The UK’s Best Horse Racing Betting Sites for 2024
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| Horse Racing Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Horse Racing Daily Races | Horse Racing Betting Types | Horse Racing Payout | Horse Racing Bookmaker Rating | Secure Link | Significant Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 888sport | £30 Plus £10 for Casino |
4.80 ★ out of 5
|
www.888sport.com | Minimum deposit of £10 using deposit code 30F - A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 placed on any sports market - Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) - Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days - Free bet stakes not included in returns - Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Wagering req. vary by game • Deposit methods, Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&C’s apply. | |||
| 2. Coral | £20 In Free Bets |
4.80 ★ out of 5
|
www.coral.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+ New Gamblers Only. Minimum Stake £10, minimum odds 2.0, stake not returned. | |||
| 3. bet365 | £50 In Free Bets |
4.80 ★ out of 5
|
www.bet365.com | Full T&Cs apply. New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £50* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you five times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. | |||
| 4. Ladbrokes | £20 In Free Bets |
4.70 ★ out of 5
|
www.ladbrokes.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. UK&IRE only. Real money win or E/W single bets on UK & Irish horse racing only. Bet type restrictions apply. Offer cap £/€50k per customer per day. Bets placed after the off don’t qualify. If Rule 4 applies we pay the best odds after Rule 4 deductions. No cash out. |
We have listed the true champions of horse racing betting, they define what it means to make a successful bookie. In the following paragraphs, we will detail how we came to this decision and the criteria for choosing them.
The Top Horse Racing Betting Sites in the UK and Their Assets
Every single one of the horse racing betting sites provides unique strengths and brings something extra to the table. Below, we have listed why each one stands out to us. As you can see, they all provide something you can really utilise to your advantage.
- 888sport (Top races from around the world each day)
- Coral (Exotic bets available to place and use)
- bet365 (Wonderful selection of antepost markets)
- Ladbrokes (Daily live streams for you to enjoy each race)
How to Choose the Best Horse Racing Bookmaker
When it comes to analysing horse racing betting sites there are a number of factors that come into play. We have already analysed the best betting sites UK in general. Here we look at specific odds, races, mobile, offers and promotions and more in detail to give a complete overview.
There are plenty of categories that horse racing bookies need to excel in. We recommend reading the whole page through, but also you can skip through to the section by clicking above on you preferred topic. Now, we will look at odds levels.
The Odd Levels of Horse Racing Sites
When it comes to online horse racing betting sites, it is integral that they offer competitive odds. In essence, the higher the odds offered, the larger payout you will receive. This is an important factor for punters who are trying to maximise profit.
In the table below, we have compiled all the best odds horse racing has to offer. This was based on average calculations made by our experts on multiple different races taken place throughout the year. These can change, so they are not absolute, instead more of an average.
| Horse Racing Betting Site | Grand National | Cheltenham | Epsom Derby | Royal Ascot | Kentucky Derby | Melbourne Cup | Arc de Triomphe | Secure link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 888sport | 94.02% | 93.78% | 94.11% | 92.89% | 93.11% | 92.66% | 94.00% | Visit Site! |
| Coral | 93.78% | 93.77% | 93.66% | 92.99% | 93.02% | 93.98% | 93.40% | Visit Site! |
| Bet365 | 92.87% | 93.32% | 94.02% | 93.12% | 93.02% | 92.99% | 92.78% | Visit Site! |
| Ladbrokes | 92.56% | 93.11% | 93.56% | 94.01% | 92.88% | 92.33% | 93.00% | Visit Site! |
As you can see, most of the best horse racing betting sites have very similar odds levels. This is no mistake, in this day and age, things are very competitive at the top, as a result there is not much discrepancy. This is only a good thing for punters, as you will have fewer chances of being ripped off!
Even so, a quick check of odds before you place a bet will do no harm. However, if you are betting smaller numbers, slight percentage differences won’t really affect your payout. It’s only those that are betting tens of thousands that really need to be concerned.
Top Races for Online Horse Racing Betting
Every punter wants to know what the top races are for when you play on horse racing betting sites. Our team has collated all the biggest races of the year and put them into the table below. Here, you can see just what you expect to find when you log on.
| Race | Payout% | Betting Types | In-Play | Live Streaming | Bet At |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham | 94.02% | 6+ | no | yes | Bet365 |
| Epsom Derby | 93.76% | 6+ | no | yes | 888sport |
| Royal Ascot | 93.67% | 6+ | no | yes | Ladbrokes |
| Kentucky Derby | 94.01% | 6+ | no | yes | Coral |
| Melbourne Cup | 93.54% | 6+ | no | yes | Ladbrokes |
As you can see, when it comes to horse racing there aren’t as many types of bet as if you were football betting. Don’t let this deter you however, all of the races are usually live streamed, and this can really add to your experience and enjoyment of your punts.
Horse Racing Betting Types Available
Betting on horse racing is usually split into to categories: straight bets, and exotic bets. Even so, compared to Esports, there aren’t that many bets to choose from here. The quickest fix to that is to bet on Esports or even rugby instead. Below, we will list the most popular ones with a short explanation as to what they mean.
1. The Win Bet
The win bet is the easiest of all of the horse racing bets. All you have to do is correctly predict the winner of the race overall. Still, that can be difficult sometimes!
2. The Place Bet
The place bet is even easier to get correct! Here your horse needs to finish in a placed finish (first or second), if it does, you win. Obviously, the odds are lower than an outright win.
3. The Each-Way Bet
The each-way bet is an amalgamation of both of the aforementioned bets and is the most popular one in horse racing circles. You bet on both a win and a place finish, with placed finishes sometimes being offered up to fifth place! Your liability is doubled, however, as you are playing two bets.
4. The Forecast Bet
This is the simplest of the exotic bets, as here you are tasked with predicting the horses to finish first and second in the correct order. This will naturally increase your odds, however, it is harder to win!
5. The Superfecta Bet
This is the hardest exotic bet to win by far. Here you must correctly predict the first, second, third, and fourth-place finishers in the correct order. Obviously, if you win the payout will be huge, yet it is very rarely done!
When you are playing on new sports betting sites all of these different wagers may not be available when partaking in online horse racing betting. Even so, most straight and antepost bets should be accessible for you to use.
Antepost bets are the ones that you predict a horse to win long before the race begins. This is particularly profitable if you choose a Grand National winner months in advance, for example. In the box below, we have provided you with an in-depth example of how to place a real-life horse racing bet.
How Does the Each-Way Bet Work? A Practical Example
The each-way bet is a staple of horse racing bookmakers. That is why we have developed an example for you to use. Say we were betting on the Grand National, and we had a horse called Frankie’s Delight to win at 4/1, we’d see it a good chance. We put a £5 stake, but as it is E/W this would be a total of £10 down.
If our horse were to win outright, we’d see a total return of £34. Not bad at all, all things considered. If the horse placed second, third, fourth, or potentially fifth, our returns would decrease significantly, the further down the horse landed
Is In-Play Horse Racing Betting a Thing?
Unlike the sports we have featured on the live sports betting page, horse race betting in-play does not exist. This is due to the nature of the sport and also to curb any forms of illegal gambling. It’s unfortunate for fans of this form of betting, but it is a sad reality. There are plenty of other sports that can fulfil this need.
Horse Race is Best for Live Streaming
When it comes to live horse racing betting, watching it unfold before your eyes is an unrivalled experience. There is nothing better than seeing your chosen pick racing along the final furlong with a lead, and then crossing the posts in first. With the bookie below, you’ll have the best choice of races to watch.
- Horse Racing Live Streaming: Yes
- Daily Live Streaming: Yes
- Cash Out: Yes
There are races every day that you can watch unfold and this means you will never get tired of watching the same stuff. Every site we have featured on this page offers daily streams, so you are truly spoilt for choice.
Horse Racing Betting on Mobile Apps
There are many horse racing betting apps out there. The best ones are easy to navigate and allow you to place bets in minimal clicks. The advantage of playing on your smartphone is that you will have access to it wherever you go. Giving you the ultimate flexibility.
In our general review about sports betting apps we have highlighted all of the key features needed to make an app truly stand out from the rest. Overall, you want one that is simple to operate, but gives you all the same opportunities as a desktop.
Horse Racing Betting Offers and Promotions
There are numerous horse racing betting offers for you to enjoy. These range from free bets to best odds guaranteed and can really enhance your experience at your chosen bookie. Below, you can find the very best offer dedicated to the sport for your enjoyment!
The bookie we chose has many ongoing offers as well as this fantastic welcome offer. Many people just look at the initial promotion, however, it is important for your continuing enjoyment to have access to multiple offers as time goes on, and this bookmaker provides that opportunity. Even though the best gambling offers online for new players can give a mighty boost to your starting bankroll, regular promotions can be more beneficial in the long term.
Security Features and Licence
Every one of the best horse racing betting sites here possesses a licence obtained through the UK Gambling Commission. If they don’t, we will not feature them. It is as simple as that. This organisation upholds standards and integrity in betting, so it is important that the operator is under their jurisdiction.
- UKCG
- Gamcare
- GambleAware
- GA
Another important aspect is the association with responsible gambling organisations. The ones we have shown above are some of the biggest names and have partnerships to ensure every punter’s safety. Look for these logos when you log on to your respective bookmaker to know that you are well-protected.
Payment Methods Available
Another aspect to assess when we look at horse racing betting is the payment options available at the different bookies. The more choice of methods, the better. In this day and age, traditional payments don’t suffice. Bookmakers also need to offer lots of e-wallets too.
The bookie we have selected above is truly one of the best when it comes to the number of options. They are also the best for PayPal, with deposits in an instant and very quick withdrawals. The selection of payment options in unbridled and means you will always find what you are looking for.
Special Features for Horse Racing Bettors
Something that can really help the best horse racing betting sites stand out from the crowd is the extra features which they offer. When it comes to this sport, the virtual world is where this can happen. If you chosen operator has a top section dedicated to this, then you are certainly on to a winner.
Virtual Horse Racing
The advent of virtual horse racing has really turned the tables when it comes to the sport. Now, you can see a race take off every three to four minutes. This is incredible and really gives you the opportunity to always have the chance to place a wager.
Top Horse Racing Betting Strategies
When you are getting to place a bet on horse racing, you will want to have the best information at hand to try and sway the odds in your favour. Our team has collected some of the most popular strategies that are employed by punter throughout the land. Whether they are always successful is another matter to discuss!
- Betting Systems – There are plenty of betting systems out there. A good one for horse racing is dutching. Here, you find a gap in the odds and place money on numerous horses, so that no matter which horses wins you stand a chance to gain profit – no matter how minuscule.
- Laying the Favourite – This may seem counterintuitive but laying against a favourite in the betting exchange can really reap rewards. Favourite usually win about 1/3 of races, that means you’ll have 2/3 of races to make a profit on! Choose wisely and it could be more.
- Find Multiple Races – A good strategy to employ is to spread your money around across multiple races. There is no use lumping it all on the Grand National and losing it all in one go. A variety of different kinds of races is also a good idea.
- Form Tables – Ok, this may seem obvious, but it isn’t for everyone. It is integral that you do your homework and see how the horses have been performing in recent runs. Just like humans, they can have dips in production. Research always pays in the long run!
- Make a Budget – Ok, this is more of a warning than a strategy, but you should always have a budget and never go over it. This is very important as, as soon as you start chasing losses you become vulnerable to placing stupid bets that aren’t worth it!
- Have Fun! – Our number one rule when it comes to betting is to have fun. It should never feel like a chore or like it is a necessity. It is a pastime where maybe you can make a few bucks, but it is also entertainment and should always remain that way.
As you can see, there are a multitude of different strategies that you can employ. The best ones are the ones that work for you. It is impossible to win every time you bet, yet employing a clever strategy can bet you in a net profit.
History of Horse Racing Betting in the UK
Horse racing has a grand and royal history in the UK. It was first said that King James I created Newmarket as a royal retreat and the first ever races were held there between 1606 – 1634. This continued over the years with the British Classics leading the way.
In 1928 the Racecourse Betting Act made the Tote organisation the only legal way to bet. In 1961 legislation meant betting shops were legal, and in 2000 the first online wagering was allowed, letting the best betting sites for horse racing develop into what they are today.
Lots of Options for Horse Racing Punters
Now we are nearing the end of this horse racing betting guide, we are sure you can acknowledge there are plenty of bookmakers that offer a really good product. Of course, this means it is incredibly difficult to pick one winner. Even so, the operator found below is our ultimate choice.
If all that is not enough to wet your whistle, just as we have done for the best bookies for horse racing, we have also created a list of top casino sites, as well as a selection of the best online gambling sites for real money in the UK for you to have a look over. You can also examine some of the best daily fantasy sports UK sites here, if you are interested in fantasy sports tournaments. You can also take your chances when betting at the best darts bookmakers in the UK. As you can see, there are endless opportunities at your fingertips. So, go out there and enjoy it!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Racing Bookmakers
Now we have come to the end of this spectacular guide to the best horse racing betting sites, we feel we have answered all of your questions. Even so, our team came up with the idea of listing all the most frequently asked ones together in a list for you to browse. See them below!