Horse racing betting has a long history in the UK. Today, it is still one of the most popular sports for British people to bet on. This guide covers the top online places to bet, the different types of bets you can make, important events to watch, and some useful tips to help you make smarter choices when betting on horses.
The Top Horse Betting Sites In December 2024
- All
- Free spins
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
Top Rated |
Spreadex UK |
Bet £25, Get £50 in Bonuses |
Bet £25, Get £50 in Bonuses
|
Spreadex UK |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ begambleaware.org Plus Best Odds On All Premier League Matches (fixed odds Match Odds, pre-match v top 5 bookies on Oddschecker). See full details here. |
BetUK |
Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets |
Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets
|
BetUK |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
T&Cs apply. New cust only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. |
|
Kwiff UK |
Bet £10 Get £20 Surprise Bet |
Bet £10 Get £20 Surprise Bet
|
Kwiff UK |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £/€10. Qualifying real money bet of £/€10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer credited within 48 hours. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly |
|
Betgoodwin UK |
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
|
Betgoodwin UK |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
New customer offer only. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. If this promotion is withdrawn it will not impact any qualifying bet you have placed during promotional period |
|
Quinnbet UK |
Get 50% Back as a Free Bet up to £35 + 10 Free Spins |
Get 50% Back as a Free Bet up to £35 + 10 Free Spins
|
Quinnbet UK |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
If your account has Sportsbook losses at the end of your first day's betting, QuinnBet will refund 50% of your losses as a Free Bet up to £35 (min 3 bets) Plus 10 Free online casino spins at QuinnCasino. Even if your account is up, you're guaranteed a £5 Free Bet Plus 10 Free Spins provided you place at least 1 bet of £10 or greater at the minimum odds. T&Cs apply | 18+ New UK Customers Only | BeGambleAware.org | Gamble Responsibly |
|
10Bet UK |
100% First Deposit Bonus up to £50 |
100% First Deposit Bonus up to £50
|
10Bet UK |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
New bettors get 100% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded; See full terms |
|
Sporting Index UK |
Bet£10 Get £20 in free bets |
Bet£10 Get £20 in free bets
|
Sporting Index UK |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
Place a qualifying £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. A first free £10 fixed odds bet will be credited upon settlement of the qualifying bet. The second free £10 fixed odds bets will be added to your account on the following day. Free bets must be claimed within 28 days of opening. Free bet stake not included in any winnings. Ts&Cs Apply. 18+ begambleaware.org |
Top 10 Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
Check out those leading horse racing bookmakers that UK punters can bet with from the table above. There’s a mix of new and more established bookies in there. Many of these are also among the best betting sites UK bettors can wager with:
- Spreadex – Spread betting & fixed odds all in one
- BetUK – Dedicated weekly horse racing Free Bet Club
- Kwiff – Bookmaker that’s packed full of Surprise Bets
- Rhino Bet – Best Odds Guaranteed on UK & Irish races
- Betgoodwin – Money back as a free bet deals up to £100
- QuinnBet – Excellent range of horse racing offers on site
- 10bet – Get bonus winnings paid in cash on accumulators
- SBK – Take your horse racing mobile on exclusive app
- Sporting Index – Pays out to punters on Double Results
- Betstorm – 15% cashback up to £500 on your losses
UK Horse Racing Betting Sites Reviews
These are the top betting sites in the UK for horse racing, as highlighted by our experts, with more detailed reviews. Each site has something unique for bettors, whether it’s the variety of bets, tips, promotions, or another specialty. Explore the leading UK horse racing bookmakers online through these thorough reviews:
1. Spreadex – Spread Betting & Fixed Odds All in One
As one of the best horse racing bookies online today, Spreadex provides regular fixed odds betting from races all around the world side-by-side with spread bets on the same page. This even includes harness racing, plus events in South America. It gives you real choice over what to bet on and how you do it. Live stream all the action from the UK and Ireland, plus selected tracks from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA.
Unlike other online horse racing betting sites UK punters use, losses on Spreadex can be larger than your stake or deposit because of the nature of spread bets. Understanding that before you wager with them is really important. Besides paying out on the First Past the Post and any amended result, Spreadex also offers 2nd to a Rag Insurance when your fixed odds bets finish second to a 33/1 or bigger SP outsider.
Our experts also found more ante post markets than other Cheltenham betting sites for the Festival in March. Probably due to the unique nature of the gambling service that Spreadex provides, they don’t offer Best Odds Guaranteed on all UK and Irish races. They’re not the only UK horse racing bookmakers missing that from their promotions, though.
Welcome Offer | Bet £25 on Fixed Odds, Get £50 in Bonuses |
Minimum Deposit | £1 |
Maximum Withdrawal | £25,000 |
Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Bank Wire Transfer, Cheque |
Top Features | Android / iOS app, Ante post fixed odds markets, Horse racing spread bets, Live streaming. |
What We Like:
- Ante post betting on Cheltenham Festival
- Horse racing spread bets & fixed odds wagers
- Live stream races from at least 5 countries
- Pays First Past the Post on UK / Irish events
- 2nd to a Rag Insurance if beaten by 33/1+ shot
What We Don’t Like:
- Could offer more ante post markets
- No BOG in place for fixed odds bets
2. BetUK – Dedicated Weekly Horse Racing Free Bet Club
BetUK provides horse racing betting tips and insight from former top jockeys Kieren Fallon for the Flat and Peter Scudamore over jumps. Punters may find reading all about their fancies very useful indeed before placing wagers. Besides daily markets on horses competing across the globe, BetUK provides a strong range of ante post betting both in the British Isles and abroad.
Live streaming is also available for all UK and Irish races, plus selected events from overseas. BetUK runs a weekly Horse Racing Free Bet Club where £15 or more on singles and above at minimum odds of Evens (2.00) per selection qualifies you for a £3 token. While it’s great to bet on horses running in Dubai and Latin America, they could provide more promotions like other UK horse racing bookies online have.
Welcome Offer | Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets |
Minimum Deposit | £10 |
Maximum Withdrawal | Unlimited for GBP |
Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, PayPal |
Top Features | Android / iOS app, Ante post markets, Free Bet Club, Live streaming |
What We Like:
- Bet on horses running worldwide
- Kieren Fallon & Peter Scudamore tips
- Live stream races from 5 countries
- Strong range of ante post betting
- Weekly Horse Racing Free Bet Club
What We Don’t Like:
- Best Odds Guaranteed missing
- Lacks other horse racing offers
3. Kwiff – Bookmaker That’s Packed Full of Surprise Bets
Surprise, surprise! That’s what Kwiff is all about. This unique niche sets them apart from the rest of the online horse racing bookmakers UK punters bet with. You can get a Supercharged cash out paying plenty more than a bet is worth if you don’t want to see it through. Kwiff focuses on the here and now, so don’t expect to find any ante post betting on the horses across their platforms.
What they do have is a First Past the Post and Double Result guarantee for all UK and Irish races that has you covered whatever happens in a stewards’ enquiry. A selected meeting every day has every race on the card covered by Money Back as a Surprise Bet up to £10 if your horse finishes second to the SP favourite.
You can also bet and watch races from British Isles broadcast on Racing TV, plus check out live streams from India. Although that’s not quite so extensive, with a few more offers, Kwiff could be even higher on our experts’ list of the best horse racing betting sites UK punters wager on.
Welcome Offer | Bet £10, Get £20 Surprise Bet |
Minimum Deposit | £10 |
Maximum Withdrawal | Unlimited for GBP |
Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, ecoPayz |
Top Features | Android / iOS app, Live streaming |
What We Like:
- First Past the Post / Double Result
- Live streaming of selected horse races
- Money Back if 2nd to Favourite deal
- Surprise Bets & Supercharged Cash Out
What We Don’t Like:
- Lacks BOG & other promotions
- No ante post betting markets
4. Rhino Bet – Best Odds Guaranteed on UK & Irish Races
As new horse racing bookies in the UK go, Rhino Bet is an option you must consider. Unlike many of their rivals, including plenty that are more established in the industry, they offer Best Odds Guaranteed on all races in the British Isles. That gets them onside with punters pretty quickly.
Rhino Bet also neatly compartmentalises the ante post betting they have on the horse by month, which help give the section a less cluttered feel. They’re also a great choice if you like placing forecasts and tricasts on horse racing. Rhino Bet offers regular specials and enhanced prices but not a sports-facing new customer offer.
It’s only a matter of time before they have one, though, and other next steps for this brand include adding live streams. If building on their foundations and adding some more promotions, then we’re talking about one of the best new horse racing betting sites UK punters can wager with here.
Welcome Offer | Bet £25, Get £25 + 25 Free Spins |
Minimum Deposit | £10 |
Maximum Withdrawal | Unlimited for GBP |
Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer |
Top Features | iOS app, Ante post betting, BOG |
What We Like:
- Ante post betting by month
- BOG on all UK / Irish races
- Easy for forecast / tricast bets
- Specials & enhanced prices
What We Don’t Like:
- Lack of live streaming
- Needs a sign up offer
5. Betgoodwin – Money Back as a Free Bet Deals up to £100
Another of the new horse racing bookies available to UK punters, Betgoodwin have gone from telephone betting service to online site in some style. They have loads of offers specifically targeting this sport.
From Best Odds Guaranteed applying to bets struck on the day of the races, to money back as a free bet up to £100 deals when beaten by a nose or under half-a-length in a steeplechase, if falling at the last or finishing second to a 50/1+ outsider, these are great deals. On top of that Betgoodwin have a fine selection of ante post markets and lots of live streaming opportunities.
It’s truly global coverage of this sport with punters able to wager on horses in Japan and the Middle East, throughout the Americas and Pacific and closer to home. Betgoodwin really are one of the leading new UK horse racing betting sites around.
Welcome Offer | 50% Back as a Free Bet up to £25 |
Minimum Deposit | £5 |
Maximum Withdrawal | Unknown |
Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard |
Top Features | iOS app, Ante post betting, BOG, Live streaming |
What We Like:
- BOG on all UK / Irish races for bets on day
- Browse ante post betting markets by date
- Live stream horse races in many countries
- Many free bet horse racing offers available
What We Don’t Like:
- Most promos only apply to losing bets
How we Rank the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
There are certain things that horse racing bookies must have if they’re to be considered one of the top firms. Such key criteria goes into our experts’ thinking when they rank the sites available to British punters. Let’s take a closer look at these:
Best Odds
When you bet on anything, you obviously want the top prices most often. Leading UK horse racing betting sites have their own way of ensuring this. That is by offering the Best Odds Guaranteed, a promise which means you have your wagers placed on the day of the races settled at the starting price (SP) if that is a bigger than what you took. Rhino Bet provide punters with BOG on all UK and Irish meetings.
Extra Features
If you can bet on and watch horse racing all in one place, then that creates a more immersive gambling experience. Bookies that offer live streaming of UK, Irish and international races may even let you tune in for free, so long as you’ve got a positive account balance. Spreadex are particularly good when it comes to horse racing live streaming.
Other handy additional features that can help punters include providing tips from respected sources and big names. BetUK, for example, have Peter Scudamore and Kieren Fallon as brand ambassadors with the ex-jockeys providing their fancies on all the major meetings.
Horse Racing Events Covered
Full coverage of every meeting in the UK and Ireland throughout the year almost goes without saying as a starting point. The British Isles has some sort of horse race happening practically every day in the calendar. You need a horse racing betting site that can keep up with all the All-Weather and Flat fixtures, plus jumps action. Then there’s events overseas to think about.
As horse racing is such a global sport, top bookmakers let you wager on it in countries all over the world. From France and the USA to the Middle East, South America, and the Asia Pacific region, there’s always something going on. If there’s a big race happening somewhere on the planet, then you should be able to bet on it. Betgoodwin really impressed our experts with the breadth of their coverage.
Offers & Promotions
Horse racing is a big enough sport inextricably linked to gambling that it makes sense for the bookies to have specific deals relating to it. From paying out on First Past the Post and any Double Result to BOG, Extra Place Races and Money Back as a Free Bet if Second promos, these offers act as incentives for wagering. QuinnBet are well-known for their extensive range of horse racing promotions.
Types of Bet
There’s a whole range of markets that the best horse racing betting bookies UK punters wager with should make available to you for when you want to take a punt. Basic win only and each way bets don’t even scratch the surface. We’ll have more on bet types later but BetStorm get a thumbs up from our experts for providing all kinds of different ways to wager.
Key Features of UK Horse Racing Bookies Online
A visual comparison of what the best horse racing betting sites UK punters place their bets on have to offer can help you pick out the bookmaker that best suits your gambling needs. That’s why our experts created this easy to follow table looking at key features that all the best horse racing bookies out there need:
Bookies | Acca Offers | Ante Post Markets | BOG | Cash Out | Extra Place Races | Live Streaming |
Spreadex | ||||||
BetUK | ||||||
Kwiff | ||||||
Rhino Bet | ||||||
Betgoodwin | ||||||
QuinnBet | ||||||
10bet | ||||||
Betstorm | ||||||
SBK | ||||||
Sporting Index |
Best New Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
There’s plenty of punters out there who want to try something different. They know all about the established bookmakers and what they have to offer. How about new horse racing bookies, though? These can offer you welcome bonuses with free bets so you don’t risk cash on your next bet after signing up and placing a qualifying wager.
Plenty of the newcomers have a service, promotions and features that you’ll just love. Among them are leading new betting sites UK customers wager with. Check out the top bookmakers below. These are the best new horse racing betting sites UK punters can use today, according to our experts:
- Rhino Bet – Bet £25, Get £25 + 25 Free Spins
- Betgoodwin – 50% Back as a Free Bet up to £25
- SBK – Bet £10, Get £10 in Free Bets
Horse Racing Betting Strategies
Punters of all abilities, ages and experience levels can benefit from looking at different approaches to betting on horse racing. Finding a successful formula that works for you involves trying new things. We should stress that no horse racing betting system is fool-proof. There are no guarantees in this most unpredictable of sports, yet there are some strategies proven over time to yield profit and more winners than losers.
Back Beaten Favourites Next Time
You sometimes have to forgive a horse its last run and look at the bigger picture. A beaten favourite when last in action has clearly disappointed and run below market expectation. Do some research into this and see if you can find a reason why that horse didn’t win. It may have needed a race to bring on its fitness levels, found conditions weren’t ideal, had a hard luck story in-running or simply bumped into an in-form or progressive rival.
Writing off horses after one below par performance is foolish. Online horse racing bookmakers UK punters bet with can hardly justify putting them in at the head of the market next time, so you might find a bit of value in sticking with them. It might be just the right occasion to catch them. This is smart horse racing betting strategy that should serve you well.
Bet Each Way Whenever Possible
Some punters are suspicious about betting each way. It may not give the same buzz having a horse placed as if it had won, but gambling is all about mitigating potential losses. An each way bet certainly helps with that in competitive races with big fields. If you can break even at worst by doing it, then you should seriously consider this as a regular option. Yes, the unit stake doubles to cover both the win and place aspects, but you can still turn profits without being first past the post.
You do need some basic industry knowledge with each way bets. If the fraction of the outright win price paid is a quarter, then the minimum odds of a wager that can break even is 4/1. (5.00). Alternatively, this can be a fifth and that ups the threshold to 5/1 (6.00). Each way betting is one of the most popular horse racing betting strategies around.
Hedge Your Bets by Dutching
There is absolutely nothing to stop you from hedging your bets and backing two (or more) horses in the same race. The Dutching system involves a stake plan where what you bet on each fancied runner is tailored to gaining roughly the same profit (or total returns) no matter which pick and wager wins.
Unless getting an each way bet on is possible, you must accept that only one bet can yield returns. Factor in the losing stake to your calculations as this eats into the profits. Dutching isn’t breaking any rules and increases your chances of backing a winner as you cover more runners in the field. As horse racing betting systems go, it makes a lot of sense.
Popular Markets at the Best Horse Racing Bookies
We promised you more on the different markets related to horse racing, so here they are. We’ve split them up into regular fixed odds wagers, combination and system bets, and pari-mutuel options:
Fixed Odds Bets
First up are the most common type of bets you place with bookies on horse racing. These are called fixed odds bets because the bookmakers set the prices.
- Win – A straight up bet for the horse in question to win the race.
- Place – You can also wager on whether horses will finished placed. This can mean first or second; first, second or third; or even first, second, third or fourth. Place terms reflect the number of runners in the race.
- Each Way – Combining Win and Place wagers on the same betslip. Only available on races with five or more runners, precise terms vary depending on the type of race and number of horses taking part. Your unit stake doubles to cover both aspects.
- Ante Post – A bet struck before final declarations for a race. You aren’t guaranteed a run for your money, but may end up with better odds.
- Without the Favourite – There’s a separate horse racing betting market that doesn’t include the most fancied runner. A bet here pays out if the horse you back finishes second to the favourite or beats them and wins the race outright.
- Distance Betting – You can bet on how far in lengths a horse will win by. The margin of victory must be the distance you wagered on minimum for this to pay out.
- Accumulators – Doubles, trebles and up are all technically accas. This is because the odds are multiplied together for the separate legs and winnings accumulate. All selections that run must win in an accumulator for it to be a successful bet.
Combination & System Bets
The option to put singles and/or doubles, trebles and accumulators all together exists. These are called combination and system bets. There are plenty of these:
- Trixie – Three horses in four bets: Three doubles and one treble
- Patent – Three horses in seven bets: Three singles, three doubles and one treble
- Yankee – Four horses in 11 bets: Six doubles, four trebles and one fourfold
- Lucky 15 – Four horses in 15 bets: Four singles, six doubles, four trebles and one fourfold
- Canadian – Five horses in 26 bets: 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five fourfolds and one fivefold
- Lucky 31 – Five horses in 31 bets: Five singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five fourfolds and one fivefold
- Heinz – Six horses in 57 bets: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, six fivefolds and one sixfold
- Lucky 63 – Six horses in 63 bets: Six singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, six fivefolds and one sixfold
- Super Heinz – Seven horses in 120 bets: 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 fivefolds, seven sixfolds and one sevenfold
- Goliath – Eight horses in 247 bets: 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfolds, 56 fivefolds, 28 sixfolds, eight sevenfolds and one eightfold
Pari-Mutuel Bets
With pool betting, there’s no bookmaker setting the horse racing betting odds with returned dividends paid based on the popularity of runners among punters. These are the types of pari-mutuel bets you can place:
- Win – Just like a regular fixed odds win, this wager is for the horse you pick to come first.
- Place – Again similar to its fixed odds equivalent, you bet on a horse finishing within a set number of places based on how many run.
- Exacta – Also called a Forecast, this is where you wager on two horses in the same race to finish first and second in a set order.
- Quinella – Sometimes known as a Reverse Forecast or Exacta, your bet is on two (or more) horses to come first and second in the same race in any order.
- Trifecta – Referred to as a Tricast on occasion, this wager involves betting on three (or more) horses to finish first, second and third in a set (or any if more selections) order.
- Swinger – You can also bet on two (or more) horses to be in the first three of a race.
- Placepot – Pick a horse (or horses by adding more lines) to finish placed in the first six races at a selected meeting.
- Jackpot – Find the winners of the first six races during a particular meeting.
UK Horse Racing Bookmakers vs Betting Exchanges
Many so-called pro punters use a horse racing betting exchange instead of the bookies for their wagers. You don’t have to be one to use the exchanges on Betfair or Smarkets, though, as anyone can have an account. It’s important to understand the differences, which include a greater level of risk, when gambling through this alternative service.
A betting exchange offers peer to peer wagers, charging a small percentage commission for facilitating bets. You can either back a horse to win a race or lay odds for it to lose. Once your stake has been matched or lay price taken by another punter, the wager is on. If you were right, then whoever took your bet owes you money.
In the event you were wrong about the horse, however, then it’s you paying out to the other bettor. With a regular fixed odds bookmaker, you just lose your stake. On horse racing betting exchanges, it can cost you plenty more depending on how much was matched or the price you laid at. There are pros and cons to using this service.
While it’s a slight inconvenience to pay commission whether your bets win or lose, you can certainly end up with a lot more profit than you get through fixed odds bookies. That’s a big lure of the exchanges. The drawback is when you make the wrong call about a horse, you end up paying out more than you would on a losing stake.
Where to Find the Best Horse Racing Betting Odds
When anyone places a bet on any sport, horse racing included, they want the top price. As noted above, the situation is made a lot easier for British bettors by the fact that so many bookies operate Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG). That ensures you don’t miss out on the Starting Price if you put your wager on earlier in the day. After extensive research and testing, our experts concluding these are the three best bookmakers for horse racing betting odds today:
- Betgoodwin – Get Best Odds Guaranteed after 7am on race days
- QuinnBet – Best Odds Guaranteed from 8:30am every day
- Rhino Bet – BOG applies from 10am on the day of the races
Top Horse Racing Betting Offers
Due to its inextricable link with gambling, it’s only logical that there are plenty of promotions available to punters who want to bet on horses in the UK. These offers take many forms but one thing they all have in common is a lack of exclusivity. They aren’t just available to new customers, but existing customers too. Let’s take a look at the most popular types of deal:
- Accumulator Bonuses – A winning acca is even tougher to pull off with horse racing than it is when you bet on football. You should be rewarded if you mange it. Up to £5,000 cash winnings are paid on top of successful accumulators by 10bet that meet their terms and conditions.
- Best Odds Guaranteed – BOG is an offer that protects your punts made on the day of the races in the event that the horse you back drifts out in the market to a bigger SP. As noted above, many UK horse racing bookies online have this deal as standard.
- Extra Place Races – The perfect incentive for each way betting sees the bookmakers pay out on additional places. If fourth, fifth or even sixth spot in the finishing order can yield a return, then that’s attractive. See the likes of QuinnBet for these events every day.
- Money Back as a Free Bet – You can get your stake returned as a bonus in any number of scenarios on horse racing. The most common is when you finish second to the (SP) favourite or beaten within a certain margin. Check out Kwiff and Betgoodwin among others for horse racing betting offers of this type.
- Non-Runner No Bet – If the race has declared, then you should either get a run for your money or a full refund on your stake in cash. That’s the principle of Non-Runner No Bet in a nutshell. All the bookies should provide this, but don’t expect to see any ante post bets covered.
Spreadex – 2nd to a Rag Insurance
When you place your first fixed odds single winner bet on any race with Spreadex, you qualify for an insurance deal. If your horse finishes second to one with a Starting Price of 33/1 (34.0) or bigger, then you receive money back as a free bet up to a maximum of £25. Bonuses are credited after the race and bet has been settled, then are valid for 28 days. Eligible races must have three or more runners taking part. Subsequent bets on the same race don’t qualify.
BetUK – Horse Racing Free Bet Club
For those punters who like to bet on horses regularly, BetUK has a Free Bet Club tailored specifically to the sport. Opt-in and place £15+ on singles and up at odds of Evens (2.00) per selection or greater each week to receive a £3 free bet. This promotion runs until 23:59 on Sunday evenings, then starts again. Any free bet received expires after seven days. Two offers per customer are available every week. Only horse racing bets on selected events qualify.
QuinnBet – Fallers Insurance & Fail to Finish Promos
Over at QuinnBet, selected race meetings and events qualify for Fallers Insurance or the Fail to Finish promotion. Place a single or each way bet on such races with six or more runners taking part and, if your horse falls, the losing stake is refunded up to £10. Fallers Insurance doesn’t apply to any horses that unseat their riders or get brought down. Covering that wider base and other outcomes like pulling up, running out and slipping up is the Fail to Finish deal. Again, there needs to be a minimum of six runners on a selected meeting or race to qualify for a free bet refund up to £10.
Glossary of Key Horse Racing Betting Terms
You will hear and read about a lot of industry jargon and terms relating to betting on horses. Our experts can educate you on all that with this glossary of keywords and phrases:
- Classic – Select Flat thoroughbred races only open to colts and fillies aged 3.
- Colt – A male horse aged 2-4 who hasn’t been gelded.
- Conditions Race – Any non-handicap race where the weights carried are determined by set criteria. This can vary from a horse’s Sales price to penalties for winning one or more races at a certain level within a set timeframe.
- Dead Heat – When two (or more) horses can’t be separated in a photo finish. All bets settled at half the stake to the full SP.
- Favourite – The shortest price runner in a horse race.
- Filly – A female horse aged 2-4.
- Furlong – The unit of measurement for horse races. There are 220 yards in a furlong and eight of those in a mile.
- Gelding – A male horse that is no longer an entire colt.
- Handicap – Any race where the weights are dictated by horses’ official ratings compared to others in the field. The highest rated horse lining up carries the heaviest weight. Other carrying the difference between their own mark subtracted from the topweight.
- Juvenile – On the Flat, this term applies to any horse aged 2. Over jumps, it related to any horse going over hurdles aged 3 and up until the spring after they become 4-year-olds.
- Mare – A female horse aged 5 and up.
- Non-Runner – When a horse is taken out of a race following final declarations.
- Rule 4 – A deduction of so many pence in the Pounds Sterling (£) based on the price of a non-runner applied to all bets after final declarations. Rule 4 does not apply to any horse withdrawn at odds of 14/1 (15.00) or bigger. The shorter the odds of the absentee, then the bigger the deduction.
- Sex Allowance – Fillies and mares receive weight from colts, geldings and older entire male horses. Over jumps, this is 7lb. On the Flat, the allowance is just 3lb.
- Starting Price – Abbreviated to SP, these are the odds that a horse is sent off (or returned at) for a race based on the final betting show before the event begins.
- Weight for Age – A particular condition applied to a race where younger horses receive weight from their elders to offset the gulf in experience and physical development.
Best Online Horse Racing Betting Sites UK with Live Streaming
Watching the horses you bet on through the same platform where you place your wagers is now a key part of the gambling experience for many punters. Live streams of horse racing, either accessed by a funded account (i.e. a positive cash balance) or qualifying bet on the event, have become very popular. Check out these bookmakers who offer this service:
- Spreadex – Spread betting service on the horses with live streams
- Betgoodwin – Bookie that puts horse racing & live streaming first
- QuinnBet – Loads of specific promotions alongside live streams
Horse Racing Betting Guide to Major Meetings
There are lots of important race meetings over both jumps and on the Flat throughout the calendar year in the British Isles. Here are 14 of the biggest that punters enjoy betting on:
Meeting | Racecourse(s) | Type | When | Days | Feature Races |
Dublin Racing Festival | Leopardstown | National Hunt | February | 2 | Irish Gold Cup, Dublin Chase, Irish Champion Hurdle |
Cheltenham Festival | Cheltenham | National Hunt | March | 4 | Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup |
Grand National Festival | Aintree | National Hunt | April | 3 | Aintree Hurdle, Betway Bowl, Melling Chase, Topham Chase, Liverpool Hurdle, Grand National |
Punchestown Festival | Punchestown | National Hunt | April / May | 5 | Punchestown Champion Chase, Punchestown Gold Cup, Champion Stayers Hurdle, Punchestown Champion Hurdle, Mares Champion Hurdle |
Guineas Festival | Newmarket | Flat | May | 3 | 2000 Guineas, 1000 Guineas |
Derby Festival | Epsom Downs | Flat | June | 2 | Coronation Cup, The Oaks, Epsom Derby |
Royal Ascot | Ascot | Flat | June | 5 | Queen Anne Stakes, St James’s Palace Stakes, King’s Stand Stakes, Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, Ascot Gold Cup, Coronation Stakes, Commonwealth Cup, Platinum Jubilee Stakes |
Glorious Goodwood | Goodwood | Flat | July / August | 5 | Goodwood Cup, Sussex Stakes, Nassau Stakes, King George Qatar Stakes, Stewards’ Cup |
Ebor Festival | York | Flat | August | 4 | Juddmonte International Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks, Nunthorpe Stakes, Ebor Handicap |
St Leger Festival | Doncaster | Flat | September | 4 | Sceptre Stakes, Park Hill Stakes, Doncaster Cup, St Leger |
Irish Champions Weekend | Leopardstown & Curragh | Flat | September | 2 | Irish Champion Stakes, Matron Stakes, Flying Five Stakes, Irish St Leger |
British Champions Day | Ascot | Flat | October | 1 | Champions Sprint, Champions Fillies ‘ And Mares’ Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Champion Stakes |
Christmas Festival | Kempton Park | National Hunt | December | 2 | Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, Christmas Hurdle, King George VI Chase, Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, Desert Orchid Chase |
Christmas Festival | Leopardstown | National Hunt | December | 4 | Racing Post Novice Chase, Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase, Savills Chase, Christmas Hurdle, Matheson Hurdle |
Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham horse racing betting is a big deal when it comes to the Festival. Held over four days every March in the heart of the Cotswolds, the best National Hunt racehorses from the UK and Ireland descend on the Prestbury Park track for the premier jumps meeting of the year. Look out for tons of Cheltenham betting offers in the build-up to all the action. There are 28 races, seven per day, during the Cheltenham Festival with the full list of events below:
Race | Class | Type | Distance | Day |
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 2m | Tuesday |
Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 2m | Tuesday |
Ultima Handicap Chase | Premier Handicap | Steeplechase | 3m 1f | Tuesday |
Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 2m | Tuesday |
David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 2m 4f | Tuesday |
Fred Winter / Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Premier Handicap | 4yo Hurdle Race | 2m | Tuesday |
National Hunt Chase | Grade 2 | Steeplechase | 3m 6f | Tuesday |
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 2m 5f | Wednesday |
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 3m | Wednesday |
Coral Cup | Premier Handicap | Hurdle Race | 2m 5f | Wednesday |
Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 2m | Wednesday |
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | Class 2 | Cross Country | 3m 6f | Wednesday |
Grand Annual Chase | Premier Handicap | Steeplechase | 2m | Wednesday |
Weatherbys Champion Bumper | Grade 1 | NH Flat Race | 2m | Wednesday |
Turners Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 2m 4f | Thursday |
Pertemps Final | Premier Handicap | Hurdle Race | 3m | Thursday |
Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 2m 4f | Thursday |
Stayers’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 3m | Thursday |
Festival Plate Handicap Chase | Premier Handicap | Steeplechase | 2m 4f | Thursday |
Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 2 | Hurdle Race | 2m 1f | Thursday |
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Class 2 | Steeplechase | 3m 2f | Thursday |
JCB Triumph Hurdle | Grade 1 | 4yo Hurdle Race | 2m 1f | Friday |
County Hurdle | Premier Handicap | Hurdle Race | 2m 1f | Friday |
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 3m | Friday |
Cheltenham Gold Cup | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 3m 2f | Friday |
Festival Open Hunter Chase | Class 2 | Steeplechase | 3m 2f | Friday |
Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase | Grade 2 | Steeplechase | 2m 4f | Friday |
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | Class 2 | Hurdle Race | 2m 3f | Friday |
Grand National
Called the world’s most famous steeplechase with good reason, the Grand National is the ultimate test of equine endurance and a jockey’s ability to ride. A gruelling four-and-a-quarter miles and clearing 30 fences stand between horses and a place in sporting history. The Grand National is the centrepiece of a three-day festival at Aintree near Liverpool, so here are all the races taking place at the meeting held every April:
Race | Class | Type | Distance | Day |
Manifesto Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 2m 4f | Thursday |
Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle | Grade 1 | 4yo Hurdle Race | 2m 1f | Thursday |
Betway Bowl | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 3m 1f | Thursday |
Aintree Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 2m 4f | Thursday |
Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase | Class 2 | Steeplechase | 2m 5f | Thursday |
Red Rum Handicap Chase | Premier Handicap | Steeplechase | 2m | Thursday |
Nickel Coin Mares’ Bumper | Grade 2 | NH Flat Race | 2m 1f | Thursday |
Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle | Premier Handicap | Hurdle Race | 2m 4f | Friday |
Top Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 2m | Friday |
Mildmay Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 3m 1f | Friday |
Marsh Chase / Melling Chase | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 2m 4f | Friday |
Topham Chase | Premier Handicap | Steeplechase | 2m 5f | Friday |
Sefton Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 3m | Friday |
Conditional Jockeys’ And Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle | Class 2 | Hurdle Race | 2m | Friday |
EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle | Premier Handicap | Hurdle Race | 3m | Saturday |
Mersey Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 2m 4f | Saturday |
Maghull Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | Steeplechase | 2m | Saturday |
Liverpool Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle Race | 3m | Saturday |
Betway Handicap Chase | Premier Handicap | Steeplechase | 3m 1f | Saturday |
Grand National | Premier Handicap | Steeplechase | 4m 2f | Saturday |
Aintree Bumper | Grade 2 | NH Flat Race | 2m 1f | Saturday |
Epsom Derby
The most valuable British race you’ll find on online horse racing betting sites UK punters use is the Epsom Derby. Open to three-year-old colts and fillies, it is the top event for thoroughbreds in the land. Now on the first Saturday in June, The Derby is one of five Classics along with The Oaks held the day before, the St Leger, 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas. These are the most important races on the Flat with winners guaranteed careers at stud or as broodmares once their time on the track ends.
Royal Ascot
The royal meeting at Ascot is a major social and sporting occasions. For five consecutive days in mid-June, top Flat thoroughbreds from around the world race in front of royalty. There’s so much pomp and circumstance in the build-up, plus the latest fashion off the track and competitive action on it. These are all the races with seven a day on the Royal Ascot schedule:
Race | Class | Open to | Distance | Day |
Queen Anne Stakes | Group 1 | 4yo+ | 1m | Tuesday |
Coventry Stakes | Group 2 | 2yo | 6f | Tuesday |
King’s Stand Stakes | Group 1 | 3yo+ | 5f | Tuesday |
St James’s Palace Stakes | Group 1 | 3yo colts | 1m | Tuesday |
Ascot Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 4yo+ (0-100) | 2m 4f | Tuesday |
Wolferton Stakes | Listed | 4yo+ | 1m 2f | Tuesday |
Copper Horse Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 4yo+ (0-105) | 1m 6f | Tuesday |
Queen Mary Stakes | Group 2 | 2yo fillies | 5f | Wednesday |
Queen’s Vase | Group 2 | 3yo | 1m 6f | Wednesday |
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes | Group 1 | 4yo+ | 1m 2f | Wednesday |
Duke Of Cambridge Stakes | Group 2 | 4yo+ fillies & mares | 1m | Wednesday |
Royal Hunt Cup | Heritage Handicap | 3yo+ | 1m | Wednesday |
Windsor Castle Stakes | Listed | 2yo | 5f | Wednesday |
Kensington Palace Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 4yo+ fillies & mares (0-105) | 1m | Wednesday |
Norfolk Stakes | Group 2 | 2yo | 5f | Thursday |
King George V Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3yo (0-105) | 1m 4f | Thursday |
Ribblesdale Stakes | Group 2 | 3yo fillies | 1m 4f | Thursday |
Ascot Gold Cup | Group 1 | 4yo+ | 2m 4f | Thursday |
Britannia Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3yo colts & geldings (0-105) | 1m | Thursday |
Hampton Court Stakes | Group 3 | 3yo | 1m 2f | Thursday |
Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 3yo+ (0-105) | 7f | Thursday |
Albany Stakes | Group 3 | 2yo fillies | 6f | Friday |
Commonwealth Cup | Group 1 | 3yo colts & fillies | 6f | Friday |
Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 3yo+ (0-105) | 1m 4f | Friday |
Coronation Stakes | Group 1 | 3yo fillies | 1m | Friday |
Sandringham Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 3yo fillies (0-105) | 1m | Friday |
King Edward VII Stakes | Group 2 | 3yo colts & geldings | 1m 4f | Friday |
Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 3yo (0-105) | 5f | Friday |
Chesham Stakes | Listed | 2yo | 7f | Saturday |
Jersey Stakes | Group 3 | 3yo | 7f | Saturday |
Hardwicke Stakes | Group 2 | 4yo+ | 1m 4f | Saturday |
Platinum Jubilee Stakes | Group 1 | 4yo+ | 6f | Saturday |
Wokingham Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3yo+ (0-110) | 6f | Saturday |
Golden Gates Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 3yo (0-105) | 1m 2f | Saturday |
Queen Alexandra Stakes | Class 2 | 4yo+ | 2m 5f | Saturday |
Other Grade 1 & Group 1 Races in the UK
There are other top level races held in the UK over both jumps and on the Flat outside of the biggest meetings. Each of these attracts plenty of horse racing betting in their own right. This next table tells you all about them:
Race | Course | Type | Distance | When |
Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle | Sandown | Hurdle Race | 2m | January |
Clarence House Chase | Ascot | Steeplechase | 2m 1f | January |
Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase | Sandown | Steeplechase | 2m 4f | February |
Ascot Chase | Ascot | Steeplechase | 2m 5f | February |
Celebration Chase | Sandown | Steeplechase | 2m | April |
Lockinge Stakes | Newbury | Flat Race | 1m | May |
Eclipse Stakes | Sandown | Flat Race | 1m 2f | July |
Falmouth Stakes | Newmarket | Flat Race | 1m | July |
July Cup | Newmarket | Flat Race | 6f | July |
King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes | Ascot | Flat Race | 1m 4f | July |
Haydock Sprint Cup | Haydock | Flat Race | 6f | September |
Cheveley Park Stakes | Newmarket | 2yo Flat Race | 6f | September |
Middle Park Stakes | Newmarket | 2yo Flat Race | 6f | September |
Sun Chariot Stakes | Newmarket | Flat Race | 1m | October |
Fillies’ Mile | Newmarket | 2yo Flat Race | 1m | October |
Dewhurst Stakes | Newmarket | 2yo Flat Race | 7f | October |
Vertem Futurity Trophy | Doncaster | 2yo Flat Race | 1m | November |
Betfair Chase | Haydock | Steeplechase | 3m 1f | November |
Fighting Fifth Hurdle | Newcastle | Hurdle Race | 2m | November / December |
Henry VIII Novices’ Chase | Sandown | Steeplechase | 2m | December |
Tingle Creek Chase | Sandown | Steeplechase | 2m | December |
Long Walk Hurdle | Ascot | Hurdle Race | 3m | December |
Challow Novices’ Hurdle | Newbury | Hurdle Race | 2m 4f | December |
Major International Horse Races You Can Bet On in the UK
Away from the British Isles, horse racing is very popular around the world. All the top online horse racing bookmakers UK punters wager with will let you bet on big overseas events. Here are 10 of the best from across the globe:
Race | Racecourse | Surface | Country | Distance | When |
Saudi Cup | Riyadh | Dirt | Saudi Arabia | 1m 1f | February |
Dubai World Cup | Meydan | Dirt | United Arab Emirates | 1m 2f | March |
Kentucky Derby | Churchill Downs | Dirt | USA | 1m 2f | May |
Preakness Stakes | Pimlico | Dirt | USA | 1m 1f | May |
Belmont Stakes | Belmont Park | Dirt | USA | 1m 4f | June |
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe | Longchamp | Turf | France | 1m 4f | October |
Melbourne Cup | Flemington | Turf | Australia | 2m | November |
Breeders’ Cup Classic | Varies annually | Dirt | USA | 1m 2f | November |
Japan Cup | Tokyo | Turf | Japan | 1m 4f | November |
Hong Kong Vase | Sha Tin | Turf | Hong Kong | 1m 4f | December |
Best Horse Racing Betting Apps
If you want to take your gambling mobile, then it’s never been easier to do that when wagering on horses. It’s all thanks to the invention of betting apps that punters can download for free on their smartphones. These should be available for devices that have the Android and iOS operating systems. The best horse racing betting app around certainly covers both software providers.
What sets great apps apart from the rest is simplicity. You should be able to get your horse racing bets on with just a few taps. This makes it so convenient when you’re on the go. According to our experts, here are the best horse racing betting apps in the UK right now:
- Spreadex – Only app with horse racing spreads & fixed odds bets
- Betgoodwin – Lots of horse racing specific offers through the app
- Rhino – Puts horse racing at forefront of mobile coverage
Top Horse Racing Betting Tips
We’ve got even more advice for you from our experts so that betting on horse racing works for you. These suggestions and helpful hints are much like the strategies discussed above. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to wagering on a sport as complex as horse racing, so we can’t promise you winners. By following our experts’ tips here, however, you should be able to make better and more informed decisions when you take a punt:
Don’t Bet on Everything
You don’t have to bet on anything and everything happening at a race meeting. If some events look too competitive or difficult to fathom, then they’re probably best left alone. The key to successful gambling on any sport, horse racing included, is to know when not to bet. There’s no obligation and it can make a lot more sense to specialise in certain races or quality of events where more is known about the horses involved.
Go in to the Market Early When You’re Confident
If you do have a strong fancy, then it’s wise to get your wager placed as soon as possible. Why? Well, there may be other punters out there that come to the same conclusion. You want to try if at all possible to be ahead of any gambles that form, because the price and value collapses once many people start backing it. So long as you’re getting BOG or feel confident about beating SP with an even earlier or ante post price you took, this is one of the best horse racing betting tips there is. Trust your instincts.
Study the Form Before Betting
Finding winners isn’t always easy. It requires careful study of current and past form of horses and their trainers’ stables, race conditions, the weights and considering potential improvement. Measuring all that up is something you get better at time over time and with experience, but start as you mean to go on. Get into the habit of looking at the form before you take a punt. You can narrow down the field by following other tipsters and then asking yourself why they fancy certain horses. There’s just no substitute for study with horse racing.
The UK’s Best Horse Racing Betting Site
Now into the final furlong of our in-depth look at the best bookies for horse racing in the UK, you should’ve learned plenty. From tips and strategies to offers and promotions, bet types and the big meetings, we had it all covered. Our number one choice among the best online horse racing betting sites UK punters use is Spreadex. This is because of the live streaming opportunities and range of markets available. Gamble responsibly when you wager on the horses!
FAQs
How does horse racing betting work?
What is the best betting app for horse racing?
Why is horse racing so popular in the UK?
What does SP mean in horse racing betting?
Can you make money from betting on horse racing?
What bet wins the most in horse racing?
Users must be 18+. If you are having trouble with gambling then help and advise can be found at begambleaware.org