Horse Racing Betting Sites

Find the bookies with the best horse racing betting odds, promotions, and markets.

Best betting sites for horse racing

18+ | begambleaware | Please Gamble Responsibly | Commercial Content | T&Cs Apply

Betfair

World's best exchange!
  • Various racing promotions
  • Best odds via the Exchange
  • Betfair horse racing forum
  • Can't access in some countries
Welcome Offer
Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets
Claim Go to website

New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £20 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly

Website: betfair.comFounded: 1999
Owner: Betfair International PlcHeadquarters: London
Betfair Exchange 2022
Betfair Sportsbook 2022
Betfair Casino 2022

Summary

Author: Ben Smith Ben Smith

Betfair is one of the great UK bookies. With a big focus on football betting, they are the first choice of many punters, from the pro to the beginner. Also, they offer the worlds biggest and best betting exchange. Cons with Betfair include a somewhat difficult navigation and lack of selections for certain sports.

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Bet365

Widest variety of markets
  • Best overall variety
  • ITV 4/1 Racing promotion
  • Extensive live streaming
  • No racing acca boosts
Welcome Offer
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim Go to website

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

Website: bet365.comFounded: 2000
Owner: Hillside (sports) ENCHeadquarters: Stoke

Summary

Author: Ben Smith Ben Smith

Bet365 Bonus

The Bet365 open account offer is one that is befitting of arguably the best betting site in the world.

This new and improved bonus allows you to get £30 in free bets off of just a £10 wager.

That's a 300% bonus, and this Bet365 bonus can be claimed right here.

Why You Should Register With Bet365

⭐ As far as volume of markets is concerned, there is not a more comprehensive sportsbook out there.

💰 The list of existing customer promotions is exemplary - with Early Payout being the pick of the bunch.

↗️ Odds boosts are now featured on the site, which is another recent improvement.

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BetUK

Outstanding racing analysis
  • Timeform analysis integration
  • Place system bets
  • Domestic & international coverage
  • Lacking payment methods
  • Few markets within each race
Welcome Offer
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim Go to website

T&Cs apply. New customers 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: 2 x £10 Horse Racing and 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org

Website: betuk.comFounded: 2012
Owner: LeoVegas Gaming PLCHeadquarters: Malta
Bet UK sports betting
Bet UK live betting
Betuk Casino

Summary

Author: Ben Smith Ben Smith

BetUK is an online gambling brand that is operated by LeoVegas Gaming PLC, which relaunched the site in 2018.

Kambi is the sportsbook provider for BetUK, and it's a very straightforward, no-messing-about betting site that seems to be aimed at a slightly older demographic.

BetUK currently has a Bet £10 Get £30 offer for sports and a £100 Casino bonus.

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Betway

  • Betway Free Bet Club
  • ITV Money Back Offer
  • Daily racing boosts
  • Small welcome bonus
Welcome Offer
£30 Matched Free Bet If Your First Acca Loses
+ 100 Free Spins
Claim Go to website

New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full terms apply.

Website: betway.comFounded: 2006
Owner: Betway LimitedHeadquarters: Malta
Betway home page
Betway live betting
Betway Casino

Summary

Author: Ben Smith Ben Smith

Betway Sign Up Offer

The Betway welcome offer allows users to claim a £30 matched bet, if your first bet loses.

When you register with Betway, you need to make a deposit with a debit card to claim this offer.

How to Get Betway Free Bets

1️⃣ Create a Betway account, deposit and bet a minimum of £5.

2️⃣ Bet must be a 3+ selection football or horse racing acca at odds of 2/1 or higher

3️⃣ If your bet loses, receive a matched free bet, along with 50 free spins for your qualifying bet.

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Paddy Power

  • Money back promotions
  • Racing 'Power Prices'
  • Excellent tips on PP blog
  • Too similar to Betfair
Welcome Offer
Bet £5 Get £20
In Free Bets
Claim Go to website

18+, UK & Ireland only. New Customer offer YSKARZ. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £20 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

Website: paddypower.comFounded: 1988
Owner: Paddy Power BetfairHeadquarters: Dublin
Paddy Power home page
Paddy Power live bet
Paddy Power Games

Summary

Author: Ben Smith Ben Smith

One of the most experienced yet innovative bookies, PaddyPower mixes a great selection of odds with fun (read controversial) adverts. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore that they offer a great sportsbook.

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Ladbrokes

  • Classic UK bookie
  • Best Odds Guaranteed
  • Extra place races
  • Old-fashioned site
  • Country restrictions
Welcome Offer
Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets
Claim Go to website

18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x 5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.

Website: ladbrokes.comFounded: 1886
Owner: Ladbrokes Coral Group plcHeadquarters: London
Ladbrokes home page
Ladbrokes live betting
Ladbrokes Casino

Summary

Author: Ben Smith Ben Smith

Regarding football betting, Ladbrokes has most of the competition beaten. Both their standard selection and special bets hold a really high standard. Also, they provide great offers, such as acca insurances. The only issue is that their withdrawal process can be quite slow at times.

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BoyleSports

  • Plenty of extra place and money back promotions each day
  • Live streaming of all UK/Irish races
  • Best odds guaranteed
  • Racecards are a little sparse on information
Welcome Offer
Bet £10 Get £20
Claim Go to website

New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. **18+. UK & IRE online customers only. Payment & account restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Website: www.boylesports.comFounded: 1982
Owner: BoyleSportsHeadquarters: Dundalk (Ireland)
Boylesports Home
Boyle Sports In Play Betting
Boyle Sports Casino

Summary

Author: Ben Smith Ben Smith

BoyleSports is one of the UK's more recognisable bookies thanks to plenty of high-profile sporting sponsorships and, well, it's been around for 40+ years! BoyleSport has one of the premier online sportsbook products on the UK market with live streaming, numerous promotions, and great payment options to boot.

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QuinnBet

  • Money back if 2nd to the favourite in every UK/Irish race
  • Many ongoing racing promotions
  • Best odds guaranteed
  • Limited information on runners
Welcome Offer
50% Cash Back up to £35
+ 10 Free Spins
Claim Go to website

QuinnBet will refund 50% of your first days losses as a Free Bet up to £35 Plus 10 Free Spins on Reel Diamonds. Minimum 3 bets at odds of Evens (2.0) +.If your account is up, you're guaranteed a £5 Free Bet Plus 10 Free Spins. Minimum 1 bet of £10 or more at odds of Evens (2.0) +. | 18+ BeGambleAware. New UK Customers Only. T&Cs apply

Website: quinnbet.comFounded: 2017
Owner: QuinnBet (Gibraltar) LimitedHeadquarters: Gibraltar
Quinnbet Casino
Quinnbet homescreen
Quinnbet virtuals

Summary

Author: Del Pugh Del Pugh

QuinnBet is an excellent choice for sportsbook users, providing plenty of daily promotions and offers, including extra places and more. A solid mobile app and integrated casino experience creates a complete package for players that is hard to beat.

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BetMGM

  • Golden Silks profit boosts
  • UK & Irish race streaming
  • Extra place races with Each-way Plus
  • Strong welcome bonus
  • Promotions can be limited
  • Site layout can be counter-intuitive
Welcome Offer
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
Claim Go to website

New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 6 x Free Bets: 4 x £10 Horse racing, 2 x £10 Acca Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

Website: betmgm.co.ukFounded: 2011
Owner: Leo Vegas Gaming PLCHeadquarters: Malta
Bet MGM sports homepage
Bet MGM casino homepage
Bet MGM live casino homepage

Summary

Author: Del Pugh Del Pugh

BetMGM UK is an online betting and gambling brand from MGM Resorts International, a global leader in entertainment. The site has a familiar feel, thanks to its recent buy-out of LeoVegas and mimics many of its top features, including a superb sportsbook and casino experience, with a focus on giving the best odds, exclusive games and big bonuses for players, including an excellent loyalty reward scheme.

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BetGoodwin

  • Excellent promos and enhancements
  • Plenty of international markets
  • Good value odds
  • Strong industry track record
  • Limited payment options
  • Site could do with a lick of paint
Welcome Offer
50% Back as Free Bets up to £25
Claim Go to website

Register a new online account with Betgoodwin. 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 losing stakes less all returns. The day finishes at 23.59. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. Free bets non withdrawable. Betgoodwin Terms and Conditions apply.

Website: betgoodwin.co.ukFounded: 2021
Owner: Goodwin Racing LimitedHeadquarters: Uckfield

Summary

Author: Ben Smith Ben Smith

Why sign up with Betgoodwin?

Betgoodwin advantages ✅

Goodwin Racing launched its online sportsbook, Betgoodwin, in early 2022 on the back of years of success running a telephone betting service. The FSB-powered sportsbook gives Betgoodwin an instant quality feel and there is an impressive range of betting options available. Live chat support and dedicated mobile apps (iOS and Android) further underline the quality on offer compared to many other new UK betting sites.

Betgoodwin disadvantages 😞

The main disadvantage with Betgoodwin at present is the lack of payment options other than the standard Visa and Mastercard debit cards. The actual sportsbook might be high quality but the overall look of the site could definitely be improved to match the more modern designs of the leading online bookies. With such a heavy horse racing brand focus (but unfortunately no live streaming yet), Betgoodwin could also be doing more to attract punters interested in other sports.

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Horse racing betting sites FAQ

Horse racing is, along with football, among the top sports within UK betting. Races take place every day and there is so much information to take in, but you can get started with these FAQs which cover the basics.

🐎 What is the best horse racing betting site?

There is no certain answer to this question but the bookies listed on this page are all among the best for different reasons. Betfair arguably offers the best option for great odds and lay bets on the Exchange, while those looking for plenty of offers and promotions should give QuinnBet a try, with everything from money-back specials, extra places and enhanced odds available every day.

📈 How do I bet on horse racing?

The main bet types within horse racing are very straightforward. You can back a horse to win or place an each-way bet which means you are betting half your stake on it to win, and the other half on it to place (finish in the top 3, 4, 5, or however many places are specified).

Of course, picking winners is far from easy, and you should study the form before locking in your selections. There is plenty of guidance available, while sites such as bet365 allow users to watch previous runs by horses, via the racecard itself.

📺 Can I watch races on horse racing betting sites?

Absolutely - many UK bookmakers offer live streaming on horse racing. For some races, you'll need to place a bet in order to view it, whereas others are made available for free to logged in users.

🔝What are the highest levels of horse racing?

There are many race types and class levels that horses can race in, with the below list highlighting the higher echelons of both flat and national hunt racing.

Flat Races

Group 1,2,3: The pinnacle of flat racing, with Group 1 races home to the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, the Derby and St Leger. Horses all race at the same weight, although fillies can get a small weight allowance depending on the contest itself.

Listed Race: Sitting just below the Group level contests, these can either be handicapped or non-handicapped, with famous examples including the Rockingham Stakes at York and the Chesham Stakes at Ascot.

Handicap Class 1 & 2: Handicaps are determined by a horse's ranking, which is based upon previous runs, with weight added accordingly to "level" the playing field. The top two classes are home to some of the most popular races in the UK, including the Ebor at York and Ayr Gold Cup.

Jump Races

Grade 1: This is the very pinnacle of the National Hunt racing, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the most famous example of this level of race.

Handicap: Although technically not as highly regarded as Grade 1, the very top of the handicap ratings does bring us the most famous race in the world, the Grand National, which is classed as a premier handicap contest.

💰 Where can I find the best horse racing betting odds?

For major UK races, there may not be much disparity between bookmakers' odds, but it is worth shopping around and checking each site for the best price and each way terms. For win only bets, you might find the best odds on the Betfair Exchange.

🏆 What are the biggest events for horse racing betting?

In the UK, the biggest horse racing events include the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National, Royal Ascot, and the Epsom Derby. These meetings generally attract the most punters. Globally, the Dubai World Cup, Kentucky Derby, and Pegasus World Cup are also hugely popular events to bet upon.

🤑 Can I get free bets on horse racing?

Yes, there are many free bet offers and other betting promotions on horse racing betting sites. You can find many of them on this page, and also in the 'Promotions' section of each of the betting sites we have listed.

🤔What are the differences between a maiden, novice and handicap races?

A maiden race is the easiest to understand, with participants in this contest, having so far never won a competitive race in that discipline. This applies to flat, hurdle and chase races, with weight conditions placed on the runners based on their sex. If a runner has won on the flat, they will still be eligible to run a hurdle or chase contest and visa versa.

Novice races are for runners who have a little more experience, these races are open to runners who are eligible to run in a maiden, have not won more than a single race at Class 2 or 3 level and have not run more than twice unless they have won as previously stated.

Over hurdles or fences, this is slightly different, with horses eligible for novice events throughout the season, if they had not won the previous season in that discipline, although runners will be subject to weight penalties with each win. Once the new season begins, they are not eligible for these contests.

Handicap races are one the most common contests in horse racing, with all competitors allotted a rating, based upon previous performances. Based upon their rating, each horse in the race is allotted a set weight which is added to their saddle.

A horse that is rated 100, will carry more than a horse rated 90 and so on, with the idea of making the race more competitive overall and allowing horses of lesser ability to potentially win, based on this equalising system, with horse ratings fluctuating over time.

The best betting sites for horse racing

At Bookies Bonuses, we compare betting sites not just on the all-around experience, but also how they fare within each of the main sports. In the UK, horse racing makes up a huge part of the betting industry and that's why we have put together this guide for our readers.

Nearly half of the adults in the UK have a bet on the Grand National, but it is not just the major races and festivals that bring in the punters. You can expect a handful of UK racing cards each day, while there is also plenty of action in nations like France, South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia, the USA, and more.

With so much horse racing taking place and so many betting sites on which you can place your wagers, the information and lists on this page will help you determine where you'll be doing your punting.

There are many factors to consider, and we'll get into that, but below are three horse racing betting sites that tick all of the main boxes and have maintained a high standard over a long period of time.

Top 3 betting sites for horse racing

Betfair Horse Racing Betting

Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets

Betfair is the ultimate betting site for both beginners and pros. The sportsbook is packed with markets plus special promotions and enhanced odds, while the exchange allows for peer-to-peer betting which presents trading opportunities and the chance to get higher odds.

Liquidity is high on the exchange for both British and international horse racing, and there is lots of information and analysis to take in on the betting site too.

Claim £20 offer

New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £20 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly


Bet365 Horse Racing Betting

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

You may have noticed that Bet365 is a mainstay in many lists of the best betting sites, and that's because the sheer volume of betting markets across the board is second to none.

Their horse racing betting section is comprehensive and includes various promotions plus live streaming. Their cash-out function is also great, as more often than not, you can use it just after you've placed a racing bet.

Claim £30 offer

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.


BetUK Horse Racing Betting

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

BetUK has an extensive horse racing section filled with a wide range of odds across the UK, America, Australia, South Africa, and more.

You can expect each-way+ offers, plus daily specials such as enhanced multiples. Ante-post markets are available on big upcoming meetings, and live streaming is available on some races.

Claim £30 offer

T&Cs apply. New customers 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: 2 x £10 Horse Racing and 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org


How we rank horse racing betting sites

There are lots of horse racing betting sites in the UK, but only a select few are excellent and make it onto our lists.

Many of the classic UK bookies have been involved with horse racing for many decades and over time have refined their products, making the transition to online successfully and offering all of the key features that bettors want and finding new and exciting options for players too.

Not only must betting sites now ensure they have well-priced odds for UK racing, but they must also feature a wide range of international racing markets and offer a selection of betting promotions on a regular basis to entice punters to their site.

This is great for punters both new and ongoing, as bookmakers cannot rest on their laurels, when it comes to giving you the best betting options.

Analysis and editorial are also now a major part of the makeup of horse racing betting sites, plus live streaming is now expected of online bookmakers.

In addition, a quality design and user experience can be the difference between a good horse racing betting site and a great one.

Top 10 horse racing betting sites

List of the top horse racing betting sites in the UK:

  1. Betfair: Sophisticated exchange
  2. Bet365: Massive selection of markets
  3. BetUK: New and improved racing section
  4. Betway: Lots of Betway boosts
  5. Paddy Power: Many betting offers to claim
  6. Ladbrokes: Daily odds boosts
  7. Boylesports: Numerous racing promotions each day
  8. QuinnBet: Money back if 2nd to the Fav on all UK/Irish races
  9. BetMGM: Boost your winnings with Golden Silks promo
  10. BetGoodwin: Excellent promos daily

Betting sites horse racing

18+ | begambleaware | Please Gamble Responsibly | Commercial Content | T&Cs Apply

  1. Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets

    New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £20 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly

  2. Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

    Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

  3. Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

    T&Cs apply. New customers 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: 2 x £10 Horse Racing and 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org

  4. £30 Matched Free Bet If Your First Acca Loses
    + 100 Free Spins

    New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full terms apply.

  5. Bet £5 Get £20
    In Free Bets

    18+, UK & Ireland only. New Customer offer YSKARZ. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £20 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

  6. Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets

    18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x 5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.

  7. Bet £10 Get £20

    New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. **18+. UK & IRE online customers only. Payment & account restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

  8. 50% Cash Back up to £35
    + 10 Free Spins

    QuinnBet will refund 50% of your first days losses as a Free Bet up to £35 Plus 10 Free Spins on Reel Diamonds. Minimum 3 bets at odds of Evens (2.0) +.If your account is up, you're guaranteed a £5 Free Bet Plus 10 Free Spins. Minimum 1 bet of £10 or more at odds of Evens (2.0) +. | 18+ BeGambleAware. New UK Customers Only. T&Cs apply

  9. Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets

    New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 6 x Free Bets: 4 x £10 Horse racing, 2 x £10 Acca Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

  10. 50% Back as Free Bets up to £25

    Register a new online account with Betgoodwin. 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 losing stakes less all returns. The day finishes at 23.59. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. Free bets non withdrawable. Betgoodwin Terms and Conditions apply.

Horse racing betting offers

The staff at Bookies Bonuses are always on the lookout for the best betting offers and promotions on the market, and many of them are centred around horse racing.

Below are some of the main horse racing offers you can expect to see on online betting sites:

  • Best Odds Guaranteed - with this offer if you back a horse at fixed odds and the starting price ends up being bigger, you will get paid out at the greater odds.
  • Money back - there are various ways in which betting sites incorporate money-back specials. Examples include if your horse falls, finishes 2nd, or is beaten by less than a length.
  • Free bets - the most common betting offer, free bets can be given out as part of a sign-up bonus or can be offered to existing customers around certain events.
  • Enhanced odds - boosted prices are often seen on the top UK betting sites for horse racing. You can find some good value on single bets, and some mega prices on enhanced accas.
  • Extra places - by backing a horse each way with extra places, the 'place' part of your bet has more chance of coming in. If other bookies are paying four places and you find one paying five, it might be worth going for that one.

Horse racing betting markets

Gone are the days when punters simply backed horses to win or place, and that was that. Of course, that option is still there and is by far the most popular, but the best horse racing sites offer a wider variety of markets now, giving bettors more flexibility with their wagers.

How To Bet On Horse Racing

  • Win

Backing a horse to win does what it says on the tin. You may hear this referred to as 'On the Nose', and while you should always shop around for the best odds, the Betfair Exchange is a great place to start for win only bets.

  • Each way

An each way bet is where you put an equal amount of money on a horse to win and place respectively. A place is finishing the top 3, 4, or however many places are paid out in each specific race, which varies depending on the size of the field. A place bet can also be placed as a standalone bet on some horse racing betting sites.

  • Betting without the favourite

If you like the look of a horse but want to eliminate the risk of it being beaten by the favourite, then you might want to just remove that problem from the equation and take your chosen horse to win without the favourite. Some bookmakers will even offer each way bets without the favourite too. Of course, the odds are much shorter than outright win bets in this instance.

  • Insure Bet

With insurance bets, you only get paid if your horse wins, but you get your stake returned to you if it places. Odds are shorter than outright winner odds as you have a smaller chance of losing your entire stake.

  • Forecast and tricast

A forecast bet involves selecting which horse will come first and which horse will come second. With a tricast, you add the third-placed horse in too. If successful, the payout is determined after the race but odds are often very high, particularly with tricasts.

  • Winning distance

You can bet on the gap between the first and second horse without specifying which horse it will be. Alternatively, you can lengthen 'win' odds by backing your horse to win by a certain number of lengths.

  • Match bets

This type of bet is only seen on certain horse racing betting sites, but it gives bettors the opportunity to back one horse over another and disregards all of the other runners. Whether the two horses in question finish 1st and 2nd or last and 2nd last does not matter.

  • Pool bets (Tote Scoop 6, ITV 7)

Pool bets offer the potential for big wins, with players required to select runners from anywhere between 4-7 races. Requirements to win are dependent on the pool type, for instance Scoop 6 asks players to pick a winner in each race, while a Placepot requires players to pick horses that will place in each contest.

If a punter is the last person standing, they will win the pool and its jackpot amount, while multiple winners will split the prize based on their original stakes.

Horse racing live streaming

Horse racing is one of the main sports for live streaming on UK betting sites, with some online bookies only showing racing coverage and no other events.

Betting sites are the best places to watch horse racing live as there is no delay on the feed.

When using other streaming services from broadcasters, you might be several seconds behind and this can affect your ability to trade or bet in-play.

Live betting on horse racing is only available on a few betting sites. The likes of Betfair and Bet365 are great for both live streaming and live betting, and you can do them simultaneously while races are taking place.

Betfair live betting horse racing

Betfair offer horse racing live betting and live streaming.

Ante-post Horse Racing betting

For punters that want to get their bets on early, it is beneficial to be registered with betting sites with ante-post horse racing odds.

Even though promotions such as Best Odds Guaranteed aren't eligible with ante-post wagers, you still might be able to get a bigger price by identifying value early on.

Major races such as the Grand National and Kentucky Derby can be found on most betting sites months in advance, but some betting sites also list smaller races days in advance, allowing users to get ante-post bets on.

Ladbrokes list many races under the 'Future' tab in their horse racing section, bet365 has an extensive dedicated ante-post menu, and Paddy Power list races long before they take place too.

Recommended horse racing betting site

Ladbrokes Horse Racing Betting

Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets

Ladbrokes is a reliable bookie, especially when it comes to horse racing which is such a big part of their history. Lots of races are available to bet on ante-post, and you can get odds boosts every day on a variety of markets. On top of that, you can stream many races live directly on their betting site or app.

Claim £20 offer

18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x 5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.


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