bet365, William Hill, 888Sport, Unibet and Betfair.
Horse Racing Bet Types You Should Know
There are various types of horse racing betting, ranging from simple bets on the winner of a race to more complex bets that require predicting multiple outcomes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular horse racing bet types.
Win
This is the simplest type of bet, where you wager on a particular horse to win the race outright. Although the odds are lower compared to other horse racing markets, it is a popular choice for casual bettors who are looking for low-risk online betting options. However, some professional bettors like John Cutts prefer multiples, as it allows them to win big by betting a small amount.
Place
In this market, you bet on a horse to finish in the top two or three places, depending on the size of the field. The odds are lower compared to the win market, but the chance of winning is higher.
Winning Distance
Bookmakers face a challenge when there is a clear favourite to win a horse race, with odds of 1/8 or shorter. In such cases, betting on the favourite does not make sense for most people who typically wager small amounts. Additionally, no one would bet on the other horses as they are not likely to win. To attract bettors, sports betting sites may offer horse racing odds that are at least even money by giving the favourite horse a handicap. In other words, bettors can bet on whether the horse will win by a certain distance, such as “over 2 lengths” or “over 6 lengths,” with the bookmakers usually selecting a distance that makes the odds between Evens and 2/1. This approach attracts more bets and makes the race more exciting for everyone involved.
Head to Head
In this market, you choose which of two specific horses will finish ahead of the other, regardless of their final position in the race. Head-to-head betting is often used to add excitement to a two-horse race, where the outcome is highly predictable.
Each Way
This is a combination of the win and place markets, where you bet on a horse to both win and place. If your horse wins, you receive a payout on both bets, while a place finish pays out at a fraction of the odds. Although it’s an attractive type of bet, betting sites typically exclude it from bonus programs, as it gives the bettor the best chance of winning anything.
Exacta (or Perfecta)
This market involves betting on the first two horses to finish the race in the exact order. Although it is more challenging to win, the rewards can be significant.
Quinella
In this type of bet, the bettor selects two horses to finish in the top two positions, regardless of which one finishes first or second. The bettor wins if both horses finish in the top two, regardless of their order of finish.
Trifecta
Similar to the exacta, but this time, you need to predict the first three horses to cross the finish line in the correct order. It’s a tough horse racing market to win, but the payouts can be huge.
Superfecta
This market requires you to pick the first four horses to finish the race in the correct order.
Horse Races Types
Flat Racing
In flat racing, horses race on a level surface, with no obstacles. This is the most common type of horse racing in the world. Races can be run on turf, dirt, or synthetic surfaces, and typically range in distance from five furlongs (about 1000 meters) to two miles (about 3200 meters).
Jump Racing
Also known as National Hunt Racing, this type of horse racing involves jumps or obstacles that horses must clear. This includes steeplechases, where horses race over a course that includes jumps and water obstacles, and hurdles, where horses jump over a series of smaller hurdles. National Hunt Racing is most popular in the UK and Ireland.
Harness Racing
Also known as Standardbred racing, this type of horse racing involves horses pulling a two-wheeled cart called a sulky. The horses race at a specific gait, either trotting or pacing, and must stay in their designated gait throughout the race. Harness Racing is popular in North America, Europe, and Australia.
Endurance Riding
In endurance riding, horses race over long distances, typically between 25 and 100 miles, and the first horse to cross the finish line is the winner. This type of racing requires a high level of fitness and stamina from both the horse and rider, and is popular in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
Quarter Horse Racing
This type of racing involves a short distance race, typically a quarter of a mile or less, and is popular in North America. Quarter horses are known for their speed and agility over short distances, and races often include a straightaway run to the finish line.
Arabian Horse Racing
This type of racing involves purebred Arabian horses, and is popular in the Middle East and Europe. Races can be run on both flat and endurance courses, and Arabian horses are known for their stamina, speed, and endurance.
These are just a few examples of the different types of horse racing that exist around the world. Each type of racing has its own unique characteristics and attracts different types of horses, trainers, jockeys, and fans.
UK, Irish & International Horse Racing Events
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day event held annually in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. It features several championship races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The festival attracts a large audience and is considered the highlight of the National Hunt racing season.
Grand National
The Grand National is a famous horse race held each year at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is one of the most challenging steeplechases in the world and is run over a distance of 4 miles and 2½ furlongs. The Grand National is one of the most-watched horse races globally and has a long history dating back to the 1800s.
Epsom Derby
The Epsom Derby, also known as the “Investec Derby,” is a Group 1 flat horse race held annually in early June at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, England. It is one of the most prestigious races in the world and is open to three-year-old thoroughbred horses. The racecourse is famous for its unique course layout, which includes the famous Tattenham Corner.
Royal Ascot
The Royal Ascot is a five-day event held annually in June at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England. It is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world and features several group 1 races, including the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and the King’s Stand Stakes. It is also well known for its formal dress code, with ladies wearing elaborate hats and dresses and men wearing top hats and morning suits.
Irish Derby
The Irish Derby is a Group 1 flat horse race held every year at the Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland. It is open to three-year-old thoroughbred horses and is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs. The Irish Derby is one of the most significant and big races in Ireland and has a rich history dating back to 1866.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race held annually at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. It is one of the most famous horse races in the world and is open to horses aged three years or older. The race is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs and attracts some of the best horses from around the world.
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is a Group 1 handicap horse race held annually in November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. It is one of the most popular horse races in Australia and is open to horses aged three years or older. The race is run over a distance of 3,200 meters and is famous for its carnival-like atmosphere and the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday.
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes horse race held every year in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. It is open to three-year-old thoroughbred horses and is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs. The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious and big races in the world and is known as the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” It attracts a large audience and is considered the highlight of the American horse racing calendar.
Online Horse Races Betting Strategies and Tips
- Analyse Horse and Jockey Form: Pay close attention to the past performances of both horses and jockeys. Use resources like Racing Post or other dedicated publications to get reliable data on their track records. An informed racing punt gives you a better chance of spotting a winning horse.
- Compare Horse Racing Bookmakers: Don’t stick to just one online betting site! Browse various horse racing online betting platforms and compare their odds. Finding the best odds for your chosen race is crucial to maximising your potential winnings.
- Use Betting Promotions: Horse racing betting sites offer promotions such as Best Odds Guaranteed, Extra Places, and Refund 2nd and 3rd Place. Use these horse racing betting offers to your advantage, as they can boost your potential winnings or even provide some insurance for your qualifying bets.
- Explore Different Horse Racing Markets: Don’t limit yourself to the standard win and each-way horse racing markets. Horse racing match betting, for example, allows you to wager on which of two horses will finish ahead of the other, regardless of their overall position in the race. Expanding your horizons can open up new opportunities for winning bets.
- Stay Informed with Horse Racing Live Streaming: Many online horse racing sites offer live streaming services, enabling you to watch races in real-time. This can be useful for getting a feel for the race conditions.
- Consider Irish Horse Races: While British racing may be your bread and butter, don’t neglect Irish horse races. They often have competitive fields and can provide a different betting experience. Plus, it’s always good to broaden your racing knowledge.
- Learn from Horse Racing Betting Tips: There are plenty of experienced punters and tipsters who share their knowledge online. Follow their horse racing betting tips to gain insights into the races and refine your own horse racing betting strategy.
- Use the Kelly Criterion. The Kelly Criterion, named after John Larry Kelly Jr., is a money management strategy used by bettors to determine the optimal bet size based on their perceived edge over the bookmaker. The primary goal of using the Kelly Criterion is to maximise the growth of your betting bankroll while minimising the risk of ruin.
Here’s the formula for the Kelly Criterion:
Kelly % = (BP – Q) / P
Where:
- Kelly % is the percentage of your bankroll you should wager;
- B is the decimal odds of the bet, minus 1;
- P is your perceived probability of winning the bet;
- Q is the probability of losing the bet, which is 1 – P.
Let’s break it down with an example:
Suppose you’ve found a bet on a horse race at odds of 5.00 (4/1 in fractional odds) and you believe the horse has a 30% chance of winning the race. In this case:
B = 5.00 – 1 = 4 P = 0.30 Q = 1 – 0.30 = 0.70
Plugging these values into the Kelly formula:
Kelly % = (4 * 0.30 – 0.70) / 4 = (1.20 – 0.70) / 4 = 0.50 / 4 = 0.125
So, according to the Kelly Criterion, you should wager 12.5% of your bankroll on this particular bet.
It’s important to note that the Kelly Criterion doesn’t guarantee a winning bet; it only suggests the optimal bet size based on your perceived edge. Additionally, some bettors may find the suggested bet sizes too aggressive, so they often use a “fractional Kelly” approach, where they wager a fixed fraction (e.g., 1/2 or 1/4) of the recommended bet size.
Betting Sites for Horse Racing FAQs
What is the Best Betting Site for Horse Racing?
It’s very difficult to choose just one best betting site, and we recommend not limiting yourself so strictly. There are many good online betting sites in the UK for horse racing betting. Here are just a few of the very best: Bet365, William Hill, 888Sport, Betfair, Coral, Tote, Quinnbet, LiveScore Bet, Unibet, Betway.
What is the Most Profitable Bet in Horse Racing?
There’s no one single best bet. Your results depend on how well you understand the world of horse racing and how thoroughly you analyze the form of the horses and jockeys. Depending on the horse racing betting strategy you choose, the best bets can be Win, Each Way, or even more complex betting options such as Tricast.
What Bookie Has the Best Horse Racing Odds?
On average, Bet365 offers the best odds. This bookmaker will give you the highest price on most horses. However, it makes sense to compare the numbers of different online bookmakers before placing a bet because another sportsbook may offer the best odds for individual horses. For example, William Hill, whose odds are also very good.
What Payment Methods are Available at the Betting Sites for Horse Racing?
The vast majority of the licensed UK bookmakers offer betting on horse racing. To make a deposit, you can use a variety of payment methods. The main ones are Visa and Mastercard, which are accepted by all UK horse racing betting sites. Additionally, many allow deposits to be made using Skrill, Neteller, and paysafecard. Other payment methods are encountered from time to time. You can find out about them in the special FAQ section of your chosen bookmaker or directly when making a deposit.
What are the Most Popular Horse Racing Events?
Here are the most exciting events in horse racing: Cheltenham Festival, Grand National, Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot in the UK, Irish Derby, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France, Australian Melbourne Cup, and Kentucky Derby in the USA.
What are the Most Popular Horse Racing Betting Markets?
The most popular horse racing betting markets include win, place, and each-way bets. Win bets are simple, with punters selecting the horse they believe will win the race. Place bets involve picking a horse to finish in the top two or three positions. Each-way bets combine win and place bets, with punters betting on a horse to win or place in the race.