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At ClubSport, we understand the importance of trust when it comes to providing you with valuable insights into sports and betting. Our commitment to transparency and reliability sets us apart, and here's why you can have confidence in what we offer:
- Passion for Sports and Betting. We are passionate about sports and wagering, and this passion drives our dedication to delivering accurate and helpful information. We do not allow amateurs to write texts. Our team consists exclusively of experts who sincerely love sports and horse racing and have a deep understanding of the topic down to the smallest detail.
- Experienced Insights. We believe in the value of firsthand experience. Our reviews and recommendations are not based on superficial knowledge but on genuine involvement. We rely on experts who have been to racetracks and understand the intricacies. This ensures that our insights are practical and reliable.
- Up-to-Date Information. We prioritise keeping our statistics and information up-to-date. Sports are dynamic, and we want you to have access to the latest trends.
- Reputation Matters. Our reputation is on the line with every recommendation we make. We take this responsibility seriously and aim to be a trustworthy source for sports and betting enthusiasts. When we suggest horse bookies, we do so after careful evaluation of three major factors, ensuring that we recommend platforms that are safe, reliable, and offer excellent service.
Top 5 Horse Racing Betting Sites in the UK
- Extensive selection of horse racing events
- A wide variety of video broadcasts
- Access to previews and tips from Racing Post
- Expert tips available in the Naps Table section
- Advantage of the EPIC Odds promo to enhance your selections
- Late start of the BOG
- Lack of regular Free Bet promotions
Register at William Hill with code "T60" and opt-in on the 'Vegas' promotion page. Deposit and bet a minimum of £10 on selected Vegas games, with a 30x wagering requirement on the £20 bonus. Also, place a £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on any sportsbook market, using either additional deposits or winnings from Vegas. Post-qualification, receive a £40 bonus for sportsbook markets, excluding Virtuals. Wager this bonus within 7 days.
- Many horse racing streaming
- Great bonus program
- Super Extra Place
- Convenient navigation and filters
- Comparatively few international races
Register and deposit £10+ with a Debit Card within 7 days. Place a £10+ bet on qualifying Sportsbook markets at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater; only your first bet counts. After your bet settles, you'll receive £30 in Free bets within 10 hours, possibly later if extra documentation is needed. Use Free bets on any Sportsbook market within 7 days.
- Exceptional horse racing line-up
- In-Play events featuring Cash Out
- Outstanding video coverage
- Video replays for certain participants
- Claimed better odds than competitors for ITV races
- Navigation could be better
- Broadcasts are only available after betting
Deposit £5 or more within 30 days of registering to get 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to £30. To use the Bet Credits, bet the value of your deposit (max £10) within 30 days. Bets should have at least one selection at odds of 1/5 (1.20) or more. Edited, fully cashed out, or void bets don't qualify. Bet Credits are non-withdrawable, and if unused for 90 days, they expire.
- Special bets for horse racing
- Tote betting
- 'Build Your Own Race Card' feature
- Wagering advices from the leading tipsters
- Large withdrawals require additional verification
Register a new account, deposit £5+. Exclusions apply for certain payment methods. Place a sports bet of £5 win or accumulative up to £5 at odds of 1/2 or greater. For accumulators, each selection must be 1/2+. Avoid Tote or Pools. Bet within 14 days of registration. After, receive 4 x £5 Free bets. Use them within 7 days or they expire.
- Huge number of promotions
- Video streaming for most races
- Brief info on participants, coverage and weather
- Lots of ante-post bets
- Hard-to-reach live chat
Register and bet on any sports at odds of 2.00 (evens) or more. If you have losses on your first day, you'll get a refund of 50% up to £35 as a Free bet and 10 Free Spins on Smoking Hot Fruit Stacks (min. 3 bets needed). Your Free Bet is credited by 4 pm the following day and is valid for 7 days on events at odds of 1.50 (1/2) or higher.
How to Choose the Best Horse Racing Bookmaker
Choosing the best horse racing bookmaker isn't a beauty contest; it's about substance over style. Our selections are crafted based on specific, discerning criteria and we urge you to apply them in your own assessments of sportsbooks.
Betting markets
Anticipate that premier bookies will provide betting options for UK and Irish races. Ideally, their offerings should encompass competitions in the United States, France, Japan, and Australia, etc. Superfecta or Pick 6 are not a common thing, but major bookmakers like Bet365 and William Hill will provide it.
Odds
When selecting a bookmaker, it's crucial to consider the magnitude of the odds offered and margins that affect them. In simple terms, it represents the commission imposed by the bookie on each wager. In the realm of horse racing, a favourable benchmark is when the bookmaker's margin remains below 20%.
Live betting and streaming
Live streaming is non-negotiable for a UK bookmaker to be top-tier. And we are not just talking about UK or Ireland contests, but international events too, reaching as far as Australia and the USA. Miss out on the live stream, and you miss the essence of the competition. The expert view from ClubSport singles out Bet365, William Hill, and Betfred in this category.
Bonuses and promotions
Best Odds Guaranteed, Extra Place specials, Enhanced Odds, and Refunds if your selection is 2nd, 3rd, or 4th are the perks you need to look for. We can highlight BoyleSports here. Beyond the Up to £25 in Free bets welcome deal, they lay on a slate of horse racing promos. These include Money back as a Free bet if 2nd to SP favourite, Extra Place Races, Best Odds Guaranteed, and Money back as a Free bet if your runner fails to start.
Key Features of Horse Racing Betting Sites
All leading horse racing sportsbooks in the UK should encompass the following attributes:
- Comprehensive race information. Provide essential details, including participant names, age and weight, jockey and trainer information, as well as race length and surface conditions. The online bookmakers featured on our list go beyond the basics, offering concise event descriptions and participant reviews from reputable sports publications and expert opinions.
- Live streaming. Virtually every company highlighted in our list asserts its capability to deliver media coverage. Live streaming is deemed essential, particularly for most UK meetings, and the ability to stream events from countries like Ireland, the USA, France, Australia, and others is considered advantageous. Additionally, platforms that offer audio broadcasts are appreciated since this type of content places less demands on the speed of the Internet connection and for some users this may be important.
- Intuitive Interface. Recognizing the unique nature of horse racing compared to other sports, top betting sites should present meetings in a clear and easily navigable manner. An intuitive interface is crucial for seamless transitions between different events. Naturally, the same considerations extend to mobile applications, and we delve into this topic in greater detail below.
- Ease of Combining Bets. Given the popularity of combined wagers in equestrian sports, from simple doubles and trebles to more complex systems, top bookies should offer tools for effortless combination. For example, Ladbrokes' Build Racecard feature allows users to select up to 10 races from any UK and International meeting.
The following table offers a comparative overview of the key features among prominent UK horse racing betting sites.
| Bookmaker | Live streaming | Best Odds Guaranteed (Time/Payout) | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | UK & IE, many international races | After 8 AM / No Info | My Horses, Bet Boost, Each way Extra, Special Bets |
| BoyleSports | UK & IE, some international races | After 8 AM / £1,000 per day | Boost Odds, Extra Place Races, Moneyback (FB) if 2nd to SP favourite, Special Bets, Racing Post Verdict |
| Betfair | UK & IE, some international races | From 8 AM / £1,000 per day | Odds Boost, Extra Place Races, Special Bets |
| William Hill | UK & IE, many international races | From 10 AM / £25,000 per day | Enhanced Odds, Extra Places, Non-Runner Money Back, Special Bets, Racing Post Verdict |
| Ladbrokes | UK & IE, many international races | From 8 AM / £2,500 per day | Extra Places, Special Bets, Racing Post Verdict |
| Paddy Power | UK & IE, many international races | After 8 AM / £1,000 per day | Power Prices, Extra Places, Special Bets, Racing Post Verdict |
| QuinnBet | UK & IE, some international races | From 9 AM / £250 per bet | Daily Free Bet club, Extra Places |
| Betfred | UK & IE, many international races | After 8 AM / No Info | Free Bet If 2nd or 3rd, (Super) Extra Places, Racing Post Verdict, Special Bets |
Horse Racing Betting Markets
Horses and jockeys share a singular goal: to cross the finish line ahead of the competition. Yet the betting markets available are diverse, ranging from the most basic Win market on a single participant, to the complex Superfecta, where predicting the exact finish order of the top four runners is necessary. We will explore these and other popular bet types.
Win
The Win market stands as the fundamental choice. Select the horse you anticipate will take first place. While win bets necessitate precise selection, they often present lower odds compared to other markets.
Example: A £10 bet at odds of 3/1 would return £40 if successful, including the initial stake.
Place
There are more chances of winning with the Place market, but the odds are also lower. Punt with this option, and your pick needs only to finish in the top two or three places. The number of places paid out can vary depending on the size of the field.
Example: A £10 bet on a horse to place at 1/1 odds would return £20 if it finishes in the allocated top positions.
Each Way
This combines the potential of the Win and Place markets. It splits your stake to 'Win' and to 'Place' options. If your runner wins, you collect on both parts. A place finish still yields a return, albeit smaller.
Example: A £10 each-way bet (£20 total stake) on a win odds of 5/1 and place odds of 1/1 could return £70 if the horse wins or £20 if it only places.
Head to Head
This market presents an alternative for those interested in direct competition. You select which of two participants will finish higher, regardless of their overall position in the race. A popular option for its simplicity, it sidesteps the need to identify the outright winner, focusing instead on a duel between two competitors.
Example: A £10 bet at odds of 1/1 on one runner to outperform another could net a return of £20.
Exacta
Also known as Perfecta, this market requires you to predict the top two horses to finish first and second in exact order. This option demands not only a deep knowledge of the competitors, but also a strategic insight into their racing styles and the likely race dynamics. The rewards for accuracy can be lucrative, reflecting the challenge posed by this form of betting.
Example: A £10 bet on an Exacta at odds of 12/1 could bring a return of £130, including the stake.
Quinella
You are tasked with predicting the first two runners to finish, but in no specific order. This market is slightly more forgiving than the Exacta as it covers both possible winning combinations for two selections. It appeals to those who have identified the strongest contenders without being fully confident in the exact finishing sequence. The odds reflect the reduced difficulty in comparison to the Exacta.
Example: A £10 bet on a Quinella at odds of 8/1 would yield a return of £90 including stake.
Trifecta
Expand on the Exacta market by picking the top three in exact order. Skilled punters appreciate this option for the potential larger returns.
Example: A £10 bet on a Trifecta at odds of 40/1 could result in a return of £410 including the original stake.
Superfecta
The Superfecta elevates the challenge, requiring you to determine the first four finishers in precise sequence. If you are a beginner, we would recommend to treat this market carefully, as you may spoil your initial experience with a series of lost bets.
Example: A £10 bet on a Superfecta at odds of 100/1 may lead to a return of £1010, including the stake, should the bet succeed.
Top 3 Horse Racing Betting Apps
A top horse racing betting app should have the full functionality of the desktop site, intuitive navigation for quick decisions, swift performance, and wide device compatibility for universal access. Here's our top picks:
Bet365
The bet365 mobile application retained the key benefits and practical capabilities of the desktop website while introducing additional convenient options like Touch ID and Face ID. A notable aspect of the Bet365 application is its sophisticated push notification system. The app also boasts whiskey-smooth navigation within the horse racing section. When accessing a racecard, clicking on its name reveals a menu offering a selection of cards for all events.
BoyleSports
In this app there is a tab on the home page to navigate to the racing line, while another tab may appear under a big competition such as Cheltenham. In a nicely organised section you can immediately check out bonus offers, special markets, tips and insights, and scroll through the cards for upcoming races.
Betway
This bookmaker presents a superb range of events from the UK, Ireland, USA, France, South Africa, and various other countries, with many events available for streaming. A useful feature of the bookmaker is the concise tips provided beneath each runner's name. These hints offer a quick assessment of the horse's betting potential, enabling a preliminary evaluation before delving into detailed statistics and form analysis. Not all horse racing betting applications have this option.
Horse Racing Tournaments in UK
Let's talk about five well-known horse racing events: the Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot, Epsom Derby, and St. Leger Stakes. These are five important events, each with its own unique history and challenges. Virtually all British bookmakers provide betting markets for these prestigious tournaments.
Grand National
The Grand National isn't just any run; it's a real test. It takes place in Aintree, Liverpool, and is famous for its tough jumps, like Becher's Brook and The Chair. These competitions have been happening since 1839 and are known for being one of the most challenging, where horses and jockeys need to be really brave and skilled.
- In Becher's Brook, animals need to jump over 5-foot obstacles.
- In 1928, only two participants out of 42 made it to the finish line due to extremely harsh weather conditions.
- Red Rum, one of the most famous Grand National winners, won this competition three times in the 1970s.
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is a must-visit for fans of jump racing. It's held at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire for four exciting days in March. The festival features many prestigious contests, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. It's where the best jump racing horses compete to become champions.
- The Cheltenham Festival attracts over 200,000 visitors each year.
- The Gold Cup has a prize fund of over £625,000.
- Arkle, a legendary racehorse, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three years in a row in the 1960s.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is a complete social event that combines high fashion with royalty. It happens every year at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire and has been around since 1711. The races include prestigious events like the Gold Cup and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, attracting the elite of society.
- Royal Ascot is attended by Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British royal family.
- The dress code for attendees is strict, with a tradition of fashionable hats and formal attire.
- The event includes the Royal Procession, where the royal family arrives in horse-drawn carriages.
Epsom Derby
The Epsom Derby is like the gold standard of flat racing. It's been happening at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey since 1780, making it the world's most famous flat race. The unique course with its rolling hills really tests a runner's speed and stamina. Winning the Derby is a really big deal.
- The Epsom Derby is often referred to as the "Blue Riband" of the turf.
- Its name comes from the 12th Earl of Derby, who organised the first run in 1780.
- The course at Epsom Downs features a challenging left-hand turn known as Tattenham Corner.
St. Leger Stakes
It was established in 1776 and takes place at Doncaster Racecourse in South Yorkshire. It's the final stage of the English Triple Crown and is known for its long distance of one mile, six furlongs, and 115 yards, which makes it a tough test for three-year-old horses. Winning The Leger is a significant achievement.
- The St. Leger Stakes is the oldest of the British Classic races, predating the Derby and the Oaks.
- It's named after the founder Lieutenant Colonel Anthony St. Leger.
- The 1813 race is known as the "Palmeister St. Leger" due to a controversy over the winning horse's true identity.
| Event | Location | Date (2024) | Ticket Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand National | Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool | April 11-13 | From £35 (Festival Zone) |
| Cheltenham Festival | Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire | March 12-15 | From £25 (Best Mate Enclosure) |
| Royal Ascot | Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire | June 18-22 | From £26 (Windsor Enclosure) |
| Epsom Derby | Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey | May 31 - June 1 | From £22 (Upper Tattenham) |
| St. Leger Stakes | Doncaster Racecourse, South Yorkshire | September 12-15 | From £30 (Maxsaver Earlybird) |
Tips for Successful Horse Racing Betting
If you don't regularly attend tracks, grasping betting on this sport can be challenging. Here, comprehending the intricacies of rider psychology is just as crucial as understanding the horses' condition and the track quality. Successful wagering demands keen observation and hands-on experience, so we strongly advise taking note of our recommendations and guidance.
- Stay informed. Research is your best friend. Study the horses, jockeys, trainers, and track conditions for each event. Watching competitions, especially replays, can help you identify participants with particular strengths or weaknesses. Does the runner consistently start slow but finish strong? You can factor that into your future bets. Does a particular jockey perform exceptionally well on a wet track? Find out the weather forecast for the upcoming race. Any information about the track, the current form of the participants, and performance statistics can be the key to success.
- Diversify your bets. Avoid putting all your money on a single bet. Spread your wagers to minimise risk. Place a combination of win, place, or head-to-head bets instead of solely betting on one horse to win.
- Track trends and patterns. Monitor odds movements and patterns, as they can provide valuable insights. If you notice a sudden increase in bets on a particular runner just before the race, it might indicate insider information or strong support from experienced bettors.
- Bankroll management. Set a budget and stick to it. Never wager more than you can afford to lose. If your betting budget for the day is £100, don't exceed that limit, even if you're on a losing streak. Universal advice: do not bet more than 5-10% of the total budget at a time.
- Keep emotions in check and bet responsibly. Avoid making impulsive wagers based on gut feelings or emotional attachments to the participants. Don't bet on a horse just because it has a catchy name or is ridden by a famous jockey if the odds and form don't support it. Gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a way to make a living. Only stake what you can afford to lose. Consider your wagers as a form of entertainment, like going to a movie or a restaurant, and don't rely on them for income.
- Think more. That’s the most interesting part, actually. Opposite to game sports betting, where you can find a constellation of different well-explained strategies based on maths, horse racing is a more subtle art. Each experienced player can present you their own strategy created for years of backing. You can find your own way too, then come to any advice section in the web or book and say “this is ridiculous, it’ll never gonna work, I will show you what’s work”.
In Сonclusion
The top UK horse racing bookies are intensely competing to outperform their colleagues. Best bookies provide comprehensive information on races and participants, including the names of jockeys, trainers, horses, their age and weight, track distance and conditions. Live streaming coverage of UK and international meets is now standard, sometimes even with audio commentary. Intuitive mobile apps allow quick wagering during short betting windows. The top websites invest in developing high-quality mobile apps that provide a seamless usage. Naturally, bonuses are a must-have. We have only included bookmakers who are generous with various promotional offers for betting on this fascinating sport. We evaluated sites on these criteria to identify the best in the category.
Horse Racing Betting Sites FAQs
Are horse racing betting sites legal in the UK?
Yes, these sites are completely legal in the UK. In the United Kingdom, gambling is regulated by the Gambling Commission, which oversees both land-based and online gambling activities. The licence of a bookmaker can be located either in the "About the company" section at the bottom of their website or in the main menu. We exclusively assess lawful platforms, ensuring that all the bookmakers featured in our content operate within the legal framework in the UK.
Which bookmakers offer betting on totalisator?
Tote, Bet365, Ladbrokes, William Hill, BoyleSports, and other prominent sites featured in our list possess licences to conduct Totalisator operations during horse race meetings. While certain fixed odds bookmakers integrate the totalisator on specific event pages, others provide this feature in distinct sections of their platforms.
Can I bet on horse racing from other countries?
Yes, you can bet on international horse racing events through UK bookmakers such as Bet365, Ladbrokes, and William Hill, which feature races from the USA, Australia, France, South Africa, among others. The coverage of these may not match the comprehensive offering for UK and Irish events, and not all international races may be accompanied by live streaming options.