UK horse racing betting is big business for the bookmakers in Britain. In this comprehensive guide, Sportslens.com tells you everything you need to know about the top horse racing betting sites including details of offers and promotions, strategies and horse racing tips for successful gambling and who the main players are.
Top Horse Racing Betting Sites in the UK
- All
- Horse Racing
Bet £10 Get And £40 in Free Bets
Bet £10 Get And £40 in Free Bets
- Newly Launched UK Bookie
- 10 weekly Profit Boosts on horses
- Best Odds Guaranteed on day
Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets
Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets
- Daily horse racing specials
- Plenty of ante post markets
- Each-Way Plus promotion
50% of First Day Losses Back As a Free Bet Up To £25
50% of First Day Losses Back As a Free Bet Up To £25
- 4 free bet refund deals
- Up to £100 back on promos
- BOG from 7am on racedays
Get 50% Of Your Money Back As A Free Bet If Your Horse Finishes 2nd In Any Live ITV Race
Get 50% Of Your Money Back As A Free Bet If Your Horse Finishes 2nd In Any Live ITV Race
- Great Greyhound coverage
- Offers easy Build-a-Bet
- Physical shops available
Get £50 in Free Bets When You Bet £10
Get £50 in Free Bets When You Bet £10
- Established horse racing bookie
- Great bonuses for system bets
- Extra Places races every day
Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets
Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets
- Weekly Free Acca Bet
- Live Football Streaming
- Cash Out Feature
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
- Spread free bets include horses
- Fixed odds and buy / sell option
- Aggregate markets also available
Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets
Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets
- Tote+ enhanced dividends
- Pool betting with SP guaranteed
- Free horse racing live streaming
Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet
Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet
- Swift For Cash Out
- Simple Betting App
- Make Fast Withdrawals
Bet £10 Get £15 Free Bet
Bet £10 Get £15 Free Bet
- Top welcome package
- Great VIP program
- Various payment methods
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites UK Ranked
These are the best horse racing betting sites in the UK right now:
- BetMGM – Our top choice with great offers and price boosts
- BetUK – Dedicated horse racing Free Bet Club offer
- Betfred – The Bonus King horse racing betting site in the UK
- Bet Goodwin – Free Bet Refunds From Newbies
- LiveScoreBet – Weekly free acca bet
- PixieBet – Cash out function available
- Spreadex – Back horses to win by distances
- Tote – Pool betting horse racing bonus
- Luckster – Simple betting app
- Mr.Play – Great VIP program
- Midnite – With fast withdrawals
- RhinoBet – BOG on all Irish & UK races
- 10bet – Daily free bet promotions
- Virgin Bet – 3/1 winner bonus every day
- Boylesports – Plenty of horse racing offers
- DaznBet – Regular price boosts
- QuinnBet – Live stream horse racing for free
- bet365 – Top racing promotions
- Mr.Mega – In-play options with good functionalities
- Betway – Daily boosted offers
- Netbet – Above average odds on racing
- SportingIndex – Cashback available
- Vegasland – Good bet-builder
- HeySpin – Offers early cash-out
- ZetBet – 77% more extra winnings on your Zet Boost wins
- 888Sport – Handy tools and great offers
- 21LuckyBet – New sportsbook
- Bet Goodwin – Free Bet refunds galore
- Tebwin – Excellent live betting functions
- Kwiff – 2nd Place Refund promotion
- William Hill – Plenty of horse racing promotions
What’s on This Week in Horse Racing in the UK & Ireland
The week commencing on Monday, 23 September in British Isles horse racing builds to the Cambridgeshire Meeting at Newmarket. Across the Irish Sea, meanwhile, it’s the Listowel Harvest Festival and the Autumn Racing Weekend at the Curragh.
Midweek sees the Kerry National take centre stage on Wednesday, 25 September. The following day is the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel. Thursday, 26 September is also when the Cambridgeshire Meeting kicks off.
The best of the action there is on Saturday, 28 September, with two Group 1 juvenile races. These are the Cheveley Park Stakes and Middle Park Stakes. The Cambridgeshire Handicap is the big betting race at Newmarket.
As the Harvest Festival draws to a close, the Autumn Racing Weekend starts at the Curragh with two valuable Sales races and the Group 2 Beresford Stakes for juveniles. Sunday, 29 September has the Irish Cesarewitch as the main event.
The table below contains all the graded and Listed events taking place in the UK and Ireland this week, plus other valuable handicaps and conditions races down to Class 2 level. There are also any events broadcast live on ITV Racing on terrestrial television, so you know what’s on where and when.
| Race | Type of Race | Class of Race | Distance | Where | When |
| John McGuire Handicap | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Premier Handicap | 1m 4f | Listowel | Monday, 23 September |
| Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes | 2yo Flat Race | Listed | 6f | Fairyhouse | Monday, 23 September |
| Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes | 3yo+ Flat Race | Listed | 1m 1f | Listowel | Tuesday, 24 September |
| Eddie And Violet Smith Conditions Stakes | 3yo+ Flat Race | Class 2 | 5f | Beverley | Tuesday, 24 September |
| Juddmonte British EBF Maiden Stakes | 2yo Flat Race | Class 2 | 1m 2f | Goodwood | Wednesday, 25 September |
| Simonini Handicap (0-105) | 4yo+ Flat Handicap | Class 2 | 1m | Goodwood | Wednesday, 25 September |
| Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow David Whitaker Handicap Chase | 4yo+ Handicap Chase | Class 2 | 3m | Perth | Wednesday, 25 September |
| Linsell Group Foundation Stakes | 3yo+ Flat Race | Listed | 1m 2f | Goodwood | Wednesday, 25 September |
| Guinness Kerry National | 4yo+ Handicap Chase | Grade 3 | 3m | Listowel | Wednesday, 25 September |
| British EBF £100,000 2YO Fillies’ Series Final | 2yo Flat Race | Sales Race | 7f | Goodwood | Wednesday, 25 September |
| British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (0-105) | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Class 2 | 6f | Newmarket | Thursday, 26 September |
| Somerville Tattersalls Stakes | 2yo Flat Race | Group 3 | 7f | Newmarket | Thursday, 26 September |
| Jockey Club Rose Bowl | 3yo+ Flat Race | Listed | 2m | Newmarket | Thursday, 26 September |
| Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle | 4yo Handicap Hurdle | Listed | 2m | Listowel | Thursday, 26 September |
| Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai British EBF Rosemary Stakes (Fillies & Mares) | 3yo+ Flat Race | Listed | 1m | Newmarket | Friday, 27 September |
| Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes (Fillies & Mares) | 3yo+ Flat Race | Group 3 | 1m 4f | Newmarket | Friday, 27 September |
| MCG Handicap Hurdle | 5yo+ Handicap Hurdle | Listed | 2m | Listowel | Friday, 27 September |
| Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes (Fillies) | 2yo Flat Race | Group 2 | 7f | Newmarket | Friday, 27 September |
| Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes | 3yo+ Flat Race | Group 2 | 1m | Newmarket | Friday, 27 September |
| Download Vickers.Bet App Fixed Brush Hurdle Series Final | 3yo+ Handicap Hurdle | Class 2 | 2m 4f | Worcester | Friday, 27 September |
| Visit RacingTV.com Nursery | 2yo Flat Handicap | Class 2 | 5f | Haydock | Friday, 27 September |
| Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes | 3yo+ Flat Race | Listed | 1m 4f | Newmarket | Friday, 27 September |
| Diamond Stakes | 3yo+ AW Flat Race | Listed | 1m 2.5f | Dundalk | Friday, 27 September |
| British Stallion Studs EBF Jersey Lily Fillies’ Nursery | 2yo Flat Handicap | Class 2 | 7f | Newmarket | Saturday, 28 September |
| Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Colts & Geldings) | 2yo Flat Race | Group 2 | 1m | Newmarket | Saturday, 28 September |
| Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (Fillies) | 2yo Flat Race | Group 1 | 6f | Newmarket | Saturday, 28 September |
| Montane Developments Beresford Stakes | 2yo Flat Race | Group 2 | 1m | Curragh | Saturday, 28 September |
| My Pension Expert Handicap (0-105) | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Class 2 | 5f | Haydock | Saturday, 28 September |
| Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (Colts) | 2yo Flat Race | Group 1 | 6f | Newmarket | Saturday, 28 September |
| SBK Premier Handicap | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Premier Handicap | 5f | Curragh | Saturday, 28 September |
| Ashton Handicap (0-105) | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Class 2 | 1m | Haydock | Saturday, 28 September |
| bet365 Cambridgeshire | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Heritage Handicap | 1m 1f | Newmarket | Saturday, 28 September |
| Goffs Million | 2yo Flat Race | Sales Race | 7f | Curragh | Saturday, 28 September |
| Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap (0-105) | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Class 2 | 6f | Ripon | Saturday, 28 September |
| Smokey Joe Juvenile Hurdle | 3yo Hurdle Race | Class 2 | 2m 0.5f | Market Rasen | Saturday, 28 September |
| Blandford Bloodstock Maiden Fillies’ Stakes | 2yo Flat Race | Class 2 | 7f | Newmarket | Saturday, 28 September |
| The Goffs 500 | 2yo Flat Race | Sales Race | 6f | Curragh | Saturday, 28 September |
| Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Chase | 4yo+ Handicap Chase | Class 2 | 2m 6f | Listowel | Saturday, 28 September |
| Lope Y Fernandez Handicap (0-105) | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Class 2 | 7f | Newmarket | Saturday, 28 September |
| Ferry Ales Brewery Prelude Handicap Hurdle | 3yo+ Handicap Hurdle | Class 2 | 2m 0.5f | Market Rasen | Saturday, 28 September |
| Betfred Derby Wild Card EBF Conditions Stakes | 2yo Flat Race | Class 2 | 1m 0.5f | Epsom | Sunday, 29 September |
| Weld Park Stakes (Fillies) | 2yo Flat Race | Group 3 | 7f | Curragh | Sunday, 29 September |
| SBK Renaissance Stakes | 3yo+ Flat Race | Group 3 | 6f | Curragh | Sunday, 29 September |
| Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch (0-110) | 3yo+ Flat Handicap | Premier Handicap | 2m 1f | Curragh | Sunday, 29 September |
A Closer Look at the Top 6 UK Horse Racing Betting Sites
When you are betting on horse racing in the UK, you should ideally take your punts with one of the best online bookmakers. We have all the details that you need to know about the top dogs. Read on as we look in depth at Britain’s best betting sites for horse racing today:
1. 888Sport – So much to offer on Horse Racing
Without a doubt one of the best online horse racing betting sites in the UK, 888Sport have so much to offer if this is your sport. From handy tools like BetFinder, which helps you pick out horses, and BetFeed that shows you popular and trending punts, to the many promotions available. Each Way + provides enhanced place terms on certain races every day. Double Result, meanwhile, guarantees you a payout on the first past the post and any amended result.
You can also Watch and Bet on all British and Irish horse races, plus stream the best of the action from Australia, France and the USA. Back a winner at 4/1 (5.00) or bigger, and receive one £5 free bet per day on 888Sport. With a wealth of both domestic and international races to bet on, they really have it all. As horse racing online betting sites go, this is one of the best.
What we like:
- Top UK horse racing bookie
- BetFeed and BetFinder tools
- Each Way + gives extra places
- Watch and Bet from 5 countries
- Double Result deal covers you
What we don’t:
- 4/1 Winner bonus just once a day
- Sportsbook layout could be better
2. Betfred – Industry Big Boys & The Bonus King of Horse Racing
Another of the top horse racing betting online platforms is Betfred. Backed by land-based betting shops the length and breadth of Britain, this firm is one of the established elite when it comes to internet gambling. Horse racing plays a big part at “The Bonus King” with so many offers available. Chief among them are popular promotions like Free Bet if 2nd and Extra Place Races for those punters who like to play each way.
What sets Betfred apart from other top UK horse racing betting sites is their deals on system and combination bets. Their All Correct Bonuses are paid in cash and provide you with bonus winnings on Yankees, Canadians, Heinz wagers and Lucky bets like Lucky 15, 31 and 63. The One Winner Bonuses are some consolation too. With a full horse racing betting service covering all major events around the globe, Betfred are one of the big boys.
What we like:
- Heavyweights of British betting industry
- All Winner Bonuses add extra value
- Extra Places and Money Back if 2nd
- Regular horse racing specials on site
- Complete service for this sport available
What we don’t:
- Slow to put up tomorrow’s international markets
- More overseas ante post betting would be nice
3. Bet Goodwin – Free bet refunds from newbies
One of the new betting sites in the UK, Bet Goodwin cover horse racing in a big way. They have quite a few free bet refund promotions open to all customers. These return your stake up to £100 in the form of a bonus if your horse loses by a nose, if leading and falling at the last over jumps, if beat less than half-a-length in a chase and if coming second to a 50/1 shot or bigger priced runner. Bet Goodwin are also Best Odds Guaranteed on all UK and Irish action from 7am on race days.
Besides horse racing odds and markets every day for the action in the British Isles, Bet Goodwin have prices from North and South America, Hong Kong and Japan and events in the Middle East. There are good ante post option on all the big future festivals and meetings too. The only thing missing really is live streaming but we’re sure Bet Goodwin will add this in time.
What we like:
- New UK horse racing bookmaker
- Several Free Bet refund deals
- Great range of ante post bet
- BOG from 7am on race days
- Simple welcome offer
What we don’t:
- No live streaming available
- Menu could be better
4. Kwiff – New and intriguing British bookie
As new kids on the block, Kwiff are one of the new horse racing betting sites UK punters can wager on. While they establish themselves in the region and industry, there are encouraging signs. Kwiff includes horse racing in their weekly Loyalty Club offer. This provides a novel, additional £10 in surprise bets to go with a guaranteed £10 cash bonus when you wager at least £250 on accas. This is great if you like placing trebles or accumulators.
Kwiff also have more traditional horse racing promotions on their sportsbook too. These include the 2nd Place Refund deal if your horse finishes runner-up to the SP favourite. As Kwiff also pays out on the First Past The Post regardless of horse racing results amended by a steward’s enquiry, you are covered either way. With markets across multiple countries, this is a strong start from these newbies as they build their profile.
What we like:
- New UK horse racing bookmaker
- Loyalty Club great for accas
- 2nd Place Refund returns stakes
- First Past The Post covers you
- International horse racing markets
What we don’t:
- No ante post horse racing markets
- Best Odds Guaranteed needed
5. Tote – Pool betting experts
If pool betting like the placepot bet appeals, then the Tote offer a major alternative to regular fixed odds betting on horse racing. Founded way back in 1928, they are Britain’s biggest parimutuel betting outlet. Payouts are called dividends and, through Tote+, punters receive enhanced returns. There is also the Tote Guarantee, which pledges to match the regular fixed odds starting price (SP) no matter how popular a horse is among the pool.
On top of that, all Tote customers can get weekly horse racing free bet up of up to £10 when you place 6x Racing Pool bets of £2, £5 or £10 the previous week. There is also horse racing live streaming available free of charge. New customers have a bet £10 and get £30 in free bets deal too. Back horses to win and place in races, exotics like Exactas and Trifectas, and in multiples like Quadpots and Tote Jackpots.
What we like:
- Match SP guarantee
- Bigger dividends with Tote+
- Win, Place & Exotic pool bets
- Free horse racing live streaming
- Recharge £10 free bet weekly deal
What we don’t:
- Doesn’t offer fixed odds bets
- No Best Odds Guaranteed
6. Boylesports – Feel the passion for horse racing
Although Boylesports are an Irish bookmaker, they have a major presence in the online marketplace in Britain. When it comes to horse racing betting sites UK punters use, this firm does well because they have lots to offer. From their Acca Insurance and Loyalty Bonus for those who place multiples to Extra Place races, daily horse racing specials and more, this sport is a major part of what Boylesports is all about.
They also run the Free Bet if 2nd to the SP Fav deal seen on other top horse race betting sites too. Featured meetings appear on the right-hand side of the Boylesports sportsbook. There are also handy tabs to navigate through Highlights, Race Cards, Specials, Virtuals and even Antepost horse racing betting markets. This puts Boylesports among the best in class.
What we like:
- Acca Insurance and Loyalty includes horses
- Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav runs every day
- Clever layout and design of section
- Daily horse racing specials available
- Extra Place races on offer each day
What we don’t:
- More international antepost markets needed
- Virtual racing prominent on section page
How We Rank the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
The top horse racing online betting sites all have similar qualities, so how do trusted experts at Sportslens.com rank them? A safe and secure gambling environment is paramount, but that goes for any general sports betting platform. Here, we show you the key factors that helped us separate the wheat from the chaff:
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Horse Racing Offers
It can be among your expectations that the best horse racing betting sites in Britain will have offers and promotions specific to the sport. Many have become familiar to seasoned punters such as Money Back or Free Bet if 2nd deals, Extra Place races for each way betting enthusiasts and daily specials. A top bookie also pays out on First Past the Post but also any amended result following a steward’s inquiry. With their incredible system and combination bet offers, Betfred are definitely one of the best sites for promotions relating to British horse racing.
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Types of Bet
Any sportsbook just offering the basics of win only and each way on horse races certainly isn’t going far enough. You should have a vast range of wagers at your disposal. A top site provides Match betting between two horses, place only, without the favourite, fallers insurance, distance betting, ante post markets and even Tote or pool betting through parimutuel services that works differently to regular fixed odds. At Ladbrokes all this and more like bets in running are available.
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Horse Races Covered
Even though our concern is with British horse racing here, the sport is obviously huge on a global scale. It’s not simply enough for a top betting site to cover the main UK races and events like the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National and Royal Ascot. Markets on big races abroad are as essential as the bread and butter of daily domestic betting. You should look out for ante post horse racing betting odds for major overseas action including the Melbourne Cup in Australia, Breeders’ Cup in the USA and big races closer to home in France and Ireland. William Hill takes a strong look at the global picture.
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The Best Odds
Everyone wants the top price on any bet they place, not just horse racing wagers. Almost all bookies provide the Best Odds Guaranteed on British and Irish races for punts taken on the day. The top sportsbooks must go further and ensure competitive ante post prices, or like Bet365 issue a Price Promise to be the industry leader in terms of odds once final declarations are known. That way you know you are getting real value.
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Special Features
Streaming horse races that you bet on live has become an important part of the gambling experience. Results services are good but actually seeing how your fancy gets on is better. Top bookies not only have this but handy tools and even horse racing betting tips from experts to help you find winners. When it comes to these special features, 888Sport has plenty to offer you in terms of live streams and its BetFinder and BetFeed tools, plus all the picks from horse racing ratings brand Timeform.
Key Features of Top UK Sites When Betting on Horse Racing
You may be wondering more about the key features a top sportsbook in the UK should have when it comes to horse racing betting provision. The table below shows whether or not our 10 best sites for this sport tick all the boxes:
| Bookie | Each Way Specials | Cashout | Live Streaming | Best Odds Guaranteed | Acca Offers |
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Horse Racing Betting Strategy That Works
Alongside horse racing betting in the UK, it is important to have a strategy in place before you start wagering. Many so-called systems are billed as foolproof, but the fact is that you will still lose from time to time. What a good horse racing betting strategy does is help you make better informed decisions ahead of taking a punt. It should also help you find winners more often than not. Here are some of the most popular:
Each Way Betting
This may seem obvious, but each way betting mitigates the risk of a horse racing bet losing to some extent. Rather than just wagering on an outright win, you can cover yourself and still get a return if your horse finishes in a place. The horse racing betting terms on offer for places will either be a quarter or a fifth of the win price depending on the number of runners and race type.
Any horse racing with fewer than five runners won’t have each way betting. However, those with five to seven horses in them pay a quarter of outright odds for two places. Eight or more in a conditions race is a fifth for three places. If the race is a handicap and has between eight and 11 runners, then the terms are the same. Handicaps with 12 to 15 horses competing are a quarter for three places. For those handicap races with 16 or more runners, bookies pay four places at a quarter of outright odds.
With so many of the best online horse racing betting sites offering extra place races, each way wagers come recommended. Enhanced place terms extending the above make things more favourable for you. You just have to make sure that the fraction of the odds you take aren’t so small that you would lose money based on your total stake in the event of getting a return.
Dutching
Ever heard of hedging your bets? That’s precisely what Dutching is all about. Many horse races are incredibly competitive, where it is easy to make cases for several winning. In this situation, it is not a wise horse racing betting strategy if you put all your eggs in one basket. You can always bet on two or more horses in the same race.
You must accept that there can be only one winner, or in the event of a dead heat you receive half of your stake to the full SP on both horses involved. When favourites win on average about a third of the time, then the second favourite in a fifth of races and third in the betting around 15% successful, you can cover two-thirds of the likely potential outcomes in a race. All you have to do is back them all.
It would be even better strategy wise to combine Dutching with each way bets. You may end up getting the winner and a placed horse both yielding profit in that instance if luck is on your side. Remember to net off losing win parts of each way wagers when horses place. Dutching should serve you well in some of the biggest British horse races every year.
Beaten Favourites
As noted above, the favourite only wins horse races around a third of the time. That does not mean they will disappoint again, however. There may be reasons why a horse loses despite being the most fancied. It may have endured a troubled passage through the race. If there is a wall of horses in front of it, there’s no way through. Going or distance may not have suited the horse either. Race terms such as penalties, sex allowances or weight for age might have been against it.
You should not simply give up on a horse just because it didn’t meet market expectations on one occasion. The bookmakers will probably put it in the market at bigger odds for its next race. Close study of the conditions, surface, terms and trips may actually suggest the horse can give a better account of themselves. Keep this particular strategy in your back pocket.
Horse Racing Exchange Betting
You may have heard of betting on the exchanges in relation to horse racing. This is where the serious and experienced punters place their bets. Unlike fixed odds, this is what they call peer to peer betting. An exchange like Betfair or Smarkets will charge commission for facilitating your wagers. You can both back horses to win or for a certain number of places but also lay horses to lose if you don’t fancy them.
As the above shows, exchanges show you where the money is going. Big sums of money, over £400,000 in total, are wagered on big Group 1 races like the Nunthorpe Stakes at York during the Ebor Festival. The different exchange markets are listed along the top. Bets for a horse, the equivalent of backing them, are on the left-hand side. Wagers against a horse, also known as laying (and more on that below), are on the right.
Your proposed wager needs matching by another punter, but you can set the odds. That means you could end up winning more on the exchanges than you would through a fixed odds bookmaker better, despite the commission fees. On the downside, if you lose you end up owing money to the person who took your bet on. There are fewer exchanges than fixed odds betting sites, but the likes of Ladbrokes and Matchbook do provide this type of service too.
Horse Racing Lay Betting
When betting on the exchanges, the option to lay a horse can be very tempting. There may be genuine reasons why you don’t fancy horses for certain races. The ground or trip may not be right, or the race terms unfavourable. It is good that you have the option on the Betfair Exchange and Matchbook, for example.
Say you wanted to lay Golden Pal in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York. You click on the lay prices and find the backer’s odds you want to take. You can then match their stake and get your peer to peer bet on. There can be only one winner bar a dead heat, so laying has its advantages in that, if the horse finishes anywhere but first your wager comes off.
Laying the favourite could be a rewarding tactic on betting exchanges like Ladbrokes Exchange and Smarkets, because they only win races about a third of the time. That means on two out of three occasions they lose. It could prove profitable to do it, but just remember the risks attached with laying horses. Should it win, then you will owe the person whose back bet stake you matched money at the odds they set.
Top New Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
New horse racing betting platforms open to British customers more often than you might think. We shall come on to the established bookmakers in the UK later. You may be wondering what, if any, advantages there are in betting with a newbie. There may be a better sign up offer for new customers on offer.
If you have already joined or previously been a punter on big name bookies, then you can’t avail yourself of any welcome bonus. With a new kid on the block, you know for sure this is your first time. Check out the toplist of new bookmakers below:
- Kwiff – Supercharge your horse racing bets
- Parimatch – Backed up by BetVictor brand
- BetUK – Each Way Plus deal on horse
- Hollywoodbets – Great horse racing offers
- LiveScore Bet – BOG and live stream races
The Most Experienced UK Horse Racing Betting Sites
If betting on horse racing is new to you, then you may not be aware who some of the established British bookmakers are. These are four betting sites with so many years of experience behind them. Each started out as trackside bookies, then went into betting shops and later embraced the revolution in internet gambling.
Ladbrokes Horse Racing Betting – Bet £5 to Get £20
Through continuing sponsorship of the big staying handicap chase at Newbury, the Ladbrokes Trophy, horse racing has always been vital to this bookie. With Extra Place races every day attracting each way betting interest, they are major players in the British gambling industry. Ladbrokes horse racing betting remains a tour de force with live streaming also available on all the UK and Irish action.
William Hill Horse Racing Betting – Bet £10 to Get £40 in Free Bets and £10 Casino Bonus
We have already touched on William Hill horse racing betting on this page. Their daily Bet Boost gives you the chance to enhance the odds on one horse that you fancy. Their Pick Your Places and Lengthen Your Odds promotion is great for each way betting, putting you in control of the horse racing betting terms on offer. William Hill also have Extra Places every day, and they will always be held in high regard in the British betting industry.
Bet365 Horse Racing Betting – Get up to £100 in Bet Credits
At Bet365, they take horse racing betting very seriously. Although a product of the internet age, from humble beginnings in Stoke, they have risen to the very top. Their Each Way Extra deal allows you to take more or fewer places. Bet365 are also one of the fastest bookies for issuing the Best Odds Guaranteed, and have many other offers tied in with horse racing broadcast on terrestrial TV through ITV Racing. Their terrific welcome bonus is perfect for signing up to during a major festival in this sport too.
Coral Horse Racing Betting – Bet £5 to Get £20 Free Bets
The Coral horse racing betting on offer can be geared around some of their major sponsorships. From the Coral-Eclipse on the Flat at Sandown Park over the summer to the Coral Welsh Grand National after Christmas, Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and Coral Scottish Grand National in the spring, they sponsor both big conditions and handicap races. Coral are also known for being one of the fastest online bookies to offer Best Odds Guaranteed following final declarations. They too have Extra Place races on a daily basis, and remain stalwarts of the betting sector in the UK.
Top UK Horse Racing Betting Markets to Bet On
The top horse race betting sites in the UK all offer a great range of different markets. You will find the most popular of bet types with British bookies listed below:
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Win
Many people like to keep things simple and bet on the outright winner of the horse race. This bet pays out on the First Past the Post, an amended result following a steward’s inquiry or in the event of a dead heat half your stake to the full SP. With their Price Promise promotion, Bet365 are among the best for betting on a win.
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Each Way
Betting each way is popular because it mitigates the risk of losing. There are two wagers in one here, so your unit stake doubles. You back a horse both to win and for a place. The precise nature of the place terms offered by bookies varies depending on the type of race and number of runners. Top UK horse racing betting sites like 888Sport will have extra place races each and every day, giving you every incentive to put wagers on.
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Without the Favourite
There are times when the favourite is such a short price that there is little value siding with them. That horse may well win the race, but if you cannot even double your money what is the point. In such circumstances, betting without the favourite becomes a popular alternative. Here, if your fancied runner beats the favourite and wins the race or finishes second to it, then the bet pays out. Among the top bookies, Betfair has generous without the favourite markets.
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Matches (Head to Head)
A match bet in horse racing is where you wager on one named horse beating another. Your fancy doesn’t have to win the race, just finish in front of its rival. This is popular when two horses have a history of meeting, and the weights may have swung in one’s favour. Horse racing match betting is part of the service that William Hill provides.
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Ante Post
There are pros and cons to betting on horse racing ante post, yet it remains popular. Taking a punt in advance almost guarantees you better odds as fancied runners shorten up following final declarations and on the day of the race. However, you cannot bet ante post in conjunction with bookmaker offers. You also are not guaranteed a run for your money. Again, Bet365 offers a great range of ante post betting odds.
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Accumulators
Although not quite so popular as on top football betting sites, accumulators or accas for short still have their place in horse racing. From doubles and trebles to more complex bets, all legs must win or place if you go each way to receive a return. That can be tricky to pull off, yet the odds are multiplied ensuring massive profit if you pull it off. Among the top bookies for horse racing accas are QuinnBet as they run a specific bonus.
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Combination and System Bets
More complex still are Combination and System wagers, which are multiples like accumulators but covering singles, doubles, trebles and up. There are many combinations, hence the term, yet to gain a return some only need one or two horses to win. The undisputed kings of horse racing system bets are Betfred, who reward your bravery in placing them with bonus deals and extra winnings.
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Specials
As with any other sport, there are special bets you can place on horse racing. From the Flat Trainers’ Championship to the Irish National Hunt Jockeys’ Title, favourites indexes, and combined winning distance wagers, there is plenty relating to individual meetings and the season as a whole to take a punt on. These sorts of specials and more can be found on Coral where they are popular.
The Best Horse Racing Betting Online Offers
All the best betting sites for horse racing have great offers. From welcome bonuses that new customers can use on the sport to other promotions, it is good for you to know what the top deals you can get are. Let’s take a look at the best in class for horse racing betting offers:
1. QuinnBet – Acca Bonus
Accumulators may be most popular with football nowadays, but they have their roots in horse racing. QuinnBet knows this and offers free bet bonuses as a winnings percentage up to £50 when you place doubles, trebles and accumulators. If there are two legs to your bet, then the bonus is 2%. For a treble, it is 5%. Fourfold accas is 10%, while on fivefolds and up you get 20%. Just make sure the minimum odds of each leg at 3/10 (1.30) to get the Acca Bonus.
2. Betfred – All Correct Bonuses
With system and combination bets, Betfred proves worthy of its “Bonus King” status by providing you with additional winnings in cash. Lucky 15s and Yankee bets come with a 10% bonus, while Lucky 31s and Canadians have double that at 20%. If you’re really bold and place a Lucky 63 or Heinz on horse racing, then it’s 25% additional winnings. Remember, each of your selections must run and win to get All Correct Bonuses.
3. Betfair – My Odds Boost
Enhancing the price you can get on a horse is a classic bookmaker offer, but Betfair puts you in control. You can increase the odds and potential profit for the one you fancy, instead of the bookies putting forward the one they want you to bet on. My Odds Boost gives you the next recognised industry price up from the current Betfair sportsbook fixed odds price. You can stake up to £25 using it and must have bet within the last 30 days to receive it.
4. William Hill – Pick Your Places
At William Hill, the Pick Your Places promotion allows you to add or take away places for each way betting on horse racing. If you reduce the number of places, then you can Lengthen Your Odds. This offer only applies to bets struck on UK horse races after 10am on the day of the race. Pick Your Places is for each-way single wagers only. If there are non-runners, then standard industry terms may apply to your bet.
5. 888Sport – 4/1 Winner
Many bookies have a winner bonus, but 888Sport extend theirs to horse racing. Once a day, if you back a winning horse at odds of 4/1 (5.00) or bigger after staking at least £10, you get a £5 free bet on top of your winnings. You must claim your free bet within 3 days, but it should be awarded on your successful wager being settled. The free bet expires after 7 days.
Key Horse Racing Betting Terms Explained
You will come across lots of industry specific terms when you wager online. No horse racing betting guide would be complete without a glossary. Read our list below, so you are in the know:
All-Weather
Horse races don’t all take place on turf or dirt but also a range of artificial surfaces that can be used during the winter. All-Weather racecourses in the UK use tapeta, fibresand and polytrack. These are manufactured using rubber as a base so that moisture from rain gets absorbed.
Allowances
Within conditions races, there are certain allowances given to horses in particular circumstances. Three-year-olds on the Flat always get weight for age from their elders. Over jumps, it is the same for four-year-olds racing outside of their generation. Fillies and mares also get sex allowances in open company against colts and geldings. This is more generous under National Hunt Rules at 7lb, with only 3lb received on the Flat.
Blinkers
There is headgear that trainers can put on racehorses which helps them to concentrate while they are running. Blinkers, as their name suggests, shield a horse’s eyes from what is going on around them. This should in theory help them to run straighter and wander about less.
Cheekpieces
Another item of headgear, these allow a racehorse more peripheral vision than blinkers yet still block other runners from view on either side of them. A trainer may try cheekpieces before resorting to blinkers, or just to sharpen a horse’s performance up after wayward signs on previous races or in their work on the gallops.
Classics
Age restricted races to three-year-old colts and fillies in the UK and Ireland. Classics, which include the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, The Derby and the St Leger have vital importance for the future of thoroughbred breeding. Winners of these races or their Irish equivalents are virtually guaranteed to have careers at stud or as broodmares depending on their gender.
Colt
A male horse aged between two and four who remains entire is called a colt. This applies to any horse who doesn’t have a gelding operation before the age of five. Thereafter, entire colts are simply referred to as horses.
Dead Heat
Where two or more horses cannot be split in a photo finish by the judge for determining places. In horse racing betting terms, the result of a dead heat is bookmakers paying out on both (or more) at half your stake wagered to the full SP.
Favourite
The favourite is the horse with the shortest price available with the bookmakers for a particular race. Some favourites can be strong in that they may be odds-on, and others weak.
Filly
A female horse aged between two and four is called a filly. As three-year-olds, fillies can contest Classic races like the 1000 Guineas and The Oaks in the UK, plus their Irish equivalents.
Fixed Odds
The betting odds offered by bookmakers are called Fixed Odds. These may be different from but based on the prices available on the exchanges.
Furlong
All horse races in the UK and Ireland are measured in miles and furlongs. There are eight furlongs in a mile. Horse races on the Flat in the British Isles range from five furlongs up to almost two-and-three-quarter miles. Jumps races in the UK and Ireland vary from about two miles to four-and-a-quarter miles.
Gelding
Any male horse that has undergone a gelding operation is called a gelding. This is common in National Hunt horses, so that their reproductive organs don’t get in the way while jumping hurdles or steeplechase fences, but also among older Flat horses not wanted for breeding.
Handicap
Horse races where the official ratings of the assessor, the British Horseracing Authority handicapper, determine the weights carried. In handicaps, every other horse is relative to the top weight and its official rating. There may be weight for age allowances in handicaps, but fillies and mares do not receive sex allowances.
Juvenile
Defining what a juvenile horse is depends on the code of horse racing in the UK and Ireland. On the Flat, juveniles are two-year-olds. Over jumps, this term applies to horses aged three at the start of the National Hunt season who turn four midway through the campaign.
Mare
Any female horse aged five and over is called a mare. It is more common to see mares kept in training in the National Hunt code than on the Flat.
Non-Runner
Any horse that is withdrawn for any reason following final declarations and horses coming under starter’s orders for a race is called a Non-Runner. Taking a horse out of the race, even at the last minute, can cause the market to change.
Rule 4
A Rule 4 deduction is one of Tattersalls Rules of Racing, which states that if a horse is withdrawn from a race at odds of 14/1 (15.0) or shorter, then a deduction of so many pence in the pound sterling (GBP) applies to any bets struck after final declaration. The shorter the price a runner was before being taken out, then the greater the deduction in increments of 5p (£0.05).
SP
The industry abbreviation for Starting Price. These are the odds that a horse was sent off in the race with fixed odds bookmakers. SP used to be calculated based purely through on-course betting but this changed to consider an aggregate of leading online bookmakers. It is also referred to as the price a horse returned at.
Where to Get the Best Horse Racing Betting Odds
Everyone wants top horse racing betting odds when they place their wages. The Best Odds Guaranteed promotion is almost universal among British bookies, yet some bring this into effect earlier than others. Here are three of the best for horse racing early betting odds today:
Top 3 Horse Racing Betting Sites UK for Best Odds Guaranteed
- Bet365 – Get up to £30 in bet credits
- Coral – Bet £5 to Get £20 in free bets
- 888Sport – Bet £10 to Get £30 in free bets
Top Horse Racing Betting Sites With Live Streaming
Now a key part of the gambling experience, live streaming the horse that you bet on is something that any of the best betting sites for horse racing should provide. Certainly all UK and Irish horse races should be available to stream, so here are the top dogs when it comes to watching the action live:
| Bookmaker | Requirements for horse racing live stream | Visit bookie |
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UK, Ireland, France, USA and Australia, all for free | Watch Now |
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UK, Ireland, France, USA, Australia Watch & Bet deal | Watch Now |
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UK, Ireland, France, USA, Australia, Brazil, Dubai, India, Singapore, South Africa must have funded account or bet within the last 24 hours | Watch Now |
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Betting TV 1 and 2 has free live UK and Irish horse racing | Watch Now |
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Positive account balance or place bet within the last 24 hours | Watch Now |
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UK and international races must have funded account, Ireland place a £1 bet to qualify | Watch Now |
Our Horse Racing Betting Guide to Big UK Meetings and Races
There are some huge horse races and meetings in the UK throughout the year that people like to bet on. Whether it is a Group or Grade 1 feature race, a valuable and prestigious handicap or an entire festival, there is something for everyone in the horse racing betting community. The table below lists 10 of the biggest events with more details about the top three underneath:
| Race or Meeting | Course | Type | Distance(s) | When | Level |
| Cheltenham Festival | Cheltenham | National Hunt | 2m to 3m 6f | March | 14 Grade 1 races |
| Grand National | Aintree | National Hunt | 4m 2f | April | Grade 3 handicap chase |
| Guineas Weekend | Newmarket | Flat | Rowley Mile | May | 2 Group 1 Classics |
| Derby Festival | Epsom Downs | Flat | 1m 4f | May/June | 3 Group 1 races including 2 Classics |
| Royal Ascot | Ascot | Flat | 5f to 2m 5f | June | 8 Group 1 races |
| Glorious Goodwood | Goodwood | Flat | 5f to 2m 4f | July/August | 3 Group 1 races |
| Ebor Festival | York | Flat | 5f to 2m | August | 3 Group 1 races |
| St Leger Festival | Doncaster | Flat | 5f to 2m 2f | September | 1 Group 1 Classic |
| British Champions Day | Ascot | Flat | 6f to 2m | October | 4 Group 1 races |
| King George VI Chase | Kempton Park | National Hunt | 3m | December | Grade 1 steeplechase |
Cheltenham Festival
For four days each March, the best jumps horses in the UK and Ireland compete at the Cheltenham Festival. This is the top National Hunt meeting in the British Isles with key races including the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself. There are many top level novice hurdle races and novice steeplechases during the Festival too.
Grand National
As the world’s most famous steeplechase, the Grand National captures public attention in a way like no other horse race. It has often been said that two-thirds of the UK adult population bet on the Aintree marathon, a handicap chase over 30 famous fences and a gruelling 4m 2f in April. Whether you really study the form, or just like the name and colours a horse carries around the Liverpool venue, the National is part of the British sporting consciousness.
Epsom Derby
As the premier Classic and most valuable horse race in the British Isles, The Derby on Epsom Downs has its own special place in sporting history. The best three year-old-colts and fillies compete there over the first weekend in June. While the females tackle The Oaks, it’s all about the Epsom Derby for the boys over 1m 4f and a guaranteed career at stud for winning it. This is a big day. Epsom Derby betting develops as many Classic trials throughout the spring take place.
Royal Ascot
The Queen at the races? This is why horse racing is called the sport of kings, and Her Majesty is often in attendance at Royal Ascot. From the royal procession before racing begins each day to the eight Group 1 races on the track, this is the premier Flat festival in the British Isles with good reason. For five days each June, the best thoroughbred from the UK, Ireland and beyond do battle in Berkshire. There are now 35 races to bet on at Royal Ascot every year.
The Ultimate Horse Racing Betting Tips
Betting on horse racing remains so popular, but what about tricks of the trade? If you are something of a novice, then you may not know how the pros and seasoned gamblers go about making the most of their punting. Read on below as we reveal our top horse racing betting tips that can help you:
Get Your Bets on Early
The sooner you place your horse racing wagers, the better. There is an old saying about the early bird catching the worm. In gambling terms, taking horse racing early betting odds may provide you value that is denied to others later. If you get on quickly, then it may be before gambles start developing. Playing ante post comes with risks but, if you are prepared for the long game, then the rewards – namely, greater profit – are there.
Be a Student of Form
Horse racing isn’t one of those sports where you can wing it and expect to be successful sadly. You need to arm yourself with as much data as possible, so you can reach an informed decision. Studying stats, trends and form can help you. After all, this is precisely what the best horse racing tipsters do before making their selections. It won’t guarantee that you have bet on the winner, but you are so much more likely to find it than without doing it. Study shouldn’t be seen as a chore, but a tool that helps you when betting.
Look for Each Way Value
It is great backing a winner, but there are times when there is no value in doing so. Each way alternatives are always something to consider. Remember, the favourite only wins about a third of the time on average, so it pays statistically to look beyond for something else. Successful betting isn’t just about winning, it is also about not losing. Unless there are fewer than five runners, lookout for an each way angle when betting on the horses.
No Sense in Betting on Everything
The reality is that you won’t be able to find the winner every time you bet on horses. Some races are just too difficult or wide open to have a serious wager on. One of the keys to successful betting is knowing when not to bet. If the odds aren’t in your favour, or no obvious candidate emerges from the field, then it’s probably best left alone. There is always another day to bet, but only if you gamble responsibly and don’t bet on everything.
For more on horse racing tips today, we’ve got expert picks aplenty right across SportsLens. These cover the sport of kings in the UK, Ireland and beyond on a daily basis from all sorts of angles. Every single one of our experts’ tips are free to see as that’s the way it should be.
From our very best bet, the NAP of the Day, to Spreadex analysis and the latest from big names in the world of horse racing, it’s all available here. These are great sources of value bets – and hopefully winners too. We’d encourage you to make regular visits to SportsLens to see what we put up, as there’s something for everyone.
Not only are there the NAP, spread betting angles and picks from high-profile tipsters but free Lucky 15 tips for today for those punters who like combination and system bets too. These put four of the best bets together on one betslip, giving you the chance to win big off a small stake.
The Last Word
That is about all for our look at horse racing betting. From great offers and deals to famous races, tips and strategies, you should know a lot more about wagering on this sport than when you arrived on this page. As with anything, when betting on horse racing betting sites in the UK, do so sensibly. It can be tougher to find winners than in other sports where there are only two or three outcomes, so remember that and stake accordingly.
Our Top Rated UK Horse Racing Betting Site
Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets
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