Discover the best UK horse racing betting sites at HorseRacing.net. Our guide includes reviews of top bookies and useful tips to improve your betting strategy.  

Our Top Horse Racing Betting Sites for February 2025

The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites

Looking for the best places to bet on horse racing? We’ve got you covered with concise and straightforward reviews of the UK’s top horse racing betting sites, giving you a quick overview of key features, promotions, and some of the pros and cons of each. When you’ve found your favourite, delve deeper by exploring various horse racing bet types and valuable tips to enhance your chances of successful wagers — all conveniently located on this page.

Top Horse Racing Betting Sites UK

1. bet365 – Huge variety of betting bonuses – Rating 9.9/10

bet365 caters to horse racing fans with exciting perks like live streaming and Each Way Extra +, which allows you to choose your place terms on select races. The ‘My Horses’ feature, my personal favourite, is great, letting you create a virtual stable with personalised notes and alerts. 

In terms of promotions, bet365 goes beyond its welcome bonus of up to £30 in free bets. Ongoing offers include Best Odds Guaranteed, Bet Boost, and a Price Promise for UK and Irish races shown live on ITV Racing. You’ll also enjoy early prices, payouts on disqualified horses, and customised free bet offers direct to your inbox.

The unbeatable value at bet365 has long since made it one of my go-to sites, and with few drawbacks, it’s a bookie I recommend.

Pros and cons of using bet365

Positives

• Up to £30 in free bets for new customers
• Unique features and exciting promotions
• Extensive racing stats available
• User-friendly app 
• Speedy withdrawals

Negatives

• £25 min deposit with PayPal (most methods £5)

2. BetMGM – Golden Silks A Game Changer – Rating 9.8/10

Fancy checking out one of the best horse racing betting sites? Look no further than BetMGM. This iconic brand landed in the UK in August 2023, bringing with it a generous ‘Bet £10 Get £40’ offer for new customers and a host of slick features to enjoy as a regular punter.

When it comes to promos, odds boosts are the standout perk for racing fans. With the Golden Silks offer, you can opt in each week and then stake up to £20 daily to unlock that day’s boost: a 10% boost Monday to Thursday, 2x 10% boosts on Friday, and 2x 20% boosts on Saturday and Sunday. Another exciting deal is Each-Way Plus, which offers extra places on select races. 

About the only negative I came across was the slightly small selection of deposit methods. I would have liked to use Paysafecard, but options are limited to debit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal. 

Pros and cons of using BetMGM 

Positives

• Fresh new pick for UK bettors
• Generous ‘Bet £10 Get £40’ offer
• Golden Silks promotion offers daily boosts
• User-friendly and stylish website and app

Negatives

• Limited number of payment methods

3. BetUK – Get free horse racing bets weekly – Rating 9.7/10

With its no-nonsense design and abundant benefits, BetUK from LeoVegas Gaming offers a reliable betting platform for punters. Newcomers get off to a great start with the chance to claim £30 in free bets with a first bet of £10 or more. 

BetUK’s sign-up process proved easy, though I would have liked more freedom on how to use the free bets. As it stands, only one is designated for horse racing. Not to worry. A £3 free bet when you bet £15 on horse racing, available twice weekly, coupled with horse racing price boosts and the bookie’s Each-Way Plus feature, makes up for the slight disappointment. 

While I think this bookie would benefit from offering more payment options, overall, the perks keep coming for horse racing fans; worldwide coverage of racing events, free live streaming, and top-rated mobile apps for Android and iOS are just some of the standout features that can’t fail to resonate with horse racing fans.

Pros and cons of using BetUK 

Positives

• £30 in free bets for new customers
• £6 of free horse racing bets available weekly
• Price boosts and extra place offers
• International coverage
• Free horse racing live streams

Negatives

• Limited payment options available

4. Grosvenor – Double the odds on your first bet – Rating 9.6/10

Founded in 1970, Grosvenor, with approximately 50 high street casinos, is a well-established name in the betting scene. Its online arm extends to a sportsbook and extensive horse racing coverage, with a Double The Odds promo for new customers betting up to £10.

The Grosvenor sign-up bonus could be better, but I had no complaints about the offers for repeat customers, which include a weekly bet club offering a £5 free bet when you bet £25, up to £20 cash back if your horse places 2nd to the SP favourite in select races, and extra places. A free daily scratchcard adds to the fun with the chance to win free bets and odds boosts. 

In line with other top bookies like BetMGM and BetUK, Grosvenor uses the Kambi sportsbook, ensuring a reliable platform with live streaming. Users also benefit from a mobile app, though reviews of the Android app aren’t quite as favourable as those for the iOS version. I encountered no issues personally, but it’s something to watch out for.  

Pros and cons of using Grosvenor

Positives

• Double the odds on your first bet
• Good range of promos, including weekly free bet
• Kambi sportsbook offers a reliable experience
• International racing coverage
• Free live streaming of UK and Irish races

Negatives

• Smaller welcome bonus than other sites
• Android app may disappoint

5. Sky Bet – Bet 5p and get £40 of free bets – Rating 9.6/10

Sky Bet comes with the advantage of being a household name to many. However, this bookie is not only well established but also comes loaded with perks for an enhanced betting experience. International coverage, live streaming, and a user-friendly app are all part of the deal.

In terms of offers, the £40 of free bets, paid as 4x £10 credits, sets newcomers up nicely. What stands out to me is the minimal qualifying bet size of just 5p. Sky Bet also has ongoing promos like a weekly bet club, extra place races, and odds boosts. Plus, there are money back as cash deals for placing 2nd or 3rd in select races, and occasionally, full refunds if your pick doesn’t win. 

When it comes to the welcome bonus free bets, you’ll get 30 days to place your wagers. 

Pros and cons of using Sky Bet

Positives

• Well-established brand
• International racing coverage
• Live streaming
• Excellent mobile app
• Wide range of promotions
• 5p qualifying bet (£5 deposit)

Negatives

• Neteller and Skrill excluded from sign-up bonus

6. BoyleSports – Top-rated apps for mobile betting – Rating 9.6/10

With four decades of experience and almost 400 betting shops in the UK and Ireland, BoyleSports is a popular choice among bettors. This bookie’s many perks include top-rated mobile apps for Android and iOS, live streaming, and an exciting mix of horse racing offers. 

Using our link gives you access to a ‘Bet £10 Get £30’ deal at BoyleSports: that’s £20 in free bets and a £10 casino bonus. However, it’s where existing player offers are concerned that this bookie stands out. As a regular here, I know I can count on money back as bonus deals, extra place races, and the chance to boost my odds or insure if one horse loses with Acca Rewards.

BoyleSports offers all the benefits you’d expect from a bookie in the making since 1982; bettors can expect a polished performance from this site. In my opinion, one of its few negatives is the requirement for bettors to wager at least £1 on a race in order to access the live stream. Some UK betting sites have less stringent requirements, and I’d love to see the rules relaxed here. 

Pros and cons of using BoyleSports

Positives

• Long-established bookmaker
• Top-rated mobile betting app
• Great lineup of promotions
• Live streaming available

Negatives

• £1 bet required to watch live races

7. BetGoodwin – Free UK and Irish racing live streams – Rating 9.5/10

With a successful history rooted in telephone betting, Race Goodwin launched its online sportsbook BetGoodwin in 2021. The site retains a strong focus on horse racing, offering worldwide coverage and free live streaming for all UK and Irish Racing.

Honestly, I found BetGoodwin’s sign-up offer more complex than others. Instead of a simple ‘Bet £10 Get £30’ deal or similar, I needed to place at least 3x £10 bets to get a 50% refund on losses up to £25. I was more impressed by the existing customer deals, which include BOG and free bets up to £100 for narrow losses or finishing second to a horse with 50/1 odds or higher.

While there are plenty of other sports to bet on at BetGoodwin, there isn’t much in the way of promos to make sports betting more exciting. Additionally, while the mobile app is user-friendly, I did find the design a bit on the bland side. 

Pros and cons of using BetGoodwin 

Positives

• Exciting new site backed by experienced operator
• Worldwide racing coverage
• Free live streaming
• Various horse racing promotions

Negatives

• Sign-up bonus less straightforward than others
• Bland mobile app design
• Few sports betting offers

8. Unibet – Daily Uniboosts to boost your bets – Rating 9.4/10

One of Britain’s key horse racing partners, Unibet has sponsored races for over a decade. Their expertise translates to a slick website and app with various perks for horse racing fans. New bettors get a money back as bonus offer on their first bet up to £40 and a £10 casino bonus. 

It’s a bit disappointing that a 3x wagering requirement applies to first bet refunds at Unibet, but it’s pretty much all good news for returning customers. Boosted winnings on racing accas, Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish racing, money back specials, extra places, and boosted odds are all in the mix. Plus, you can get a daily Uniboost for bigger odds on any bet you choose. 

Unibet offers the extra perks you’d expect from a top online horse racing betting site. Racing guides, naps and tips, and live streamed races are all available. However, a slight negative for me is the requirement to place a bet for live race viewing. Many bookies have less strict requirements, only needing a funded account or a bet placed within the last 24 hours. 

Pros and cons of using Unibet

Positives

• Up to £40 refund if first bet loses
• International horse racing coverage
• Huge variety of online horse racing betting offers
• Extra perks like betting tips and racing guides

Negatives

• Wagering applies to refund bonus
• Bet required to access live streams

9. CopyBet – Copy ‘Tipsters’ for savvy betting – Rating 9.4/10

Established in 2016, CopyBet has proved popular with bettors. This bookie is best-known for its innovative bet copying service, which allows for automatic betting depending on your chosen ‘Tipster’. At CopyBet, every bettor can become a ‘Tipster’ and earn cash from subscriptions. 

Where promos are concerned, CopyBet’s ‘Bet £10 Get £40’ new customer offer is one of the most generous on the market and certainly worth grabbing. However, after signing up, I found that CopyBet is more geared towards betting on football, especially when it comes to promotions. As an official betting partner of QPR, this probably shouldn’t have been a surprise.

Because horse racing is a new addition at CopyBet, there are pros and cons to consider. On the plus side, you can get Best Odds Guaranteed on select races and tips from new racing ambassador Jonathan Burke. However, it’s just UK and Irish racing here, except for major races like the Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup, and there’s no live streaming. 

Pros and cons of using CopyBet 

Positives

• Generous £40 sign-up bonus
• Innovative automatic bet copying service
• Share tips to earn cash

Negatives

• Promos geared toward football betting
• Limited international racing coverage
• No live streaming

10. Betfair – Sportsbook and Exchange offerings – Rating 9.4/10

With a £50 bonus package available in the form of bet builders, Betfair's new customer offer is not particularly well tailored to the horse racing punter, however their product is one of the best in class. The iconic yellow and black branding makes the interface pop and with the Exchange still head and shoulders above any other offering in that particular space when it comes to odds competitiveness and liquidity, adding a Betfair account to your punting arsenal is a no brainer.

If betting on horse racing just before the off or even in play, Betfair's Exchange is the best place to do it. The Sportsbook is no slouch either, with plenty of big race boosts over the weekend's on some of the favourites hitting the frame or winning at sometimes double the normal odds. They also have an extensive range of specials daily or over the course of either the flat or NH season.

Pros and cons of using Betfair

Positives

• Generous £50 sign-up bonus
• Industry leading exchange offering
• Raft of boosts on racing and other sports
• Easy to navigate interface

Negatives

• Can restrict winning punters
• Often low limits on odds boosts

Joining A Horse Racing Bookie

When you’ve decided on which betting site you’d like to register with, what’s next to do? Let’s go through the steps you’ll need to take.

1. Register and Sign Up

   The first stage of registration includes submitting some basic personal information like your name, date of birth, email address, and address. You will likely need to confirm your email and submit proof of ID by way of passport or driving licence. This is known as KYC, which stands for ‘know your customer’ — all UKGC licensed gambling sites must complete a KYC as part of their licence agreement. It’s used to prevent fraud and other financial crimes.

2. Open Account

   Once you have submitted your information, the gambling site will take a short while — up to 24 hours — to complete its checks. When the email arrives to let you know it’s all done, you’re free to check out the betting odds and the promotions available to you.

3. Deposit and Play

   Add some money to your account by making a deposit. If you are accepting a welcome offer, the chances are you will need to make this transaction via a debit card or Apple Pay. Be sure to get accustomed to the way the site is laid out, read any intro text that may help you understand what’s available, and be sure to read any terms and conditions of free bet bonus use before accepting.

4. Accept Free Bet/New Customer Offer

   Once you’re sure you know what you’re getting into, it’s time to accept your welcome offer. Make note of how long you have to use the free bets — it can vary between a few and 30 days — so you know the time frame you have to play with. Once you’ve accepted the offer, your free bets should be displayed in the ‘my promotions’ section of your account.

What Types Of Horse Racing Betting Markets Are Available?

Various bet types are offered in online horse racing betting, ranging from straightforward win bets to exciting horse racing multiples. Let’s explore popular bets at leading horse racing betting sites:

Single – The simplest horse racing bet is a single bet, also known as a win bet. With singles, you can bet on a horse to either win the race or place. This bet type is most suited to novice or cautious punters.

Each-Way – These bets involve two parts – win and place (typically top 2, 3, or 4, depending on the race). If your horse wins, both parts succeed; if it places, only the place part wins. This is paid at a fraction of the original odds, commonly 1/4 or 1/5. This bet type is most suited to punters looking for safety with a chance for higher returns. An example of an each-way bet would be a £10 each-way (1/5 odds) bet (£20 total stake) at odds of 10/1 would pay out £140 - £20 stake returned and £120 winnings. If the horse placed, the returns would instead be £30, £20 stake and £10 profit due to the win part of the bet being lost and the £10 bet at 2/1 on the horse placing being a winner.

Double – Doubles are placed on two horses running in different races. Both horses must win (or place if each-way) for a double bet to pay out. This bet type is suited to punters with moderate risk tolerance. Backing two horses at evens to win in a double would pay out for a £10 stake at 3/1, so would see £30 of profit returned plus the stake.

Treble – Trebles cover three horses running in different races. All three must win or place for the bet to pay out. This bet type is suited to slightly more adventurous punters, although often trebles are the favourite bet of big stake favourite backers at race meetings like the Cheltenham Festival.

Trixie – Trixies cover three horses in different races. They include four separate wagers: three doubles and one treble. A minimum of two horses must win or place for a return. This bet type is suited for those interested in combinations with potential for higher returns.

Accumulator – Accumulators involve selecting four or more horses in different races. Usually, all selections must win for the bet to succeed. However, some bookies offer acca insurance, which refunds your stake if one horse loses, usually as a free bet. This bet type is for high-risk, high-reward punters.

Yankee – Yankees cover four horses and include 11 total bets: six doubles, four trebles, and one four-fold. At least two horses must win or place for any return. This bet type is for punters who enjoy complex betting with significant potential returns.

Lucky 15 – Lucky 15 features 15 bets on four horses, including four singles, six doubles, four trebles, and one four-fold. At least one horse must win or place for a payout. However, if all selections win, many bookies add a Lucky 15 bonus to returns. This bet type is popular among punters looking for both safety and the excitement of larger accumulators. A lucky 15 bet is a popular bet type for those who want to have interest in four races without placing single bets on each.

Super Yankee – This wager comprises 26 bets on five horses in five races. Covering every possible combination, they include 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five four-folds, and one five-fold. To secure a return, at least two horses must win or place. This bet type is for those who are very comfortable with complexity and potential for big wins.

Heinz – Heinz bets cover six horses in different races, at least two of which must win or place for a return. Taking inspo’ from Heinz 57 Varieties, these bets include 57 bets: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, six five-folds, and one six-fold. Bets don’t need to be placed individually; simply select your six horses and click Heinz on the betslip. This bet type is for the most daring and experienced punters.

Forecast – There are different types of forecast bets. With straight forecasts, you predict the first and second-place finishers in a race in the correct order. On the other hand, reverse forecasts involve two bets that allow you to select the top two finishers in any order. Combination forecasts cover three horses and six possible outcomes. This bet type is for those interested in exact order predictions, suitable for both novice and seasoned punters.

Tricast – Tricasts are similar to forecasts but cover three selections instead of two. With a tricast, you’ll predict a race’s first, second, and third-placed horses in the correct order. This bet type is for punters who are confident in their ability to predict race outcomes in precise detail. A bet on a tricast can be tricky in big field handicaps, however if you have a strong opinion on which side of the draw will be advantageous you can nail massive returns by picking the right horses in a race like the Stewards Cup.

Key Horse Racing Betting Terminology

In horse racing betting, whether you’re a pro or a newbie, knowing the key terms is crucial. From each-way bets to starting prices, this section of our guide breaks down the basics.

Accumulator – Combines selections from different races into one bet and offers higher payouts compared to individual bets; all choices must win for the bet to succeed. Betting on four horses, for instance, requires all four to win for a successful horse racing acca. An example of a horse racing acca bet which would be potentially beneficial comes on the Cheltenham Festival, with a bet on four of the shortest price favourites in Brighterdaysahead (11/10), Jonbon (5/2(, Teahupoo (2/1) and Fact To File (2/1) would pay out over £650 to a £10 stake!

Antepost – Placing bets well before race day, usually at higher odds but with a risk of losing your stake if your horse doesn’t run, is called antepost betting. An example might be betting on the Grand National weeks before the race if you have a strong fancy that you think  will shorten considerably. As the races approach, some sites, but not all, offer ‘No Runner No Bet’ options. Each-way bettors may be put off antepost betting on big field races as they will miss out on the extra place concessions offered on day of the race markets.

Best Odds Guaranteed – Best odds guaranteed ensures you’ll be paid at the higher odds if the starting price for your horse surpasses the odds you initially took. For instance, if you bet on Galopin Des Champs at 3/1 on the day of race market to win the Gold Cup, and the SP is 4/1, you’ll get the better odds. BOG usually kick in between 8am and 11am on the day of the race, depending on your bookmaker of choice. 

Enhanced Odds - Besides offering regular free horse racing bets, top-spec bookmakers also routinely provide odds enhancements on select races and betting markets. These increase the odds by a certain percentage, maximising the potential profit. William Hill is widely regarded as the best horse racing betting site for enhanced odds. The operator has powerful “EPIC Boosts” that can improve profits by over 200%.

Furlong – A unit of measurement in horse racing, equivalent to 1/8th of a mile, or approximately 220 yards. Sprint races like Royal Ascot’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes are typically shorter (e.g., 6 furlongs), while longer races, like the Epsom Derby, might be 1 mile and 4 furlongs or more. 

Going – Describes track conditions on race day, like firm, good, or soft. Some horses excel on specific surfaces, making it an important factor to consider. Tracks may have dual conditions, known as ‘in-places’. For example, “the going is good, good to firm in places”.

Handicap – In handicap races like the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, horses carry different weights based on their ability and past performance. Horses with higher ratings carry heavier weights than lower-rated horses, levelling the playing field between runners. 

Horse Racing Boosts - Horse racing boosts are similar to enhanced odds, but can typically be used on a wider array of potential bets or markets. For example, bookies might offer horse racing bet boosts during popular meets like Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot. Although there are usually restrictions on the minimum odds and bet type (mainly only available on a single bet), you can choose which race you want to apply the bet boost on over the festival.

Hurdle Race – A race in which horses jump over obstacles known as hurdles. Made of brushwood, there’s a minimum of eight hurdles per race. Notable hurdle races include the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree. 

Lay Bet – In a lay bet, you wager against a specific outcome, such as a horse not winning a particular race, essentially taking on the role of the bookmaker. This type of bet is available at online betting exchanges like Betfair and Matchbook. Betting Exchanges are a punter vs punter platform where you set the price you would like to either back or lay a horse at, and someone else may take you up on your bet. It is in essence a throwback to how the art of betting on events began!

Maiden Race – A race for horses yet to win. Held over various distances and under different conditions, entry factors include things like sex or age. In flat and jump racing, winners in one are still eligible for maiden races in the other.

NAP – A tipster’s best tip of the day. Don’t forget to visit our tips page to check out today’s naps and see what resident tipsters like Raceolly recommend. 

Non-Runner – Describes a horse that is scratched (withdrawn) from a race before it starts. If this happens to your selection, horse racing betting sites with a ‘Non Runner No Bet’ offer will refund your stake.

On the Nose – To bet on a horse to win only. In other words, if you bet £10 on a horse on the nose, you’ll only win if that horse finishes first. 

Overround – The total of all the betting odds on the outcome of a single sporting event. Overrounds create a profit margin from the bookie. So, if the overround for a race is 110%, the bookie is theoretically set to make a 10% profit. 

Paddock – An enclosed area where horses are paraded before a race for assessment by bettors. Observing horses in the paddock can help you assess their physical condition and readiness to race. 

Rule 4 – A deduction from winnings if there are non-runners in a race after betting has already begun. The deduction is based on the odds on the withdrawn horse or horses, with shorter odds typically resulting in a higher deduction. 

SP (Starting Price) – The official price of the horse at the start of the race. Taking the SP means accepting what the odds are when the race begins. This can be convenient and profitable, but also risks that bets will be placed with shortened odds. 

Stewards' Enquiry –  A post-race investigation by officials for rule violations, often due to horse interference. Bookmakers may delay payouts due to potential race outcome changes, but some pay ‘first past the post’ and honour any new winners too.

Silks – The colourful and unique jacket and cap worn by jockeys to represent the horse’s owner. Owners often have distinctive silks to make their horses easily identifiable during a race. These silks, adorned with vibrant patterns and colours, add a fun visual element to horse racing.

Tote Bet – Betting into a pool, with the odds and your potential winnings determined by the total amount bet on all selections, not fixed odds. This unique system creates dynamic odds that fluctuate until the race starts, adding an element of anticipation to your bets.