The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
Looking for the best UK horse racing betting sites? Our experts review the top bookies for odds, racing offers, free bets and live streaming - helping you choose the right site for your next bet.
Our Top Horse Racing Betting Sites for December 2025
- Payout Speed
- Payment Options
- Free Bet Club
- Streaming
- BOG
Key Racing Events to Use Your Betting Offers This Week
- The Tingle Creek at Sandown - Irish raider IL ETAIT TEMPS is a warm order to win again at Sandown in this Grade 1 2 mile showpiece over the iconic Railway Fences, but he will have to deal with sturdy challengers from Britain like L'Eau Du Sud and Jonbon.
- The Becher Chase at Aintree - Another contest over some iconic fences, this time the National Fences up at Aintree, the Becher is always a fine spectacle. Expect a big field and each-way places and odds boosts galore.
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.
How We Rate Bookmakers
Our bookmaker ratings are calculated using a weighted scoring system based on the categories that matter most to horse racing bettors. We place extra emphasis on racing odds, market depth and horse racing offers, while also reviewing key areas such as customer service, banking, in-play performance and cash out quality.
The Overall Rating for each bookmaker is a weighted average of these categories, ensuring a consistent and fair comparison across all betting sites featured on this page.
Top Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
1. BOYLE Sports – Top-rated apps for mobile betting – Rating 9.9/10
With four decades of experience and almost 400 betting shops in the UK and Ireland, BOYLE Sports 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 BOYLE Sports: 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. An example of a good offer is that at selected meetings, if your horse finishes second to the SP Favourite, you’ll be given a free bet to the value of your stake, up to £10.
BOYLE Sports 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.
Live Streaming- Though live streaming is available for other sports at BOYLE Sports such as football and table tennis, there isn’t any live streaming currently available for horse racing.
Best Odds Guaranteed- Again, only eligible customers, who have to be based in the UK and Ireland, qualify for Best Odds Guaranteed. For those, the BOG promise applies to all bets placed on UK and Ireland racing, on the win and each-way market, after 08:00 on the day of the race.
Mobile App - BOYLE Sports has apps for both iOS and Android. The iOS app has a slightly disappointing rating of 3.7 which is surprising because it did a good job when we tried it out, while the Android version’s rating is a bit higher at 4.1.
Pros and Cons of Using BOYLE Sports
Positives
- Top-rated mobile betting app
- Great lineup of promotions
- Live streaming available
Negatives
- Can restrict winning punters
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 10 |
| Welcome Offer | 9.8 |
| Customer Service | 9.9 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 10 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 10 |
| Cash Out | 9.8 |
| Banking | 9.8 |
| In Play Betting | 9.9 |
| Overall Rating | 9.9/10 |
#AD 18+ New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply 18+. IRE/NI & UK online customers. Max Free Bet £/10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
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.
One 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.
Live Streaming - It’s available for all UK and Ireland races and from a few other select countries, like South Africa. You just need to be logged in to watch it.
Best Odds Guaranteed - BOG is available at BetMGM for all UK and Ireland races, but only to selected customers. If you’re eligible, it will be marked on your betslip. For those lucky enough to take advantage, it applies to bets placed after 11:00 on the day of the race.
Mobile App - Their mobile app has a rating of 4.2 for Android devices and a slightly higher 4.5 for iOS.
Pros and Cons of Using BetMGM
Positives
- 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
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 10 |
| Welcome Offer | 10 |
| Customer Service | 9.9 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.7 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 9.9 |
| Cash Out | 9.6 |
| Banking | 9.6 |
| In Play Betting | 9.7 |
| Overall Rating | 9.8/10 |
#AD New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.
3. Dabble – Social betting made fun – Rating 9.8/10
Launched in Australia in 2020 and now live in the UK, Dabble has quickly built a loyal following thanks to its social-first approach to betting. Its standout feature is the ability to follow other punters, copy their bets instantly and interact in real time via in-app chat channels. It feels more like a community than a traditional bookmaker, which is exactly what has helped it take off.
In terms of promos, Dabble’s welcome offer is currently the “Get £10 Free Bet, No Deposit Needed" deal for new UK customers. It’s smaller than some competitors, but the fact there is no deposit needed makes it a unique proposition in the space right now.
Horse racing is a key part of Dabble’s UK product, and the coverage is solid. You get full UK and Irish racing every day, along with competitive prices and regular odds boosts linked to trending racing bets. That said, the platform doesn’t yet offer live streaming, and international racing is limited compared to more established bookies.
Live Streaming — Dabble currently does not provide any live streaming, which is a noticeable gap, especially for racing fans. It’s an area where an upgrade would add huge value.
Best Odds Guaranteed — At the moment, Dabble does not offer BOG on daily horse racing, so that’s something to keep in mind if you rely on that concession.
Mobile App — The app is the heart of the whole Dabble experience. The UK version currently holds a 4.1 rating on the iOS App Store and a 4.0 rating on Google Play, which reflects how smooth and well-designed it is. I found deposits, copying bets, browsing trending punts and following creators completely seamless. The social features run smoothly too, making Dabble one of the most enjoyable mobile betting experiences around.
Pros and Cons of Using Dabble
Positives
- Easy to use app
- No deposit free bet upon sign up
- Community feel in the banter section
Negatives
- Limited market availability
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 9.5 |
| Welcome Offer | 10.0 |
| Customer Service | 9.5 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.6 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 9.5 |
| Cash Out | 9.7 |
| Banking | 9.6 |
| In Play Betting | 9.4 |
| Overall Rating | 9.8/10 |
#AD 18+ New customers only. Free bets credited following registration. Must be wagered 1x at min odds of 1/2 (1.5). 7-day expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional terms apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org
4. bet365 – Huge variety of betting bonuses – Rating 9.7/10
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.
Live streaming - All races shown on Racing TV and At the Races are available here in live streaming, plus further ones from the likes of Australia, USA and Dubai. You just need to have a funded account to watch the action.
Best Odds Guaranteed - All UK and Ireland races come with the BOG promise as long as you place the bet after 08:00 on the day of the race. BOG at Bet365 only applies to Win and Each-Way bets but does include Odds Boost bets.
Mobile App - The Bet365 mobile app boasts an excellent rating of 4.8 on iOS and 4.6 on Android.
Pros and Cons of Using bet365
Positives
- Up to £30 in free bets for new customers
- Extensive racing stats available
- User-friendly app
Negatives
- £25 min deposit with PayPal (most methods £5)
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 9.8 |
| Welcome Offer | 9.3 |
| Customer Service | 9.4 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.7 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 9.9 |
| Cash Out | 9.5 |
| Banking | 9.8 |
| In Play Betting | 9.4 |
| Overall Rating | 9.7/10 |
New customers can sign up using bonus code HR365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad 18+
5. BetTom – Simple racing-first betting with clean design – Rating 9.5/10
BetTom is a newer UK bookmaker built around simplicity, fast bet placement and a racing-friendly interface. Unlike older traditional firms that expanded into dozens of niche sports, BetTom keeps the focus tight, with full UK and Irish horse racing every day, a clean layout and quick access to form and odds. It feels noticeably lighter than most bookies, which is part of its appeal.
BetTom’s welcome offer is not as straightforward as simple bet and gets, with a 50% refund up to £25 their offering on day 1 losses.Where BetTom stands out more is in its ongoing racing offers, which include Extra Places on selected meetings and regular price boosts on the biggest cards. It’s not overloaded with promos, but what’s there is genuinely useful if you mainly bet on horses.
Horse racing coverage itself is strong, with full UK and Ireland cards plus selected international meetings. Prices were competitive when we tested them, but it’s worth noting that BetTom currently doesn’t offer live streaming and doesn’t have the same depth of racing specials you’d see at bigger firms. Still, navigation is slick, results load quickly, and bet placement is super fast.
Live Streaming – BetTom does not offer live streaming on any sport at the moment. You can follow live odds and race progress through their interface, but no video feeds are available.
Best Odds Guaranteed – BetTom’s BOG runs daily from 10:00 on all UK and Irish horse racing. It applies to both win and each-way bets placed after the BOG start time. No opt-in needed.
Mobile App – BetTom offers both iOS and Android apps, and they’re stable, fast and straightforward to use. Deposits, withdrawals and bet placement all worked without any issues during testing. Neither version currently has enough user reviews to generate an official App Store or Google Play rating, but performance-wise it’s smooth, minimalistic and easy to navigate.
Pros and Cons of Using Sky Bet
Positives
- International racing coverage
- 5p qualifying bet
- Lots of betting markets available for all UK and Ireland races
Negatives
- Neteller and Skrill excluded from sign-up bonus
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 9.8 |
| Welcome Offer | 9.5 |
| Customer Service | 9.9 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.8 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 9.7 |
| Cash Out | 9.3 |
| Banking | 9.4 |
| In Play Betting | 9.4 |
| Overall Rating | 9.6/10 |
#AD 18+ New customers only (excludes BetTom casino). Get 50% of first-day losses refunded as a free bet up to £/€25, credited within 24 hours. To qualify, place at least 3 bets of £/€10+ on separate events with odds of 2.0 (evens) or higher. First-day losses are all settled stakes minus returns before 23:59. Free bets must be used fully within 7 days; stakes are not returned and free bets are non-withdrawable. Limited to one free bet per person, household, email, IP, phone, payment method, and shared locations. Abuse, fraud, or multiple accounts will lead to disqualification. Full T&Cs apply
6. Sky Bet – Bet 5p and get £40 of free bets – Rating 9.5/10
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.
Live Streaming - It’s available on all UK and Ireland races, plus selected other countries including France, and the USA. It's free to view for sports such as football and snooker, but you need to place a bet for the minimum amount to stream races.
Best Odds Guaranteed - If you qualify for the Sky Bet Club, you can take advantage of BOG for all UK and Ireland racing bets placed after 9am on the day of the race. Customers qualify for the Sky Bet Club by placing £30 worth of bets during the previous week.
Mobile App - The Sky Bet app has one of the highest ratings for both iOS (4.6) and Android (4.5) so an excellent experience can be expected.
Pros and Cons of Using BetTom
Positives
- Exciting new site backed by an experienced operator
- Various horse racing promotions
- Intuitive platform and well-designed site
Negatives
- Sign-up bonus less straightforward than others
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 9.5 |
| Welcome Offer | 9.1 |
| Customer Service | 9.8 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.9 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 9.5 |
| Cash Out | 9.2 |
| Banking | 9.6 |
| In Play Betting | 9.4 |
| Overall Rating | 9.5/10 |
#AD 18+ New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets for Horse Racing only. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
7. Paddy Power – Generous offers & top-tier racing features – Rating 9.5/10
Paddy Power is one of the most recognisable betting brands in the UK and Ireland, and its reputation for sharp odds, fast payouts and entertaining promotions is well earned. The platform is built with racing fans in mind, offering broad international coverage, live streaming and one of the most polished betting apps on the market.
New customers can claim Paddy Power’s welcome offer of Bet £10 Get £50 in free bet bet builders, paid as 5 x £10 tokens. It’s one of the stronger sign-up deals available, and qualifying is simple: place a £10 sportsbook bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Beyond that, Paddy Power really shines with ongoing racing promos, including extra places, power prices, daily boosts and frequent money-back specials. Their well-known “2nd, 3rd or 4th” refunds regularly show up on the biggest meetings.
You’ll have 30 days to use your free bet credits after they’re issued, giving plenty of time to find value opportunities.
Live Streaming – Paddy Power offers free streaming on all UK and Irish racing, plus coverage from the USA, Australia and France. As usual, you’ll need to place the minimum qualifying bet to access race streams, but other sports like football, tennis and snooker can often be viewed without placing a wager.
Best Odds Guaranteed – BOG is available daily on all UK and Ireland horse racing for bets placed after 8am. It applies to both win and each-way bets. Some account restrictions can apply, but for most customers it activates automatically.
Mobile App – The Paddy Power app is consistently rated among the best in the industry, scoring 4.7 on iOS and 4.5 on Android. It’s fast, reliable and packed with features, including quick deposit options, personalised promos and seamless access to live streams. A genuinely top-class mobile betting experience.
Pros and Cons of Using Paddy Power
Positives
- Up to £40 refund if first bet loses
- Extremely generous Welcome Offer
- International horse racing coverage from more obscure countries
Negatives
- Best odds guaranteed is quickly limited for winning punters
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 9.6 |
| Welcome Offer | 9.2 |
| Customer Service | 9.3 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.5 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 9.4 |
| Cash Out | 9.5 |
| Banking | 9.1 |
| In Play Betting | 9.4 |
| Overall Rating | 9.5/10 |
#AD 18+ New Customer Offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifiying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via cards & Apple Pay will qualifiy. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
8. SBK – Sharp prices powered by exchange-style odds – Rating 9.4/10
SBK is the sportsbook arm of Smarkets, and it brings the company’s well-known exchange value directly into a slick, modern betting app. Instead of relying solely on a traditional sportsbook model, SBK’s prices are driven by market forces, giving punters consistently tight margins and some of the best value odds available across horse racing and major sports.
SBK’s welcome offer for new customers is a bet £10, get £50 in free bets promotion. Simply deposit and place a £10 bet and once it settles - win or lose - SBK will credit you with a whopping £50 in free bets. Ongoing promos are lighter than at traditional bookies, but SBK focuses more on providing strong everyday odds rather than bonuses.
Horse racing coverage includes daily UK and Irish meetings along with selected international tracks. Prices are SBK’s strong point, often beating major fixed-odds bookmakers on big races, though you won’t find the same volume of boosts, specials or novelty markets. It’s very much a value-first product.
Live Streaming – SBK does not currently offer live streaming on horse racing or other sports. Race-by-race data and price movement tools are available instead.
Best Odds Guaranteed – Unlike many traditional bookies, SBK does not offer BOG. The focus remains on sharp, competitive prices rather than concessions.
Mobile App – SBK is heavily app-focused, with both iOS (4.7 rating) and Android (4.3 rating) versions highly regarded for speed, layout and ease of use. The interface is clean, modern and ideal for quick bet placement, with excellent odds comparison charts built directly into the app.
Pros and Cons of Using SBK
Positives
- £50 sign-up bonus is excellent
- Sleak, fast app
- Often offer racing boosts of 20-30% on big races
Negatives
- App only
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 9.5 |
| Welcome Offer | 9.2 |
| Customer Service | 9.3 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.6 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 9.5 |
| Cash Out | 9.4 |
| Banking | 9.3 |
| In Play Betting | 9.4 |
| Overall Rating | 9.4/10 |
#AD 18+ New UK customers only. Minimum first deposit of £10. Place a £10 bet at minimum odds of 2.0 to receive £40 in Free Bets within 48 hours. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org.
9. Matchbook – Low-commission exchange betting – Rating 9.3/10
Matchbook is one of the UK’s leading betting exchanges, offering punters the chance to back or lay selections at prices set by other users rather than a traditional bookmaker margin. This usually leads to tighter spreads, better value on popular racing markets and more control over your betting strategy. It’s a platform built for bettors who like to shop for price and take advantage of liquidity.
Matchbook’s welcome offer is currently “£30 Money-Back as a Free Bet” for new customers. You simply place a £10 bet on the exchange, and if your first wager loses, you’ll get a refund as a free bet up to £30. It’s uncomplicated, and because it’s an exchange, you can choose to back or lay for your qualifying bet. Ongoing promotions are modest, but Matchbook often runs reduced commission deals around major racing festivals, which can make a noticeable difference to long-term value.
Horse racing is a major focus at Matchbook, with markets available on all UK and Irish meetings as well as international racing. Liquidity has improved a lot in recent years, especially around big Saturday cards and festival weeks. However, racing markets can still be quieter than the very biggest exchanges during off-peak times.
Live Streaming – Matchbook does not offer live streaming on horse racing. You’ll need to track races through third-party feeds or race data tools.
Best Odds Guaranteed – As an exchange, Matchbook does not offer Best Odds Guaranteed. Instead, the value comes from market-driven odds and low commission.
Mobile App – Matchbook provides both iOS and Android apps, each with solid performance and intuitive navigation. The iOS app holds a strong 4.7 rating, while Android sits around 3.7, mainly due to earlier versions. In testing, placing back and lay bets, adjusting stakes and navigating markets was smooth and reliable.
Pros and Cons of Using Matchbook
Positives
- Good offers for new customers
- Price boosts and extra place offers
- International coverage
Negatives
- Exchange only
- Low liquidity on smaller events
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 9.7 |
| Welcome Offer | 9.6 |
| Customer Service | 9.7 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.5 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 10 |
| Cash Out | 9.8 |
| Banking | 9.4 |
| In Play Betting | 9.0 |
| Overall Rating | 9.4/10 |
#AD 18+ New Customers Only. Sign up to Matchbook with bonus code: GET100. Bet and Settle 5 x £10 Bets on 5 different Horse Racing markets at odds of 2.0 or more. Qualified users will get 5x£10 Free bets within 48 hours of qualifying. Qualified users will receive any commission paid between Registration and December 22nd 2025 23:59GMT as free bet tokens. E.g. if a user pays £35.83 in commission they will receive 3 x £10 free Bets, 1 x £5.83 Free Bet. Full T&Cs Apply. Be Gamble Aware.
10. Betfair – Sportsbook and Exchange offerings – Rating 9.2/10
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.
Live Streaming - Betfair offers quality live streaming of almost all the racing events it lays odds on, including from the likes of France and South Africa. The streaming is available via both the Sportsbook and the Exchange. You just need to have an account in order to watch it.
Best Odds Guaranteed - BOG is available at Betfair on all UK and Irish racing, on singles only, and only on bets placed after 08:00 on the day of the race. All extra winnings are free of wagering requirements.
Mobile App - The nice thing about their mobile app is that it can be used for both the Sportsbook and the Exchange, so you only need to download it once. It’s one of the better ones out there, with a score of 4.3 for Android, and 4.2 for iOS.
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
- Shift between using the Exchange and Sportsbook for an all-round experience
- Odds on the Exchange are often the best available across the market
- Lay horses as well as back them on the Exchange
Negatives
- Can restrict winning punters
- Often low limits on odds boosts
- Sportbook odds can be lower than their competitors
| Rating Categories | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Horse Racing Odds | 9.5 |
| Welcome Offer | 9.0 |
| Customer Service | 9.0 |
| Horse Racing Offers | 9.2 |
| Horse Racing Market Selections | 9.5 |
| Cash Out | 9.7 |
| Banking | 9.4 |
| In Play Betting | 9.4 |
| Overall Rating | 9.2/10 |
#AD 18+ Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Types of Betting Offers at Horse Betting Sites
There are a myriad of betting offers available at horse racing betting sites, with both new and existing customers well catered for. Below we have listed a few of the most popular betting offers:
-
Bet X Get X - This is the most common new customer horse racing betting offer, with customers incentivised to sign up with the prospect of a free bet balance (usually much larger than their original bet) when signing up and placing a qualifying bet. Be sure to watch out for minimum odds and wagering requirements if you are availing of this style of offer.
-
Money Back As A Free Bet If Your Horse Places / Loses - An offer which is often made available to both new and existing customers, this is a fantastic promotion for those who know they will be placing a bet on that certain race anyway as it gives them a level of insurance. Bookmakers like Sky Bet, Unibet, VirginBet and LiveScoreBet will regularly run these promotions on big race days, often on the first televised race of the day.
-
% Of losses back as a free bet - Another offer which is more synonymous with new customers is this promotion where a betting site will offer customers a % of their losses back as a free bet on all losses on the day they sign up. If you are off to the races and plan on placing multiple bets that day, this sort of offer means you basically get to double your intended stakes, which is a nice comfort blanket and could prove brilliant if you have some winners. Be sure to check what the maximum rebate can be.
Horse Racing Betting Offer Terms And Conditions
All horse racing betting offers have certain terms and conditions punters must satisfy before claiming the bonus or being granted the offer. Here are the main clauses to consider.
Eligibility
Bettors must be 18+ to qualify for free horse racing bets, but this isn’t the only factor to remember regarding eligibility. Most bookmaker offers also require a qualifying bet, generally at 1/2 or 1/1 odds and over. In other cases, you’ll need to make a qualifying deposit in the region of £10.
Additionally, you must read the terms and conditions to verify whether your preferred deposit method is eligible. Debit card payments are usually the only permitted option for these promos, so be careful.
For some reason, Skrill and Neteller deposits are the ones most likely to see you excluded from being able to claim welcome offers.
Time limits
All horse racing free bets come with a time limit as it’s not practical for a bookie to allow free bets to be sitting in a customer’s account forever.
Checking for this in the T&Cs is extremely important or you could miss out on the free bet tokens.
Expiration dates vary, but it’s usually somewhere between 7 and 14 days after your qualifying wager has been settled and your free bet has been awarded.
As an example, the £10 horse racing free bet making up part of Bet MGM’s welcome offer needs to be used within 7 days of being awarded to the customer, but when you claim your £40 in free bets at SkyBet, you have a much longer 30 days to use them, before they expire.
Bookmaker offers clearly state this in the terms, so you shouldn’t have much trouble getting to grips with it.
Free Bet Stake Not Included
Bear in mind that the free bet stake won’t be included in any potential winnings. This is important to note when calculating your prospective profit from a free bet. You won’t find any bookmaker offers where the free bet stake is included in the payout, as it would put the operator out of pocket.
So if you take up BOYLE Sports’ Welcome Offer that gives you a £30 free bet and you put it on Big Spender at odds of 3.0 (2/1) and it wins, you’d win £30 x 2 = £60. But that’s as much as you’re going to get because the initial £30 making up the free bet, isn’t returned.
Bet Restrictions
Horse racing free bets often come with certain restrictions.
As an example, the £10 racing free bet making up part of the Sign-Up offer at BetUk states that it needs to be placed on a single or multiple, at odds of 1.8 or greater and that bets that are void, Cashed Out or Partially Cashed Out do not qualify for the promotion.
Free bets can sometimes also be restricted to a certain sport or an event within that sport. Lots of the best horse racing betting sites give away free bets during the Cheltenham Festival but with the proviso that the free bets need to be used during the Festival, or even on a particular race at the Festival.
Maximum Winnings
Some free horse racing bets also come with a winnings cap. As a result, you can only win up to a certain amount from the promotion. This is also common with odds enhancements and bet boosts, where the bookie will limit the overall profit increase to a certain amount. The amount will vary from one bookie to another but it’s generally between about £200 and £500 for free bets. These aren’t unreasonably low amounts because, after all, the winnings were secured from a free bet in the first place.
Reading through the terms and conditions to spot this clause is essential. Otherwise, you might be left with less profit than expected. The other point is that it doesn’t make any sense for you to put your £30 free bet on a 10/1 chance (winnings £300) if the most you can win from it is £200. You’re better off looking for a 6/1 chance. So in this sense, knowing the maximum limits also affects how you use your free bet.
Wagering Requirements
Limiting the maximum amount that a customer can win from a free bet or other bonus isn’t the only way that horse racing sites protect themselves from incurring big losses and possibly even going out of business. Another way is to impose wagering requirements on winnings from the bonus.
Wagering requirements on bonus winnings mean that if your bonus leads to a win, you can’t just withdraw the money straight away. Instead, you need to wager through the bonus’ winnings a certain number of times first.
Let’s say you won £20 from your free bet at a particular horse racing bookmakers and the wagering requirements were 1x. That means you have to place £20 worth of bets before you can withdraw that £20. If it was 2x, you’d have to place £40 worth of bets before a withdrawal is allowed.
In most cases, there aren’t any wagering requirements at all on winnings from free bets, especially when it comes to those given to you as part of a welcome offer but in some cases, they’re 1x or 2x. But rarely more than that.
How We Rate Horse Racing Betting Sites
We here at horseracing.net are extremely serious, thorough and meticulous regarding how we decide on the best horse racing betting sites UK.
As part of our methodology, we begin by considering general factors that are relevant to all betting. Such as: the license the bookmaker holds, the quality of their Customer Service, the generosity of their Welcome Offer, the design and functionality of the website and app, and the number of payment options available.
But we then take things to the next level by looking solely at factors that are unique to horse racing. These include: whether live streaming of races is available, the average odds on racing markets, racing-specific promos, the number of markets available for any given race and how many countries racing betting is available from.
How Horse Racing Betting Odds Are Calculated
Understanding horse racing betting odds is key for making smart betting decisions and calculating potential wins. Odds reveal the chance of a specific outcome, like a horse winning a race, and are typically shown as fractions or decimals.
- Fractional Odds – In fractional odds, the first number is what you can win, and the second is your bet. If you bet £10 on a horse with odds of 3/1 and it wins, your profit is £30 (3 times your stake), plus your initial £10, for a total payout of £40.
- Decimal Odds – With decimal odds, the number represents the total payout, including your bet. Using the same horse with 3/1 odds, it’s shown as 4.00. A £10 bet pays out £40 (4 times your stake), covering your initial £10.
Switching between fractional and decimal odds is usually easy on betting sites, often in account settings or on the homepage. Some sites also offer other formats like American Odds.
Implied Probability Calculation
Odds in both fractional and decimal layout relate to implied probability. An example is both 3/1 fractional odds and 4.0 decimal odds relate to an implied probability of 25%, calculated as 1/(3+1) for fractional and 1/4.0 for decimal odds.
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.
Horse Racing Betting Sites Key Features To Look For
The best horse racing betting sites are packed with perks. From diverse markets to user-friendly mobile apps, we break down the key elements of top horse racing betting sites below:
- Variety of Horse Racing Betting Markets – The best online horse racing betting sites offer a wide range of markets on races taking place around the world. This allows you to explore various betting options, ranging from simple win and place singles to exotic bets.
- Horse Racing Competitive Odds – Leading horse racing sites consistently provide competitive and fair odds to ensure you get the best value for your bets. Best Odds Guaranteed promotions often come as standard at top bookies.
- User-Friendly Interface – Top online horse racing betting sites provide intuitive and easy to navigate websites and mobile apps, making finding and placing your bets straightforward.
- Live Betting and Streaming – The best horse racing sites have live betting and streaming capabilities, allowing you to watch and bet on races as they unfold. Some of our favourite bookies provide free live streams, with no requirement to place a bet.
- Mobile Compatibility and Mobile App – Top horse racing betting sites offer a mobile-friendly website, and, often, a dedicated mobile app as well, allowing you to bet on a wide variety of horse racing events on the go.
- Secure and Diverse Payment Options – Reliable betting sites offer a variety of secure deposit and withdrawal methods, including debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill.
- Customer Support – Great customer support is a hallmark of a top horse racing betting site. The best sites offer a mix of live chat, email, and phone support, often 24/7. Some bookies also engage with users on social media channels like Facebook and X (Twitter).
- Bonuses and Promotions – The best horse racing betting sites offer punters consistent extra value with enticing welcome bonuses, regular free bets, and ongoing promotions tailored to horse racing fans.
- Responsible Gambling Features – Trustworthy betting sites offer tools like deposit limits, reality checks, self-exclusion, and access to support resources, helping you to bet safely and responsibly.
- Licensing and Regulation – Legal betting sites are the only way to go. Here at HorseRacing.net, we exclusively recommend horse racing betting sites that have a UKGC license and adhere to regulations to ensure fair operations.
- In-Depth Statistics and Analysis – Top online horse racing betting sites offer detailed horse racing statistics and expert analysis to help you make smarter betting decisions. Many have top jockeys as brand ambassadors, adding to the fun.
- Bet Customisation – Our preferred racing bookies offer exciting perks like horse racing accas and bet builders, along with other types of customised betting options, such as choosing your own place terms. This lets you tailor horse bets to your preferences.
- Fast Payouts – Fast payouts are a common feature at the best online horse racing betting sites, ensuring you can get your hands on your winnings from your successful bets quickly and efficiently.
- Reputation and Reviews – The best online betting sites boast a strong reputation and positive user reviews within the betting community. The expert horse racing betting site reviews at HorseRacing.net take user feedback into account, giving you the full picture.
- Live Race Updates – Top horse racing bookies keep you in the loop with real-time updates on horse racing events, which is particularly useful for live betting and when betting on mobile.
Strategies and Tips for Horse Racing Betting Punters
Betting on horses successfully requires a blend of knowledge, analysis, intuition, and luck. If you’re just getting started, we’ve got some strategies and tips to help things run smoothly:
- Choose The Right Bookie – Finding the right bookie is part of the fun. Explore our reviews and recommendations for the top UK horse racing betting sites to find one with the features and markets you want. Best odds guaranteed is still one of the most sought after promotions with horse racing punters and if possible I will always bet with one offering BOG, even if the price is slightly shorter with that firm than a non BOG competitor.
- Understand Different Types of Races – Familiarise yourself with the various types of horse races in the UK, including flat racing, jump racing (hurdles and chases), and all-weather racing. Each has its own dynamics and requires a different approach. I find that trainer form is crucial in all spheres of racing but on the flat, pace and draw analysis is vital while over jumps I love to back a horse I know will be positively ridden in handicap chases. On the all-weather, watch out for horses who have proven form on the surface rather than on the turf.
- Analyse Form and Stats – Analyse the form of horses by reviewing their performance in recent races. Use stats such as course and distance winners and hot jockeys to make informed bets. Lots of top bookies have this information readily available and of course there is a plethora of information right here at HorseRacing.Net! It is important to contextualise your form study and I make sure to give heavier weighting to the most recent pieces of form in comparison to something a horse did many seasons ago.
- Investigate Draw Bias – Some tracks may have a draw bias, meaning that certain starting positions offer an advantage. Researching whether a particular track has a draw bias, along with which stall your horse has been assigned to, can offer valuable insights. Chester is the track most synonymous with a draw bias, and if you are betting there you will be massively more confident in your horse if they are drawn low rather than high. Be mindful, however, that the odds compilers will have factored this into their pricing.
- Consider A Horse's Breeding – The bloodstock world is a fascinating strand of the all encompassing ecosystem of horse racing, and finding an edge in a horse's breeding can give you a massive advantage. Particularly with newer sires be on the lookout for those who seem to be throwing up the same type of horse consistently that may not be obvious to others. I love finding a sire who perhaps himself was all about speed, but seems to be giving his sons and daughters more stamina or a liking for soft ground. This can be a huge edge.
- Focus On The Ground - Perhaps more than any other sport, the weather and underfoot conditions can play a crucial role in horse racing. Some horses are known mudlarks, while some like the ground to be like a road and rattling fast. Be particularly cautious when betting a horse antepost that you know will need the ground to come a certain way for them to perform at their best or even to run. I have been stung by this on multiple occassions, notably recently with Banbridge who hates soft yet I still backed for Cheltenham months in advance - he was withdrawn on the morning of the race.
- Assess Trainer-Jockey Performance – Jockeys and trainers often run hot or cold, and when you see a team flying it can make sense to simply back them blind. Venetia Williams is known to revel when the weather turns in November or December each season, so backing her horses and Charlie Deutsch's rides at that time of the season is usually a good strategy.
- Explore Jockey-Horse Dynamics – Some horses become synonymous with their rider. Think Barry Geraghty and Sprinter Sacre or Ruby Walsh and Kauto Star. If you know a horse performs well with a certain rider in the plate but not as well with others, be sure to keep an eye out for when the jockey bookings are released.
- Account for Horse Age and Experience – While individual performances vary, stats indicate that younger horses peak in flat racing around age 3 to 4. Meanwhile, jump racing legends tend to be seasoned horses that have acquired their skills over time. Different horses will of course have their primes at different stages of their career, but digging a little deeper and finding some trends of your own could be a huge advantage.
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.
The Biggest Horse Racing Events To Bet On
Betting on horse racing events is always exciting, but the biggest events of the year offer something truly special. Not only are these events the most prestigious in the horse racing calendar, but they also come with an exciting line-up of betting promotions in the run up. .
The Grand National
Known as the ultimate test of both horse and rider, the Grand National takes place annually at Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse in April. This legendary steeplechase is a race like no other, with 30 challenging fences to be jumped over a distance of 4 miles and 2 ½ furlongs. With a long and storied history, the Grand National has seen many famous horses, jockeys, and trainers take part over the years. It's a true test of skill, stamina, and courage, and with its unpredictability and exciting finishes, it's nothing short of thrilling.
Royal Ascot
Featuring some of the most prestigious races of the year, such as the Gold Cup and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Royal Ascot is a five-day racing event held annually at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. The June event is not only known for its high-profile status and popularity among socialites, but it is also a major betting event. Bookmakers offer various Royal Ascot promotions and specials, making it an excellent opportunity to enhance your online betting experience while enjoying the excitement of world-class horse racing.
Cheltenham Festival
Widely regarded as the most important meeting in the National Hunt calendar, the Cheltenham Festival is a four-day event that takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire. The festival features several Grade 1 races, including the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Cheltenham Gold Cup. With so much attention focused on the festival, it's also filled with betting options, with bookmakers offering a wide range of horse racing offers to help you max out your enjoyment of the event.
Epsom Derby
Known as the "Blue Riband" of the turf, the Epsom Derby is the UK's premier flat horse race. Held annually at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey in June, this historic classic features some of the best three-year-old horses from around the globe. With a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 6 yards, the Epsom Derby has a rich history dating back to the late 18th century and has seen many legendary horses and jockeys compete over the years. With its thrilling atmosphere and unpredictable finishes, this is one race you won’t want to miss.
Melbourne Cup
Held at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, the Melbourne Cup dates back to 1861. The race length was shortened when Australia adopted the metric system in 1972 and is now run over 3,200 metres, just under two miles. It’s a handicap race that takes place in November each year and has a prize pot over $8,000,000.
Practical Tips for Maintaining Control in Online Betting
While the thrill of the track can be exciting, it’s important to approach horse racing betting responsibly. Below, you can find some practical tips designed to help you stay in control:
- Set a Budget – Establish a clear and realistic budget for your horse racing betting activities. Only use disposable income that won’t impact your essential expenses.
- Define Limits – Set both win and loss limits before betting on horse racing. Knowing when to stop, whether you’re winning or losing, helps maintain control.
- Use Safe Gambling Tools – Take advantage of features provided by horse racing sites, such as deposit limits and time-outs, to manage and control gambling activity.
- Do Your Research – Stay informed about odds, statistics, and racing conditions. Well-informed punters are better equipped to make responsible betting decisions.
- Take Breaks – Schedule regular breaks during betting sessions. This helps prevent rash decisions and keeps your mind fresh to analyse racing betting options.
Horse Racing Betting Sites FAQs
Are horse racing betting offers safe?
Horse racing offers from reputable and licensed bookmakers are generally very safe. However, it's important to read the T&Cs carefully and only bet what you can afford to lose.
Can I use a credit card for horse racing betting offers?
No. The use of credit cards for gambling is banned in the UK, but there are many safe payment options to choose from at top bookies like Coral, BetUK, and others.
Can I get free bets to use on horse racing?
Yes. Bookies offer a wide range of free horse racing bets, either through sign-up offers, ongoing promos, or special event bonuses.
Can I use a betting offer and get best odds guaranteed on horse racing?
It depends. Most bookies won’t offer Best Odds Guaranteed on free bets. However, some sites like bet365 allow odds boosts on BOG stakes.
Are betting offers available for the Cheltenham Festival?
Yes. Most high-profile bookmakers offer horse racing offers in the lead up to the Cheltenham Festival.
Are betting offers available for the Grand National?
Yes. There are usually plenty of Grand National betting offers available in the lead-up and during the event. Keep an eye out for things like free bets, bet refunds, and matched deposits, as well as promotions like Best Odds Guaranteed, Extra Places Paid, Acca Insurance, and a whole lot more.
Not sure where to start? We have an excellent selection of horse racing betting offers handpicked by our experts — head over to our Grand National betting page to find out more.
Do I need to create an account to claim a horse racing free bet?
Yes. You can only claim and use free bets if you’re signed up to the relevant bookmaker. You will also usually be required to make a minimum deposit or bet with that bookie in order to receive the free bet.
Can I have multiple bookmaker accounts to get more free bets?
You can have accounts at different bookies offering separate free bets, but you are only allowed to receive one free bet offer per bookie. If you try to open multiple accounts with the same betting site in order to claim the same free bet offer several times, your account will likely be shut down.
Can I use my free bets on horse racing accumulators?
Most free bet offers cannot be used on horse racing accumulators, although some operators like BetUK and Betway include bet builders and accas in their promotions.
What is the best betting site for horse racing free bets?
BOYLE Sports and BetMGM typically lead the way for horse racing free bets. These brands offer regular racing-specific promos, extra place races, and consistent free bet rewards throughout major festivals. BOYLE Sports in particular is known for simple, low-qualifying offers and ongoing weekly value.
Which horse racing betting site has the best welcome offer?
SBK currently have one of the strongest offers with a bet £10 get £50 carrot dangled, but these are ever changing. The best choice depends on what you prefer - simplicity, higher value, or flexibility in how the free bets are used.