How can you trust us?
Acknowledging the unique nature of each sport, our approach to reviewing horse racing betting sites is distinct from, say, football. We ensure that our statistics are current, trend analysis is rigorous, and that we spotlight bookmakers offering competitive odds, exemplary service, and attractive bonuses. The credibility of ClubSport hinges on recommending only the top bookies.
When evaluating wagering platforms, we pay particular attention to:
- Experienced Insights. First-hand experience is valuable to us. The reviews and recommendations we make are not based on superficial knowledge but on genuine involvement. Our experts have been to racetracks and understand the nuances. In this way, we ensure that our insights are both practical and reliable.
- Up-to-date information. We prioritise keeping our statistics and information up-to-date. We want you to keep up with the latest trends in sports.
- Reputation is important. Whenever we make a recommendation, our reputation is on the line. 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.
Our objective is to equip you with a wagering platform that matches the satisfaction a winning jockey finds in their steed.
Top 5 Horse Racing Betting Sites in Canada
How to Choose the Best Horse Racing Bookmaker
We can recommend the best bookies in Canada based on our comprehensive analysis of online platforms. We use the following criteria to determine the quality of the product:
Markets
We can expect top racing betting sites to offer markets for all local and Canadian races. Ideally, their markets should also include competition in the USA, France, Japan and Australia as well.
- 1xBet encompasses not just mainstream horse and greyhound races but also events from less commonly featured regions such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Turkey, Japan etc.
- William Hill covers all races in Canada and the British Isles and also offers markets for all the major tracks like Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Kentucky Derby, and the Dubai World Cup.
Odds
Margin is how bookies make money. When it is lower, the quotes are greater, and therefore your chances of winning increase. Our goal is to recommend sportsbooks that do not inflate their taxes. The margin of a bookmaker is considered favourable when it is lower than 20% in the realm of horse racing.
- BetOnline and My Bookie more often than others offer high odds. Starting at 11%, those are good market numbers.
Live Betting and Streaming
Wagering during a race is an activity in and of itself. So, it needs to be evaluated separately. It is important to understand how odds work, how fast bets are confirmed, and when a bookmaker stops accepting live stakes. Furthermore, it is important to watch the race live.
- William Hill, 1xBet and Wazamba are the best on these parameters. On their sites, you can find broadcasts not only of major meetings but also of the rare competitions hosted worldwide.
Bonuses and Promotions
In addition to the welcome offer, several other promotions are offered by the best racebooks in Canada, including Boosts, BOG, Free Bets, and Extra Places.
- BetOnline has several promotions tailored for horse racing fans, including the Daily 9% Rebate and a $25 Risk-Free Bet. BetOnline welcomes local punters with a generous offer of 50% up to C$1,000.
- MyBookie offers a similar welcome offer of 50% up to C$1,000 + C$10 Casino Chip and 8% Rebate.
Deposit and withdrawal methods
Pay as you wish and without any fees. It is best if the bookie supports as many payment methods as possible, and should not force you to transfer money from one wallet to another.
- MyBookie promotes Bitcoin deposits and offers several popular cryptocurrencies for transactions via the Cash App payment service. Also, 1xBet and William Hill score highly in this category.
Key Features of Horse Racing Betting Sites
All top Canadian horse racing sportsbooks should offer the following features:
- Live streaming. In most local meetings, live streaming is required. Streaming events from the USA, Britain, Australia and other countries is an advantage. It would be great if Canadian platforms also broadcast races in audio format. As of now, most of them are inferior to foreign sportsbooks in this parameter.
- Race details and participants. The minimum amount of information should include the rider and trainer names, horse age and weight, race length, and surface conditions.
- An intuitive interface. It's better when the racing line is displayed separately. As a result, the racebook section can be easily navigated.
- The simplicity of combining bets. In equestrian sports, combinations are popular, from simple Exacta and Trifecta to complex systems. Quality betting sites, e.g. BetOnline and MyBookie provide tools to do this automatically.
The following table compares the other main features of Canadian betting sites.
Sportsbook | Live streaming | Best Odds Guaranteed | Special Feature | Free Bet Bonuses for regular customers | Horse Racing Tips |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
William Hill | CA & US, many international races | Yes | Enhanced Odds, Extra Places | No | Yes |
BetOnline | No | No | Boost Odds | $25 Risk-Free Bet, Daily 9% Rebate | Yes |
MyBookie | No | No | W/P Parlay, Daily Double | 8% Horse Rebate | No |
1xBet | US, UK, many international races | No | No | Sports promotions, but not horse-specific | No |
Wazamba | CA, US, FR, AU, UK & more | No | No | 10% Cashback Bonus, Acca Boost | No |
Horse Racing Betting Markets
Depending on how many outcomes you choose, you can bet on various combinations. Horse race bookies in our ratings allow you to automatically create over a dozen systems. The ante-posts are available only in the sections dedicated to upcoming races.
Here are the most popular types.
Win
The Win market remains the most fundamental choice. Predict which horse will win the race. Despite the need for precise selection, win bets typically offer lower odds than other markets.
Example: A C$10 bet at odds of 3/1 would return C$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 C$10 bet on a horse to place at 1/1 odds would return C$20 if it finishes in the allocated top positions.
Win/Place Parlay (also known as Each-way or Win/Each-way)
This type combines two outcomes:
- Winning the race (1st place)
- Winning the place at the top. The Place bet is the second part of the W/P parlay, in which the horse must finish in a particular position (e.g. from 1st to 4th). The range depends on the number of participants in the race.
Example: An each-way bet is split into two parts. If the stake is C$20, C$10 on the win and C$10 on the place. The choice wins: both bets pay. The horse places: only place bet pays. Outside top positions: both bets lose.
Betting Without the Favourite
It's usually displayed separately. The odds of the other participants winning are recalculated after the favourite (the participant with the lowest quotes) is excluded from the list. If your runner comes first or second (after the favourite), your bet wins.
The Betting Without tab can be found at MyStake, 1xBet, William Hill and others.
Four-fold Accumulator
Multi-bets with four or more selections are called accumulators. As predicting four outcomes in horse racing is very difficult, this type of wager is not often used. Because of this, large accumulators do not have special names.
Trixie
An interesting alternative to a treble. This type of combination requires three independent selections, from these, four multi-bets are formed:
- 3 doubles (AxB, AxC, BxC)
- 1 treble (AxBxC)
You stake on each of these combinations (automatically, by choosing outcomes and entering the stake amount). If you predict two selections correctly, you win, if three selections are predicted correctly, then this can result in a big profit. For example, the odds of all selections are 1/1. With a €5 bet, one winning double at 3/1 will return all the money spent. If a bettor predicts all three selections, they will get 20 + 20 + 20 + 40 = €100.
Yankee, Lucky 15, Heinz
These are system combinations similar to Trixie. They contain:
- Yankee: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold accumulator
- Lucky 15: 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold accumulator
- Heinz: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds, 1 six-fold accumulator
All these types of wagers are available on the major competitions at William Hill. System Calculator can also be found on their site.
Ante-Post Bets
Involves wagering on runners that have been announced for an upcoming race or event but have not been confirmed by the starting list. If a horse does not start, the bet is not returned by default, though it might be possible due to a special promo. At the same time, the ante-post format allows catching the best odds. The outcome includes the risk of no return, and therefore it will be priced higher.
At 1xBet, you can find an extensive Ante-Post section.
Top 3 Horse Racing Betting Apps
Here are the top 3 betting apps selected by ClubSport, available on Android and iOS:
Canadian Horse Racing Tournaments
If you want to attend a particular race, here are the most notable events. Don't forget to grab a betting app to place your bets right at the racetrack.
The King’s Plate
The King's Plate is the first jewel in the Triple Crown, setting the stage for the country's most gifted thoroughbreds Held at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, it is the oldest stakes race in North America. It was inaugurated in 1860, a testament to Canada's deep-rooted equestrian traditions. The event unfolds over a mile and a quarter (2 km) on a Tapeta surface, challenging Canadian-bred three-year-olds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 lb, while fillies carry 121 lb. The race boasts a purse of C$1 million.
This year, the 165th iteration of The King's Plate promises an event of significant magnitude. Scheduled for August 17, 2024, at Woodbine, expectations are high. Last year, the race not only saw a record handle but also attracted a sold-out crowd. With over C$18.1 million wagered across all races on King's Plate Day, the event's financial impact is unmistakable.
The Prince of Wales Stakes
A testament to Canada's rich equestrian tradition, it’s taking place annually at the Fort Erie Race Track in Ontario. Presented in 1929, this prestigious race showcases the country's best three-year-old thoroughbreds. Competing over a challenging distance of 1+3/16 miles on a dirt surface, participants vie for a purse of C$400,000. This race not only tests the speed and agility of the contenders but also their ability to endure a demanding course, making it a pivotal moment in Canada's racing calendar. As the second jewel in the Triple Crown, following the King's Plate, it attracts attention nationwide.
The Breeders’ Stakes
The final jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown is contested over 1 1/2 miles on the lush turf of the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. With its inception in 1889, the race has cemented its place as a testament to endurance and adaptability, offering a C$400,000 purse that attracts the nation’s top three-year-old thoroughbreds. In addition to the preceding races on synthetic and dirt tracks, this turf challenge showcases the versatility and resilience required of Canadian true champions.
The Canadian International Stakes
The turf race of 1 1/2 miles for thoroughbreds three years and older at Woodbine Racetrack, boasts a C$750,000 purse. Since its inception in 1938, this Grade 1 event held annually in October is a highlight of the international racing calendar, epitomising the pinnacle of competition and sportsmanship. Sadly, the Canadian International Stakes will not be held in 2024 due to industry and logistical challenges.
The Ricoh Woodbine Mile
A beacon of North American turf racing, is celebrated at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack. Established in 1997, this Grade 1 event has quickly ascended to prominence, drawing a competitive field of three-year-olds and older to battle over one mile on the renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course. With a generous purse of C$1 million, it attracts top-tier talent from across the globe, eager to claim victory in this prestigious race.
Besides testing competitors' speed and strategy, the Woodbine Mile also showcases flat racing's beauty and intensity. Through the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, it offers a gateway to the Breeders' Cup Mile.
Event | Location | Date (2024) |
---|---|---|
The King’s Plate | Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto | August 17 |
The Prince of Wales Stakes | Fort Erie Race Track, Ontario | September 10 |
The Woodbine Mile | Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto | September 14 |
The Breeders’ Stakes | Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto | September 29 |
The Canadian International Stakes | Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto | Will not be held in 2024 |
Tips for Successful Horse Racing Betting
This wagering destination can be difficult to understand if you don't visit the racetrack often. Here are some recommendations:
- Expert Analysis and Guidance. Tip number one is to not refuse tips. Check out expert blogs for each event, rider, and horse. On the best wagering sites, such as William Hill, you can find news and reviews from professionals who have a connection to the racing industry. Expert opinions can provide valuable insights into a runner's chances of winning, emphasising factors that may not be immediately obvious. However, it is important to remember that no advice or analysis is foolproof. Supplement your research and judgement with what experts think.
- Track Conditions. Understanding how participants perform on different track conditions, like firm, soft, or heavy tracks, can greatly influence your decisions. The surface and trampling of the path sometimes make a huge difference.
- Jockey and Trainer Performance. Jockeys and trainers are crucial to the success of a race. You should look for jockeys who are known for their racing tactics and trainers who have a history of conditioning winning runners. Taking a look at their past performance can provide valuable insights. You can use any information you can find, including their interviews.
- Betting Markets and Odds. Gain familiarity with different wager types and understand the odds. Check quotes across bookmakers to find value bets - overpriced outcomes may offer better returns. An example of such research is shown in our table above.
- Race Observation. When you watch races, you will become more knowledgeable and more capable of identifying potential winners. Observe how horses, jockeys, and trainers perform in different situations.
Additionally, you should follow responsible gaming practices. This means acknowledging betting as a form of entertainment, recognizing the risks involved, and never allowing it to negatively impact your personal life or financial stability.
In Conclusion
Choosing the best horse racing sites involves considering markets, odds, live wagering and streaming capabilities, rewards, mobile app usability, and payment methods. Our analysis highlights the strengths of each platform, from William Hill's comprehensive previews and BetOnline's tailored promotions to MyBookie's rebates and 1xBet's wide event coverage. Wazamba, despite its distinct design, offers comprehensive races betting services without specific promotions but compensates with other attractive offers.
Horse Racing Betting Sites FAQs
Are Horse Racing Betting Sites Legal in Canada?
Yes, you can bet online in Canada. The sports wagering industry was legalised in 2021 with the passing of the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. However, there may be different local rules depending on the province/territory, such as the minimum age requirement for registration with a bookmaker.
Do Canadian Bookmakers Offer Live Streaming of Horse Races?
Some bookies, such as William Hill, 1xBet, and Wazamba, offer live streams from racecourses around the world.
When I Am in Canada, Can I Bet on Horse Racing from Other Countries?
Yes. You can bet on horses around the world. BetOnline, My Bookie, William Hill and 1xBet cover all major competitions in America, Europe, LatAm and the Middle East.