How to Bet On Horse Racing

Learning how to bet on horse racing involves appreciating several important factors. Punters must understand the different types of bets, how race categories (i.e. National Hunt or flat racing) and classes differ, the optimal way to choose the right horse, and many other considerations. 

Our horse racing betting guide will help beginners get to grips with the process while also benefiting more experienced punters looking to enhance their online betting experience. The breakdown starts with a round-up of some horse racing betting basics, including the main types of bets to take into account as well as some important terminology.

The next stage involves a step-by-step guide explaining crucial details like choosing the right bookmaker, creating an account, and making an initial deposit. Afterwards, we’ll discuss the main things to look for when picking a horse before explaining the importance of comparing horse racing odds and delving into various other helpful tips and tricks. 

Our horse racing betting guide concludes with practical details on how to place your preferred bet and withdraw funds. We’ll also highlight some responsible gambling tips and offer guidance on organisations that can help if you feel your habits are getting out of hand. Keep reading for the lowdown! 

The Basics of Betting on Horse Racing

Punters aren’t short of choice when it comes to placing bets on the horses. Bookmakers offer horse racing betting on daily events worldwide, each with a fantastic array of potential betting markets. 

Due to its long history and traditions, horse racing betting often employs unique terminology and wager types that beginners may find confusing. Check below for a round-up of the most important information to remember:

Different Types of Horse Racing Bets

Predicting which horse wins a race is just scratching the surface of the modern era’s full range of betting possibilities. Some of the main types of bet to understand include: 

• Single: A single bet covers your prediction on which horse wins a particular race.  
• Double: A double bet involves predictions on horse winners for two races. Punters benefit from multiplied odds across both selections, but both must come in for you to receive a payout. 
• Place: A place bet usually covers a horse to finish first or second, although some bookies stretch this out on more popular events or races with a larger field. 
• Each-Way: An each-way bet delivers the security of a single win bet and a place wager. You’ll receive a payout from both if your horse wins or just the place bet if it finishes among the top places. 
• Forecast: A forecast bet requires punters to successfully predict the first and second horses in the correct order. 
• Reverse Forecast: A reverse forecast allows you to choose two horses to finish first or second in any order. 
• Acca: An acca bet involves at least four selections. Punters benefit from multiplied odds delivering larger payouts, although the likelihood of several accurate predictions is much smaller. 
• Exacta: An exacta bet is almost identical to a forecast, only they’re offered by the “tote” rather than a standard bookie. This uses a lottery-style system, where bettors buy a ticket for their predictions and enter into a pari-mutuel pool which share the prize winnings. The same applies to trifecta, and superfecta bets, covering the first three or four finishing horses. 

Key Horse Racing Terminology

Knowing the most common wagers is only one piece of the how to bet on horse racing puzzle. Beginners must also learn some key terminology, as many words and phrases are unique to horse racing betting. Check the guide below for some of the most important: 

• Starting Price: The starting price (often abbreviated to SP) is the official odds right at the beginning of a race, reflecting on the bookies’ final prediction and the overall betting trend. 
• Ante-Post: An ante-post bet is placed days, weeks, or even months before the race day. 
• National Hunt: A National Hunt event is a jump race over at least two miles. 
• Graded Races: If you see a race is Grade I, II or III, this refers to the class of horses as per their official ratings. 
• Handicap: Most races will require some horses to carry weights depending on their rating, age, or gender. 
• Silks: The silks represent the jockey’s colours. These can be found on a racecard and will help you keep track of each horse. 
• Nap: A nap represents the best bet of the day according to tipsters. 
• Stayer: A stayer is a horse renowned for its endurance and stamina over longer distances. 

Before You Bet

Punters must tick a few boxes before they can place a wager at online betting sites. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started: 

1. Choosing an Online Bookmaker  - With so many different operators to choose from nowadays, choosing a new online bookmaker can be a difficult task. To help make your decision, hit the “Free Bets” button in the right-hand corner of the HorseRacing.net website to see our top recommendations and offers. We review bookmakers against strict criteria, paying close attention to betting markets, bonuses, payment methods, general usability, and more. Additionally, a valid licence from the UKGC — the UK Gambling Commission — is critical. 
2. Creating Your Account - Once you’ve chosen a bookmaker, press the “Join” or “Register” button to create an account. You’ll be asked for personal information, including your full name, date of birth, current address, email, and telephone number. After using eIDV to confirm you’re over 18, the bookies will send a verification email or text. Click this to finish the account creation. Bear in mind you’ll also need to submit KYC documentation before making your first deposit.  
3. Making a Deposit - Punters must deposit before placing a bet. Go to your bookmaker’s cashier section and click on the deposit option. You’ll need to choose a payment method before inputting the amount you wish to transfer. Make sure you’ve read all the T&Cs in order to make full use of your welcome bonus — you will have to satisfy minimum bet requirements and some payment methods may be excluded.

Picking Your Horse

Once you’re created your account and made your first deposit, you’re free to pick a horse. The top UK bookies make searching through different events and betting markets extremely simple, just head over to the horse racing betting homepage to assess your options. But how do you know which horse to pick? Let’s look at all the different factors that should be influencing your decision. 

Horse Racing Events and Meetings 

Punters have numerous daily options for horse racing betting. These primarily include UK and Irish races, although leading bookies also have abundant worldwide options from countries like France and the US. Generally speaking, races are divided into National Hunt (jump racing and steeplechases) and flat racing. The most important meetings across the season include: 

• Royal Ascot: The most prestigious UK meet symbolising elegance, sophistication, and tradition. It takes place in June every year at Ascot Racecourse, featuring races like the Gold Cup and Queen Anne Stakes. 
• Cheltenham Festival: A world-famous National Hunt meeting known for its lively atmosphere and races like the Cheltenham Gold Cup. 
• Grand National: Arguably the world’s most iconic steeplechase, run since 1839 at Aintree Racecourse. 
• Epsom Derby: The Epsom Derby is the main event during the UK flat racing season and the most distinguished of the five British Classics. 

Racecards Explained

A racecard is your one-stop shop for all the vital information before a race. Knowing how to read them is a key aspect to learning how to bet on horse racing, as a racecard often gives vital clues on how each horse will perform. 

For example, you will always find a series of numbers that indicate a horse’s previous finishes. Other key pieces of information include its breeder, jockey, sire, age, and the weight its carrying. 

Compare Odds and Prices

Comparing odds and prices is top of our betting guide tips. HorseRacing.net compiles odds from leading bookies to help you find the best prices on your preferred selections. Betting odds differ from platform to platform depending on their predictions and how many stakes have been placed on each scenario. Shopping around for the best price is fundamental to maximising your enjoyment and potential payout. 

Analysing Form and Checking Tips

Analysing a horse’s form is an integral part of horse racing betting, and will certainly help you make the right decisions. Look for a series of numbers with slashes (denoting a year) and dashes (showing a new season) on the racecard. These show the horse’s past positions running from right for most recent and left for oldest. 
But don’t just consult the racecard. Reading expert tips and analysing form via archived races can give an even better indication of how a particular horse will perform. Our HorseRacing.net tips section compiles naps and suggestions from leading platforms as well as our own resident experts. Check this before placing your bets.

Placing Your Bet

Chosen a horse? Next on the betting guide agenda is learning the practical steps involved with placing a bet: 

1. Select a race to make a prediction on from the horse racing betting homepage. 
2. Pick your horse and bet type. This can often involve multiple selections. 
3. Add the wager to your bet slip, choose a stake, and confirm. 

Withdrawing Funds

Withdrawing funds from your betting account is straightforward. Head to the cashier section of your chosen bookies and press on the withdrawals option. In most cases, the operator will automatically use your deposit method, although some payment providers like Paysafecard aren’t very well equipped to facilitate withdrawals, so you may need to choose a different option. 

Choose the amount you wish to withdraw and press confirm. Most industry-leading bookies process payments in less than 24 hours, so if you use a fast payout method like an e-wallet, you could receive your funds within a day. 

Responsible Gambling

Staying responsible while placing stakes on horse racing is vital. Our betting guide wouldn’t be complete without a few golden tips on how to stay safe: 

• Set strict budgets and keep gambling funds in a different place to your day-to-day finances. 
• Never hide your betting activity. Secretive behaviour is often a sign of problem gambling. 
• Consider using responsible gambling organisations to help. These include BeGambleAware.org, GamCare, and Gamblers Anonymous.   

Get Started at a Top Horse Racing Betting Site

We’ve covered everything you need to know during this betting guide explaining how to bet on horse racing. Check the “Free Bets” section of our website to browse the best bookies and offers before getting started!