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How can you trust us?
We are passionate about sports and betting and strive to make our site as useful as possible for novices and seasoned punters alike. We realise that all sports are different, so we don't trust writing a horse betting review to someone who has never been to a racetrack. The same goes for all other aspects. The statistics we provide are up-to-date, we track consistent trends, search for the best odds, and we recommend bookmakers with good service and bonuses.
At ClubSport, we are serious about suggesting only the best horse bookies because our reputation is on the line. In checking them out, we pay attention to three major factors:
- First, we check if their technology is up-to-date and if everything works as it should. We want to know you're wagering on a platform that's safe and reliable.
- Next, we dive into what races and types of bets they have for you and how you can pay and get paid. Easy payments and good deals are a must.
- Finally, we see if their website is easy to use and if you can get support quickly.
Our review aims to make sure you are as happy with your platform as a successful jockey is with his horse. Now let's get to the details.
Top 5 Horse Racing Betting Sites in Ireland
- Exceptional line for horse racing
- In-Play events with Cash Out
- Video and audio streaming
- Video replays for some participants
- Claimed better odds than competitors for ITV races
- Navigation could be more fluent
Deposit between €5 to €10 and place a bet that contains at least one selection with odds of 1/5 (1.20) or greater within 30 days of registering your account. You will receive 300% of the deposit amount in bet credits, up to a maximum of €30. You must claim your offer within 30 days of registering your account. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, paysafecard and all other prepaid cards cannot be used for qualifying deposits. T&Cs apply.
- Huge horse racing line
- Wide video and audio broadcasting coverage
- Previews and tips from Racing Post
- Naps Table section offers expert tips
- EPIC Odds promo to boost your selections
- Difficult to access live chat
Register at William Hill with the code X60, opt in for 'Vegas'. Deposit €10, receive a €20 Vegas bonus, with 30x wagering. Bet €10+ at odds of 1/2 (1.5) on the sportsbook with cash or Vegas winnings post wagering. After bet settlement, get a €40 sportsbook bonus. The Vegas bonus: use it within 72 hours, and meet its wagering requirements. The sportsbook bonus: redeem it within 30 days.
- Video replays from previous runs
- Racing Post and Timeform info and tips
- Lengthen markets
- 'Rewards for Racing' promotion
- Lack of collapsed tabs for better navigation
Open an account with the promo code YSKARZ and deposit a minimum of €5 using a debit card to receive a €20 Sports Free bet. Place a minimum €5 bet on sports at odds of EVS (2.0) or greater within 30 days of account opening. Your Free bet, valid for 30 days, is awarded post the qualifying bet settlement.
- Great event coverage
- Live betting with Cash Out
- Tips from Racing Post and other media
- 'Build Your Own Race Card' feature
- You can't roll up a country in a spoiler
Deposit €5 or more, avoiding prepaid cards, Moneybookers, InstantBank, Paypal, Paysafe, Neteller, or Skrill. Bet €5 or more at odds of 1.5 (1/2) or greater within 14 days of registration. After the bet settlement, you'll get 4 x €5 Free bets, which must be used within 7 days, or they'll expire. The offer is valid until 31.12.2024.
- Lots of promotions
- Daily Free Bet club
- Separate tabs for each country
- Video streaming
- Some races are not broadcasted
Place your first bet of €10 or more at odds of EVS (2.00) or greater on any sports market. Regardless of the outcome, you'll receive €50 in Free bets and bonuses: 3 x €10 Free bets for QuinnBet markets at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater, a €20 casino bonus, plus 10 Free spins on Smoking Hot Fruit Stacks. Your Free bets will be credited by 4 P.M. the day after your qualifying bet settlement and must be used within 7 days.
How to Choose the Best Horse Racing Bookmaker
With our in-depth analysis of online platforms, we can recommend the best horse racing bookmakers in Ireland that are as convenient, reliable, and trustworthy. To determine the best for each, we use the following criteria:
Betting markets
We can expect top horse racing betting sites to offer markets for all local and Irish races. Ideally, their markets should also include competition in the USA, France, Japan and Australia as well.
William Hill covers all races in Ireland and the British Isles. It also offers markets for all the major tracks of the year, including Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Kentucky Derby, and the Dubai World Cup.
Odds
Horse racing bookies make money on margins. When they are lower, the odds are greater, and therefore your chances of winning increase. We only recommend bookmakers that don't inflate their taxes.
Bet365 more often than others offers low margins on horse racing. Starting at 15%, those are good market numbers (see the comparison table below). Additionally, they claim they won't be beaten on price for all UK and Irish races broadcast live on ITV Racing as part of the Price Promise.
Live betting and streaming
We are sure that wagering during a race is a form of activity in its own right. This is why it needs to be evaluated separately. We must understand how odds work, how quickly bets are confirmed, and when the bookmaker stops accepting live bets. In addition, the race should be watched in person.
William Hill, Bet365, Paddy Power and BoyleSports are the best on these parameters. On their sites, you can find broadcasts not only of Irish horse racing but also of the competitions hosted by the USA, Australia, South Africa, UAE and other countries
Bonuses and promotions
The best online horse racing betting sites in Ireland offer many incentives, including Odds Boosts, BOG, Free Bets, Extra Places etc. We focus on welcome bonuses for new customers to maximise your benefits from the start.
Bar One Racing offers a Free bet of €50 when you sign up. Additionally, they offer Best Odds Guaranteed on horses and dogs, as well as Rewards Club and Dead Heat promotions.
User-Friendly Mobile App
Almost all bookmakers want to win bettors' smartphones, but their mobile software isn't always up to par. To recommend the best horse racing betting apps, we will evaluate several factors. Our focus is on how easy it is to use the interface on a small phone screen and whether all the functions of the website are available in the app.
With BoyleSports' app, horse racing bets are accessible via a tab at the top, while other tabs or a drop-down menu will help you select a race.
Deposit and withdrawal methods
Pay as you wish and without any fees. Best bookmakers should support as many payment methods as possible, and should not force bettor's to transfer money between wallets.
It's easier to mark the worst than the best here. However, William Hill and 888sport are among the best.
Key Features of Horse Racing Betting Sites
All top Irish horse racing sportsbooks should offer the following features:
- Race details and participants. Jockey and trainer names, horse age and weight, race length and surface conditions are the minimum amount of information. The online bookmakers on our list provide brief descriptions of the races and review the participants by respected sports publications as well as expert opinions.
- Live streaming. Almost every company on our list claims to provide us with media coverage, so we can demand it and expect it. In most Irish meetings, live streaming is required. Streaming events from the USA, France, Australia and other countries is an advantage. Additionally, we appreciate Irish sports platforms broadcasting races in audio.
- An intuitive interface. As horse racing is different from other individual and team sports, horse racing betting sites must display the meetings and races as clearly as possible so it is easy to switch between them.
- The simplicity of combining bets. In equestrian sports, combined bets are popular, from simple doubles and trebles to complex systems. Good horse race betting sites provide tools to do this automatically. The Build Racecard feature at Ladbrokes, for example, allows you to select up to 10 races from any IRE and International meeting.
The following table compares the other main features of Irish horse racing betting sites.
| Sportsbook | Live streaming | Best Odds Guaranteed | Special Feature | Free Bet Bonuses for regular customers | Horse Racing Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | IE & UK, many international races | Yes | My Horses, Bet Boost, Each way Extra | No | Yes |
| BoyleSports | IE & UK, some international races | Yes, on horses and greyhounds | Boost Odds, Extra Place Races | Free Bets up to €20 if 2nd to SP favourite | Yes |
| Betfair | IE & UK, some international races | No | Lengthen The Odds, Extra Place Races | Free Bet on racing multiples, up to €10 | Yes |
| Bar One Racing | Only for IE & UK | Yes, also on dogs | Dead Heat | Weekly Cash Back up to 10% back in cash | Horse Racing news |
| Ladbrokes | IE & UK, many international races | Yes, on horses and greyhounds | Extra Place Races from around the World | Daily Placepot | Yes |
| Paddy Power | IE & UK, many international races | Yes | Power Prices, Extra Places | Free Bets on greyhound racing | Yes |
| QuinnBet | IE & UK, some international races | Yes | Daily Free Bet club | Free Bet for the horse that comes second to the favourite | No |
| William Hill | IE & UK, many international races | Yes | Enhanced Odds, Extra Places | No | Yes |
Betting Odds for Horse Racing
Modern punters more often prefer fixed odds over totalisators, but the principle remains the same.
Each market has a commission set by the bookmaker, called a margin. The lower it is, the better the odds and the greater the profits for the punters. In order to provide you with the best betting conditions, we compare commissions from all Irish horse racing bookies.
We analysed the bookmakers' margins on horse betting at Punchestown Racecourse in January 2024. The following is what we came up with.
| Bookmaker | Margin |
|---|---|
| Bet365 | 15.61% |
| Ladbrokes | 16.95% |
| Paddy Power | 17.92% |
| William Hill | 20.09% |
| BoyleSports | 20.53% |
| 888sport | 23.38% |
| Betfair | 23.45% |
| Sky Bet | 23.45% |
It is not the most popular or representative race. Despite that, you can see that bookmakers' margins are relatively similar even in such a niche market. The only margins that differ are those of Bet365, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power. And this is a reason to look for special wagering conditions, such as Boosted Odds, BOG, or Extra Places.
Horse Racing Betting Markets
There are a variety of ways to place a wager on horse racing in Ireland. Depending on how many markets you choose, you can bet on various combinations. Horse racing bookies in our ratings allow you to automatically create over a dozen systems.
Bets like Forecast and Tricast can also be placed in the betslip, although Paddy Power and BoyleSports put them in a separate betting category. The ante-posts are available only in the sections dedicated to upcoming races.
Here are the most popular types of bets.
Each-way (also known as Win/Each-way or Win/Place)
This type combines two bets:
- A bet on winning the race (1st place)
- The Place bet is the second part of the Each-way bet, in which the horse must finish in a particular position (e.g. from 1st to 4th). According to the bookmaker's policy, the range depends on the number of participants in the race.
E.g., the odds for a horse to win are 8/1 (9.0). For an Each-way bet, the bookmaker determines 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places. The odds for a bet on the place are 1/4 (1,25) of the odds for a win bet, i.e. the real multiplier is 2/1 (8/1 : 1/4) = 3.0 (33.3%). You bet €5 on the Win and Place parts each, i.e. €10 in total. Payouts in all cases are:
- The horse comes in first. Both parts of the bet are a win. The winnings are: 5 x 8/1 + 5 * 2/1 = €45 + 15 = €60.
- The horse comes in third. Only a Place part wins: 5 * 2/1 = €15.
- The horse comes in fifths. It is a total loss for the bet.
Betting Without the Favourite
It's usually displayed separately for this kind of bet. The odds of the other horses winning are recalculated after the favourite (the participant with the lowest odds) is excluded from the list. If your horse comes first or second (after the favourite), your bet wins.
The Betting Without tab can be found at Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, BoyleSports, Bet365 and many others.
Single
There is only one selection in this bet. Depending on the wager, it can be a winning bet, a place bet, an Each-way bet, etc. There are no other bets connected to a single choice.
Bar One Racing will refund your single stake up to €100 if the jockey refuses to race. This offer applies to Irish and UK tracks only.
Double
It is similar to an accumulator with selections. In one bet slip, the punter combines two independent bets, for example on two horses winning different races. The odds of both events are multiplied, increasing the multiplier of the double bet, but both selections must win. The entire bet is lost if one loses.
The double (like any acca) can combine most independent single markets, but not all. If a selection is not suitable for a multi-bet, the bookmaker will note it on the bet slip.
Treble
Another form of the popular accumulator, this one combines three independent selections.
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 bet is not often used. Because of this, large accumulators do not have special names.
Paddy Power offers ready-made Most Popular Accas of 3-4 events, which can be easily added to the bet slip with one click.
Trixie
Wagering on horse racing at online sites attracts bettors because it is easy to set up complex systems that offer some insurance if a selection loses.
A Trixie is 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)
The customer bets on each of these combinations. If they predict two selections correctly, they win, if three selections are predicted correctly, then this can result in a big profit. For example, horse racing betting odds of all selections are 1/1. With a €5 bet, one winning double at odds of 3/1 will return all the money spent. If a bettor predicts all three selections, they will get 20 + 20 + 20 + 40 = €100.
There is no need for you to combine Trixie yourself. In most companies all you have to do is to select three markets, include the wager in the bet slip and enter the amount.
Yankee, Lucky 15, Heinz
A Trixie is some of the simplest combinations, but there are many others.
The Yankee requires four selections, which are combined as follows:
- 6 doubles
- 4 trebles
- 1 four-fold accumulator
If you add 4 singles bets to a Yankee, you get Lucky 15:
- 4 singles
- 6 doubles
- 4 trebles
- 1 four-fold accumulator
A system may include several dozen bets - such as Heinz's, which has six selections and 57 possible combinations:
- 15 doubles
- 20 trebles
- 15 four-folds
- 6 five-folds
- 1 six-fold accumulator
All these types of bets are available on the major competitions at Paddy Power.
Ante-Post Bets
Ante-Post Betting involves wagering on horses 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. 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 Bet365, you can find an extensive Ante Post section.
Lengthen The Odds
BoyleSports offers to choose the distances that your jockey will win by. Typically, there are five lengths to choose from.
Mobile Horse Racing Betting Experience
To avoid misunderstandings, let’s explain the criteria for the best horse apps for mobile devices. The following criteria were used by the ClubSport team when selecting the best apps:
- Both Android and iOS versions are available
- All desktop website features are supported
- An intuitive and usable interface
Pre-race betting on the mobile app is usually as convenient as on the desktop version of the site. However, if you want to wager during the race, easy navigation is required.
Depending on the distance, the race lasts from two to five minutes. As the race changes, you need to be able to select the right option quickly. Everything must literally be at your fingertips, so you won't have to deal with the search for the right button in the horse app.
Top 3 Horse Racing Betting Apps
The top 3 mobile apps for racing punters, in our opinion, are:
BoyleSports
To navigate the BoyleSports app you don’t have to use the control buttons at the bottom of the screen to select a sport and a tournament. Horse racing bets are accessed via the permanent tab at the top of the main playing space, while other tabs or a drop-down menu will help you select a race. This arrangement of space is quite intuitive, as all the tools for navigation are always on the screen, not hidden away in other menus.
William Hill
In the sections of priority sports (horse racing one of them) you can switch between tabs (marked with square buttons) in the main playing space at the top. It is also possible to do this via the Sports button in the static menu at the bottom. Note that different buttons are used to open the bet slip and wagers placed, which is quite unusual, but some punters appreciate it. Links to all sections are hidden in the side menu, which is accessed by a button in the top left corner of the screen.
Paddy Power
This app will suit those who are used to the Paddy Power web. The spaces are organised very similarly to the website, which is optimised for small screens on portable devices. The usual static buttons at the bottom of the screen are hardly used to navigate the betting section (most of them lead to casino sections). At the same time, it is quite convenient to navigate the horse bets through the main area of the application without any additional interface elements.
Irish Horse Racing Tournaments
Irish Grand National
The Irish Grand National is a prestigious steeplechase held annually at Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath. Since 1870, this handicap race (5,834 metres) has been a fixture on Easter Monday. It features top-class National Hunt horses, which attract a large crowd. The race, held on turf and run on a right-handed track, now boasts a total prize pot of €500,000, with €270,000 awarded to the winner.
As one of the highlights of the Irish horse racing calendar, it holds significant status and is a popular event for wagering. As sponsorship of the Irish Grand National evolved over the years, Ladbrokes sponsored it until 2013, followed by Boylesports.
Irish Derby
The Irish Derby is a prestigious Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. The race takes place annually at the Curragh, typically in late June or early July. Covering a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) on a turf surface, the race is run on a right-handed track. The Irish Derby is Ireland's counterpart to the Derby Stakes and usually occurs four weeks after the English event.
First run in 1866, the Irish Derby was originally contested over 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 3 yards. It was shortened to its current distance in 1872. Now it stands as a highlight of the three-day Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh, boasting a purse of €1,000,000, with €580,000 awarded to the winner.
Punchestown Festival
The Punchestown Festival, a pinnacle event in the Irish National Hunt season, is traditionally held in County Kildareat the end of April (sometimes also at the beginning of May). Known as the Irish counterpart to the Cheltenham Festival, it mirrors a similar format and is steeped in a rich history dating back to the first race meeting of the Kildare Hunt Club on 1 April 1850. During such prestigious events, betting fans often look forward to special bonuses like Cheltenham Free Bets to get extras and expand their opportunities to play.
Punchestown's significance extends beyond just horse racing; it is also the venue for Ireland's renowned International Three-Day Event. The festival's major races include the Champion Chase, Ryanair Novice Chase, Champion Hurdle, World Series Hurdle, and the Punchestown Gold Cup, among others. These high-profile races attract significant attention and participation from the top horses and jockeys in National Hunt racing. The event is supported by William Hill, Ladbrokes, and Paddy Power.
Galway Races
The Galway Races history dates back to its inaugural two-day event in August 1869. It is a renowned Irish horse-racing festival that commences on the last Monday of July each year. This event, unfolding over seven days at Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway, Ireland, is notable for being one of the longest race meets in Ireland. The festival's busiest days are Wednesday, featuring the Galway Plate, and Thursday, which hosts the Galway Hurdle and the much-anticipated Ladies' Day.
The Galway Races are sponsored by Tote and Paddy Power. The turf tracks at Galway are right-handed and tight, just around a mile and a quarter in total length.
Leopardstown Christmas Festival
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival, a highlight of the National Hunt racing calendar in Ireland, takes place annually at the end of December right after Christmas night. This four-day event, featuring seven Grade 1 races, is held at Leopardstown Racecourse, located just six miles south of Dublin city centre. There is a wide, left-handed galloping track with a circumference of 1m 6f.
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival held its Paddy Power Day, featuring the Grade 1 Paddy Power Chase and Grade 2 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle. Races across a variety of categories, including the €200,000 Paddy Power Steeple Chase, saw top-notch horses compete for a total prize pot of more than €482,500.
Tips for Successful Horse Racing Betting
If you're not a frequent visitor to the racecourse, it's not easy to understand horse betting. The nuances of rider psychology are equally important as understanding the condition of the horses and the quality of the tracks in this sport. Wagering on horses requires observation and experience, so heed our recommendations and advice.
- Expert Analysis and Guidance. The first tip is not to refuse tips. Research expert blogs for each specific event, rider and horse. Best horse racing betting sites such as BoyleSports, Betfair, Ladbrokes and William Hill provide their sites to professional bettors and people who have linked their careers to horse racing. Expert opinions can provide valuable insights into a horse'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. Use the way experts think to supplement your own research and judgement.
- Track Conditions. Understanding how different horses perform on various track conditions, like firm, soft, or heavy tracks, can significantly influence your betting decisions. The surface of the path and its trampling sometimes make a huge difference. Some horses may also show a preference for specific tracks, a factor worth considering based on their history.
- Jockey and Trainer Performance. The skills of the jockey and trainer are crucial. Look for jockeys known for their race tactics and trainers with a history of conditioning winning horses. Analysing their past performance can provide valuable insights. Use any information you can, including their interviews.
- Betting Markets and Odds. Gain familiarity with different bet types and understand the odds. Compare odds across bookmakers to find value bets – those with overpriced odds offer better potential returns. Our comparative table above is an example of such a research.
- Budget Management. Set a budget for fun and stick to it. Responsible gambling means not exceeding what you can afford to lose, treating betting as entertainment rather than a financial investment.
- Race Observation. Watching races can improve your understanding and ability to identify potential winners. Note the performance of horses, jockeys, and trainers in various scenarios.
- Emotional Control. Keep a level head, regardless of wins or losses. A successful horse race betting strategy relies on rational decisions, not emotional reactions.
Additionally, all Irish horse racing bettors must adhere to 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 (see the fifth point).
In Conclusion
The competition among online Irish sites for horse racing is fierce, with each striving to outdo traditional racecourses and offline bookies. Our thorough evaluation of online horse racing bookmakers consistently places Bet365, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, William Hill, and BoyleSports at the forefront. These industry leaders offer valuable insights into horse betting and can help guide you towards the right platform for your needs.
Top Irish horse racing betting sites provide detailed information on races and participants, including jockey and trainer names, horse age and weight, race length, and surface conditions. Live streaming is a standard expectation, with many platforms offering coverage of Irish meetings and international events, sometimes even in audio format. They also have intuitive apps that allow you to make quick choices during short runs. And of course respectful attitude to the player from the moment of registration to contacting support in case of any difficulties. That's the criteria we used to select the best in this category.
Figuring out horse racing isn't easy at first glance, but remember, every expert was once a beginner. The key is to start wisely, manage your bets responsibly, and enjoy the journey of learning and participating.
Horse Racing Betting Sites FAQs
Are horse racing betting sites legal in Ireland?
Yes. In Ireland, sports sites are licensed and regulated by the Irish Revenue Commissioners and sometimes by the UK Gambling Commission. A bookmaker's licence can be found at the bottom of their website under the "About the company" tab or in the main menu. Check RC website for the full register.
Which bookmakers offer betting on Totalisator?
Tote, Bet365, Ladbrokes, William Hill, BoyleSports, and other top sites from our list above hold licences to operate a Totalisator at horse race meetings. Some fixed odds bookmakers offer totalisator on specific race pages, some in separate sections.
Can I bet on horse racing from other countries from Ireland?
Yes. You can bet on horse racing around the world at William Hill, Bet365, Paddy Power, QuinnBet, BoyleSports, and many other top sites. They also often provide broadcasts of major competitions in America, Europe and the Middle East.