Horse racing has a huge history in the world of betting. Meetings including the Grand National, Cheltenham Festival and Kentucky Derby feature on horse racing betting sites, along with daily races from around the world.
The possibility of backing the winning runner and rider is hugely appealing, with horse racing betting being more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The following horse racing betting sites offer a host of options surrounding the sport, including a variety of markets, bet types, features and bonuses.
Contents
- 1 Our Recommended Horse Racing Betting Sites
- 2 How We Rank the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
- 3 Most Popular Horse Racing Betting Markets & Odds
- 4 Horse Racing Terms Explained
- 5 Online vs Offline Horse Racing Betting: Pros & Cons
- 6 Our Recommended Bookmaker for Horse Racing Bets
- 7 Most Popular Horse Racing Events to Bet on
- 8 Horse Racing Live Streaming
- 9 Bottom Line on Horse Racing Betting
- 10 FAQs
Our Recommended Horse Racing Betting Sites
- Bookmaker
- Features
- Claim Free Bet
- Best odds guaranteed on UK & Irish races
- Live horse racing streaming available
- Easy to use betting site
- Horse racing live streaming available*
- Generous welcome bonus
- Excellent mobile app
- Huge number of horse racing markets
- Vastly experienced bookie
- Best odds guaranteed on horse racing from UK & Ireland
- Extra places on some horse races
- Daily virtual horse racing markets
- Large number of free bet promotions
- Live horse racing streaming available
- Money back horse racing specials
- Hugely entertaining bookie
- Beaten by a head insurance offer
- Daily virtual horse racing markets
- Excellent bookie for mobile betting
- Rewarding free bet club
- Live horse racing streaming
- Generous horse racing odds
- Dedicated page for horse racing markets
- Horse racing betting tips available
- Mobile app for iOS and Android users
- Excellent virtual horse racing markets
- Hundreds of races available daily
- Host of additional features
How We Rank the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
In order to separate the best horse racing betting sites from the rest, our experts take into account a number of factors. As a result, punters can rest assured that the bookies listed above score highly in the following areas:
- Safety – As always, safe betting is our no.1 priority. All recommended horse racing betting sites are licensed and regulated in the UK. On top of this, all important security measures and features are in place.
- Markets – It is not just the standout races that are available to bet on. The best horse racing betting sites cover meetings from the UK & Ireland on a daily basis, along with races from other courses from around the world.
- Odds – Odds comparison sites make it easy to see which bookies offer the best horse racing prices. Punters backing winners should earn good winnings, whether they were the favourite or an outsider.
- Live Streaming – Live streaming is crucial for any horse racing betting site. Watching races in which you have bet on is hugely exciting, especially when you have backed a winner. Streams are available on both desktop and mobile.
- Promotions – Best odds guaranteed, faller insurance, money-back specials and enhanced winnings are some of the promotions in which punters will come across on the best horse racing betting sites.
- Mobile – Bets on races should be available anytime and anywhere via your mobile device. Bookies may well offer a dedicated app, while others will optimise their betting site for mobile browsers.
- Support – For times when assistance is needed, support should be available 24/7. Via telephone, email and live chat, support agents will ideally be accessible in seconds.
Most Popular Horse Racing Betting Markets & Odds
When operating on horse racing betting sites, it is likely that punters will come across the following markets:
- Win – The most common method of betting on a horse race is staking on which runner and rider will win. Each entry is given a starting price, which can change in the build up to a race, based on a number of factors. In this instance, the horse in which you have backed must win in order for your bet to win.
- Each Way – When there are a number of high quality horses in a race, it may be worthwhile placing an each-way bet. This means that your stake will be split into two, with half going on the horse to win and the other half going on it placing. The number of each way places will depend on the specific bookie, however it is likely to be somewhere between 1-5.
- Head to Head – Some horse racing betting sites will allow punters to bet on the battle between two horses. Customers pick which horse they believe will finish ahead of the other.
- Distance – Similar to greyhound betting, when there is a clear favourite for an upcoming race, it may be rewarding to bet on them winning by a particular distance. Some horse racing betting sites offer this market, whether it be +20 lengths or a different distance. This is a good way to enhance the value for an overwhelming favourite.
- Ante Post – Ante post betting involves betting on a horse racing well in advance of when it is due to take place. Some horse racing betting sites introduce ante post markets 12 months in advance, almost as soon as the previous race has finished. Ante post odds are sometimes much more appealing than they are on race day. This is where best odds guaranteed promotions come into play too.
- Specials – Total winning distance, National Hunt Jockeys title and Favourites Index points are among the specials markets found on horse racing betting sites. Such markets offer something a little different to the traditional form of wagering on the sport.
- Live – Due to the nature of the sport, live horse racing betting is not available. However, many horse racing betting sites offer live streaming of races.
Horse racing betting odds are likely to be available to view in three different formats – fractional, decimal or American. The odds surrounding runners and riders can change on numerous occasions in the build up to a race. Factors such as recent form, weight and injuries can see prices change, while some horse racing betting sites offer best odds guaranteed. This means that punters placing winning bets will receive the best price, no matter when wagers were placed.
Horse Racing Terms Explained
Before you start staking on horse racing betting sites, it is important to understand the terms in which you come across. Below are some of the key horse racing terms and phrases to look out for:
All-Weather Racecourse – This is basically a synthetic surface that is used to deal with all conditions. Wolverhampton and Dundalk are two examples of such courses, where races can generally take place in all weather.
Blinkers – Blinkers is a form of headgear which blocks a horses view from both sides, meaning that they can only see what is directly in front of them. This is a useful tool for runners who can lose focus during a race.
Bridle – A bridle is another form of equipment used on the head of a horse, which makes it easier for jockeys to control their movement. If a horse does not have to move its bridle during a race then they have done well.
Classic – A series of flat races that take place throughout the season, with the Epsom Derby and 2000 Guineas being examples.
Handicap – Races where weights are used to offer entrants an equal chance of winning.
Form – The condition in which a horse is in ahead of an upcoming race.
Furlong – The measurement used in order to describe how long a race is, whether it be over 5 furlongs or over 3 miles and 1 furlong. 1 furlong equates to ⅛ of a mile.
Juvenile – A two year old horse
Mare – A female horse aged 5+.
Non Runner – A horse which has been withdrawn ahead of a race.
Trifecta – A bet in which punters select the top three finishers of a race in the correct order.
Under Wraps – When a jockey is intentionally stopping a horse from running at its top speed.
Online vs Offline Horse Racing Betting: Pros & Cons
While high street bookies are the preferred option for some platforms, horse racing betting sites are now more popular. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of online horse racing betting:
Pros:
- Convenient – Horse racing betting sites are hugely convenient. There is no need to leave the comfort of your own home.
- Markets – Almost all professional races from the UK & Ireland, along with other regions, can be bet on online. Meanwhile, punters can easily search markets in order to find appealing selections.
- Promotions – Betting online means that punters can take advantage of promotions. Welcome bonuses, best odds guaranteed, free bets and insurance offers can be found at horse racing betting sites.
- Odds – Punters can ensure that they are taking advantage of the best horse racing odds around. There is nothing stopping you signing up with a number of online bookies.
- Cash Out – Unlike in high street betting shops, the cash out feature is available online.
- Instant Winnings – Punters will receive their winnings instantly online, rather than having to visit their local bookie
Cons:
- Social – Betting online does not allow for any social interaction.
- Responsible Gambling – It is easier to bet irresponsibly when operating online, with horse racing markets being so easily accessible
Our Recommended Bookmaker for Horse Racing Bets
- Bookmaker
- Features
- Claim Free Bet
- Best odds guaranteed on UK & Irish races
- Live horse racing streaming available
- Easy to use betting site
Most Popular Horse Racing Events to Bet on
While meetings take place on a daily basis from racecourses from around the world, there are certainly some races which attract the attention of betting customers more than others. Below are some of the horse racing events to look out for during the year:
The Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day event which takes place annually, taking place each March and hosting races such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The Grand National
Part of the Aintree Festival is the Grand National, which is arguably the biggest horse race in the world. Taking place near Liverpool, the Grand National is the biggest prize in the sport, with millions of bets being placed on it. Horse racing betting tips surrounding the Grand National are always interesting to read.
Royal Ascot
Taking place over 5 days, Royal Ascot is a flat racing event which offers a prize pool of over £7 million. Connected to the British Royal family, Queen Elizabeth II is normally in attendance at the event.
Glorious Goodwood
Another leading thoroughbred event from the UK is Glorious Goodwood, known as one of the most glamorous occasions in the sport. The event takes place in July each year.
The Kentucky Derby
Taking place at the famous Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby is the biggest race from the United States. Referred to by some as the “Greatest two minutes in sport”, the Kentucky Derby is a flat race run over one and a quarter miles, competed in by three year old thoroughbreds. A total of $3 million in prize money is up for grabs.
The Melbourne Cup
The biggest race from Australia is the Melbourne Cup. Held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, the race takes place over a distance of 2 miles, with three year old thoroughbreds once again being involved. A$8 million is the total prize pool for the race.
Horse Racing Live Streaming
Live streaming is an important part of horse racing betting, with many bookies now ensuring that punters can watch meetings from around the world. Streams are available on both desktop and mobile in both cases, with races from across the UK & Ireland being found daily. With that being said, below are some of the best betting sites when it comes to horse racing live streaming, including how to access streams.
| Bookie | Live streaming qualify criteria | Visit site |
| Bet365 | Have a funded sports betting account or have placed a bet in the last 24 hours | Watch Now |
| William Hill | Qualifying bet worth at least £0.50 | Watch Now |
| Paddy Power | Funded sports betting account of at least £2 or qualifying bet | Watch Now |
| BetVictor | Qualifying bet worth £1+ | Watch Now |
| Ladbrokes | Positive account balance or have placed a bet in previous 24 hours | Watch Now |
Bottom Line on Horse Racing Betting
Horse racing is one of the most historic and prestigious sports around. However, all types of people now enjoy backing their favourite runners and riders, with horse racing betting sites having become hugely popular. Races can be bet on daily from courses around the world, with all of our recommended sites being nothing but 100% safe and reliable. So, check them out for yourself, before signing up and backing your favourites.
FAQs
How do I bet on horse races online?
There are a large number of horse racing betting sites available online today. Such platforms make betting on races easier than ever, while also delivering a host of markets and features.
What kind of horse racing bets can I place?
Popular horse racing bets include straight bets for runners to win or place, while exacta, trifectas, head to head and superfectas are also available. Bets placed should be determined by horse racing betting systems or strategies.
How can I watch horse races live?
Many races are shown on television in the UK. For times when they are not, races from the UK & Ireland can be streamed on horse racing betting sites. A small stake or funded account is required in order to gain access.
What is the minimum and maximum bets for horse racing?
The minimum and maximum bets accepted will differ between horse racing betting sites. However, bets are likely to start at around £0.10.
