Best Horse Racing Betting Sites – Our Expert Review for 2024

After football, horse racing is the UK’s second biggest spectator sport with over 6 million people heading to the track each and every year. If that sounds impressive, it is nothing compared to the number of armchair followers of the sport of kings; an estimated 550 million people watch the Grand National each year in over 140 countries.

Top Horse Racing Betting Sites UK & Their Strengths

Horse racing punters have different preferences, which is why it’s important to know the strengths of various horse racing betting sites. That’s why we split the best horse racing betting sites in the UK by category to help you narrow down your search.

The best horse racing betting sites offer several perks for their customers to take advantage of. These usually come in the form of insurances, free bets or best odds guarantees. Though these sound nice, ultimately, you should register at UK racebooks that fit your gambling style.

While promotions are what most people look for in a new racebook, don’t overlook all the other features out there. With so much competition between bookmakers, many focus on specific features to attract their ideal customers.

For instance, many horse racing bookmakers offer free horse racing livestreams. Some operators let you watch the fixture if you have a small wager on it, but the best horse racing live streaming sites let you watch any race provided you have funds in your betting account and you’re in the UK.

Other sites may choose to focus on fixture coverage, offering thousands of races per day from around the world. If you’re a high volume bettor who relies on making several wagers a day, finding a site like this might be the correct choice for you.

When all is said and done, there are few sites that excel in all these categories. However, by carefully selecting the horse racing bookmakers that you open accounts with, you can ensure you have the best betting experience possible.

How to Register at a Horse Racing Betting Site

Creating an account with horse racing betting sites is a straightforward process. Go to your operator of choice and click the sign-up button. You will be prompted for your personal information like your name, address and mobile number.

Once you do this you will receive an email asking you to confirm your account. Keep in mind that you may be required to show proof of address or identity before you are allowed to deposit. This can be as simple as scanning an image of a utility bill or pay stub and sending it to customer support.

Here’s a step by step guide to registering with UK horse racing betting sites:

How to Judge a Horse Racing Betting Site

With so many different horse racing betting sites on the market all professing to be of the highest quality, it is a potential minefield out there! Therefore, before you go ahead and sign up with a bookmaker there are a few important things you should keep in mind, especially when you’re on the hunt for a quality horse racing betting service. Questions such as: Does the operator offer a good welcome bonus? Do they have a good race selection? Do they offer live streams? These are valid questions that are extremely important when it comes to distinguishing the best betting sites from the ones that are just there to make up the numbers.

In the following paragraphs, you will find all the information you need to bet on horses at the correct bookmaker. Naturally, some bookies will be stronger in some areas than others, so it is up to you to decide what is the most important factor when choosing. These are just some of the most common ones to look out for.

Odds Levels

Before you start wagering with a horse racing bookmaker, you should take into account their average odds levels. Usually differing between flat races and hunt races, the odds levels represent the value you will get for your bet. While bookies will never offer you odds of 100% – this would put them out of business! – the best operators will give you value of around 90%. When there is a big event – such as the Grand National or Royal Ascot – bookmakers fight over each other to entice you to bet with them, thus dramatically shortening the odds price for that race.

Horse racing odds do change depending on the race, so keep in mind that the percentages shown in this table can and do fluctuate. Overall the bookies shown here are the best and can be relied upon to provide you with fair prices.

Horse Race Selection

For the most part, you can be sure that the operators we’ve featured in our review cover all the most high-profile races from the British Isles. There are, however, a whole host of professional races taking place all around the world in North & South America, Asia and beyond. To ensure that customers are spoiled for choice, the best operators will always offer bets on a wide range of horse races from all around the globe. Here are the top 20 races for horse racing betting:

• Grand National (Aintree Racecourse, UK)
• Cheltenham Festival (Cheltenham Racecourse, UK)
• Gold Cup (Cheltenham Racecourse, UK)
• Kentucky Derby (Churchill Downs, USA)
• Epsom Derby (Epsom Downs, UK)
• Melbourne Cup (Flemington Racecourse, Australia)
• Breeders’ Cup (Various Tracks, North America)
• 2000 Guineas Stakes (Rowley Mile, UK)
• 1000 Guineas Stakes (Rowley Mile, UK)
• Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham Racecourse, UK)
• Dubai World Cup (Meydan Racecourse, UAE)
• Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp Racecourse, France)
• Ascot Gold Cup (Ascot Racecourse, UK)
• Epsom Oaks (Epsom Downs, UK)
• King George VI Stakes (Kempton Park, UK)
• Stayers’ Hurdle (Cheltenham Racecourse, UK)
• Queen Mother Champion Chase (Cheltenham Racecourse, UK)
• Hennessy Gold Cup (Newbury Racecourse, UK)
• St Leger Stakes (Doncaster Racecourse, UK)
• King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Ascot Racecourse, UK)

Since there are so many ways to bet on horse racing, understanding the race types, tracks and events is crucial to your bottom line. What works in steeplechase won’t work on a flat track, and what works for three-year-old fillies won’t work for open age groups. It’s important to find styles of racing that you like, otherwise, you won’t get as much enjoyment out of horse racing as you should. Plus, focusing on a few types of horse racing is important for being profitable. It’s hard to bet on several different formats successfully.

Tote Pools

Getting involved with a tote pool is a great way to ease yourself into horse racing betting. Also known as parimutuel betting, it works by pooling bets together into one big jackpot. After the race is run, this money is then shared out among all customers with a winning bet. Some critics may argue that Tote betting doesn’t offer you the same starting prices as regular betting, yet it can allow for massive jackpot wins. Therefore, when looking for an operator to bet with, it is worth considering how many tote pools they offer, as these can represent big value bets.

Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

Popular horse racing events draw a significant amount of interest from punters in UK. Because of this, it is well within bookmaker’s interests to offer special bonuses and promotional deals that coincide with the most high-profile events that can offer bettors the chance to pick up some extra funds. The most common type of bonus is the sign-up offer, which usually comes in the form of free bets or a deposit match. Not a bad way to start off your new accounts with horse racing bookies.

Using horse racing betting welcome offers is one of the easiest ways to start placing bets on the races. Just make sure you use any promo codes that are required, and that you meet the terms and conditions laid out by the operator. The fine print contains everything you need to know about claiming bonuses, like what qualifying bets are, how long you have to claim a promotion and the wagering requirements you need to meet before you can withdraw.

Horse Racing Apps

Although it is rare to find special apps solely dedicated for betting on horses, operators usually optimise their general sports betting apps to perform to a high standard placing bets on horse races. The best apps, however, come with a whole host of extra added features that make betting on horses just that more enjoyable.

Live Horse Racing Streaming

Live streams are a great way to get directly involved in the action by watching it as it unfolds. Live streaming platforms and live streaming archives allow you to study competitor’s past form and really sharpen your handicapping processes. In addition, live commentary provided by the betting site’s own radio channels allow you to get closer to the race than ever before. Most bookies require at least a minimum of £1 before you are allowed to view the stream.

Virtual Betting

Virtual sports betting has rapidly grown to become one of the UK’s most profitable betting markets. Nowadays, any operator worth its salt will make sure it has a high-quality virtual horse racing platform complete with state-of-the-art graphics, smooth functionality and races starting at regular intervals. In addition, operators have now optimised their mobile apps to support virtual horse racing platforms.

Website Security & Legalities

Your safety is our number one priority, which is why we check that all the sites listed here are licensed with the UK Gambling Commission, Britain’s primary betting regulatory body. It’s responsible for making sure that horse racing betting sites operate a fair and transparent service.

You can check a bookmaker’s licence by going to the UK Gambling Commission website and searching for the company, or by locating a clickable link in the footer of your chosen horse racing bookmaker. The UKGC website shows you whether or not a licence is active or expired.

You should also ensure that the website itself is secured by a reputable IT security company, e.g. Norton, or Thawte, to ensure maximum customer safety. To check a horse racing betting website’s security certificate, click the padlock on the left side of your browser’s address bar and then the “Certificates” button. These certificates verify a site is using the correct protocols and encryption technology to safeguard your data and banking information.

Another way to assure peace of mind is to check whether the operator partnered with the British Horseracing Authority. This seal of approval not only shows that a site is 100% fair and regulated, but also that it’s giving back to the sport by offering financial support in the form of prize money, assistance with veterinary science and industry education.

Customer Support

Customer Support may not be the first thing that you think of before betting, yet it is still one of the most important parts of betting to think of before wagering. It is of paramount importance that you feel taken care of when punting on a horse race. Knowing a bookmaker allows you to contact them on your preferred contact method, is available around-the-clock, and are helpful and informative when answering any queries that you might have makes all the difference when betting on horses. It can actually be the distinction between a good betting experience and a great one.

Payment Methods

The best horse racing bookies have several ways with which you can deposit and withdraw your funds. This is important because you are trusting these sites with your hard-earned money. Therefore, you should select highly secured and encrypted payment options when conducting your transactions.

Whether you’re after convenience or security, you should be able to find a payment method that fits your needs at most operators. It’s worth mentioning that not all payment options are accepted for the purpose of claiming welcome bonuses, so read the fine print before you deposit. Here are the most popular payment methods accepted by horse racing bookmakers:

*Limits may apply from the payment processor.

All the payment methods listed here are licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can verify each company’s compliance with British financial regulations by searching for the organization’s name in the FCA Register. The register contains information about the firms’ ownership groups and the type of transactions they’re licensed for.

Winning big shouldn’t be a burden. Using licensed operators and payment methods means you can stay focused on the track and not on your accounts. You shouldn’t have to worry about receiving payment, identity theft or fraud just because you had a great day betting on horses.

Extra Features

Although you may think that a horse racing betting site’s extra added features are not the be-all and end-all when it comes to assessing the quality of the service, they can very often prove to be extremely useful when you have to make calculated decisions. Up-to-date and informative blog pages or comprehensive form guides are great for providing betting tips and insider knowledge that can tip the scales in your favour when the time comes to lay your stake They may not be the be-all and end-all, but their ability to allow you to make more calculated and informed wagers should not be overlooked.

Must Have Features at Horse Racing Betting Sites

There are several features every horse racing betting site you come across should have. While great welcome offers are always attractive, there’s more to worry about when you’re punting on the sport of kings. Here are the must-have features you should look for in a quality horse racing bookmaker:

• Great Odds: Finding the best odds is the best way to maintain healthy bankroll growth.
• Market Variety: A wide variety of markets helps you find more opportunities for value bets.
• Race Selection: Finding the best races at the top tracks helps you find better wagers to make.
• Live Streaming: Live streaming lets you watch the action as it unfolds.
• Virtual Racing: Virtual horse racing platforms let you keep punting even when the nags aren’t running.

By finding a horse racing bookie with these features, you’re guaranteed to have a better experience than you would at one without them. The best horse racing betting sites in the UK have all these features and more to provide you with a comprehensive punting platform.

Differences Between Betting on Horse Racing and Other Sports

In many respects, betting on horses is not so unlike betting on other sports. In order to make calculated decisions, you have to take the time to study the field to ensure that you have as much information on the competitors as possible. Horse racing takes this to a new level, however, with experts dedicating large amounts of time to studying the horse’s daily training habits, stable conditions and breeding history. Here you can see a few of the aspects of betting on horses that makes it unique from other sports.

• Gender Neutral Sport – Both female and male horses and jockeys compete against one another.
• Surgical Race and Preparation Analysis – Everything from the owner’s history to the horse’s breeding to the jockey’s success is important in picking a winning selection.
• Try before you buy – At a horse race you have the chance to observe the horse’s behaviour and physical condition to see if it merits a bet.
• 100% Legal – Alongside greyhound racing, it’s one of the only sports where you can legally wager on an animal.

Things To Consider Before Betting On Horse Races

Do you know your horses? Or are you completely new to this racing game? Whether you need to refresh your knowledge or are planning to start from scratch, this site covers everything you need to consider before betting on horse races, including the types of bets on offer and the types of races you can bet on, as well as those all-important betting strategies and systems which shall start helping you to pick a winner.

Preparation

Preparation is key, but finding the right info is hard. We here at this site might be seasoned pros when it comes to the world of horse racing, but we found that those at the top are loathe to share information with youngsters. We wanted to change that, and help newcomers gather as much knowledge as they can so they can prepare themselves before punting on the races. You should read about the different bet types you can expect, the types of races prevalent in horse racing, and the key strategy to help you win.

Horse Racing Bet Types

At first glance the different names of horse races can be rather confusing, but in reality its actually rather simple. Its worth keeping in mind the two biggest bets. There is the ‘to win’ bet – the most straightforward – where you bet on which horse you think is going to win. Then there is the each-way bet, where if your horse wins, you get paid due to your horse winning and placing (finishing between 1st and fourth). But then, if you horse comes 2nd, 3rd or 4th, you will get paid back at a relative fraction of your original odds.

Here are the most popular horse racing bet types:

• Win/Each-Way: The most straightforward wager where you simply predict horses to win, place or show.
• Win Without the Favourite: Another straightforward wager where you bet on which horse wins without the favourite for reduced odds.
• Single: The most popular bet type where you wager on a horse to win a specific race.
• Double: A double is a stake on two horses to win two different races.
• Treble: The same as a double but including a third horse to win a third race.
• Accumulator: Also known as an “acca”, this is the same as a double or treble but with four or more legs.
• Trixie: A system bet with three horses spread across four wagers – three doubles and a treble.
• Yankee: The same as a trixie but with four horses, increasing the total wager to four bets – six doubles, four trebles and a four leg acca.
• Forecast: Requires you to pick the two horses that finish first and second in a specific race.
• Tricast: The same as a forecast, but you choose another horse to make it the top three finishers.

Race Types

The UK Horse Racing calendar is usually split into two seasons: the Summer Season, which is dedicated to Flat Racing, and the Winter Season, which is dedicated to National Hunt Racing. Of the hunt races, there is both the hurdle (over fences) and the steeplechase (a long race over hedges). Horses who partake in hunt races are between grades 1-3, while the flat races accept horses going down all the way to grade 7. Naturally, grade 1 races, such as the Grand National or Royal Ascot, are few and far between, with only 30 taking place each year.

Horse Racing Betting Strategy

Unless you are blessed with the luck o’ the Irish, you won’t pick winners betting on the horses without a clear strategy. Some have built a system which they use to make value wins over a long period. Whether this is the statistical lay, the Back the Beaten Favourite System or the Dutching System, being smart with your bets dramatically increases your likelihood of getting success. Always remember, before planning out your horse racing strategy, that you should only bet money that you can afford to lose. Here are some other tips and tricks:

• Use Data: Find statistics for previous races horses have run and make your wagers accordingly.
• Consider Form: Consider giving more weight to the most recent race results in events a horse has run.
• Think About Post Position: The positions horses start in can give you an advantage.
• Use Jockey Results: Being a jockey requires skill, so some jockeys tend to have better results.
• Assess Track Types: Horses perform better on certain surfaces over various distances, so take advantage of this fact.

Top Horse Racing Betting Site – Our Top Pick

While most of the sites listed here are great in their own ways, our number one horse racing betting site stands above the rest. It has great promotions, solid odds and accepts several of the most common payment methods. Other operators however, most notably William Hill, also excelled in these areas. However, the operator we listed below was the best overall horse racing bookmaker and offers UK gamblers several benefits you won’t find anywhere else.

The bookmaker listed here is the best UK horse racing betting site we’ve come across. Not only does it have generous promotions with fair terms, but it also has one of the most extensive products overall. It has a great horse racing betting app, live streams and ongoing promotions.

It ranked the highest overall across all the benchmarks we use to rate horse racing betting sites. However, the area we were most impressed with was its odds. It has some of the best payouts around on some of the biggest races in the world. If you want to try a new horse racing bookie, we suggest creating an account here.

Horse Racing Betting 101: Frequently Asked Questions

We aim to provide a completely comprehensive and useful guide to horse racing betting. An important part of our research involves identifying the questions that experienced punters and new customers at new horse racing betting sites usually ask, then answering them fully and clearly. Here are the most frequently asked questions from our readers:

More Interesting Topics

Though we try to make our guides as comprehensive as possible, perhaps there is a topic you would like to learn about in more depth. Bonus hunters can check out our list of the best horse racing betting welcome offers, while weekend warriors might want to take a look at our horse racing events guide.

You can also check out our guides to all the top horse racing tracks for a breakdown of surfaces, lengths and types of tracks that each event is run on. Otherwise, here is a complete list of our most popular horse racing betting guides: