Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in the UK – Complete List of 2024

Horse racing is where it all began as far as sports betting and the UK bookmaking industry is concerned and it’s good to see the sport getting continued support from horse racing bookies in this country. The practise of horse racing betting stretches back over hundreds of years while many UK online betting sites were formed way back in the first half of the 20th century.

While some mainland European companies don’t even quote markets for the sport, it’s vital that the UK backs it to the full. If you see the vast crowds that descend on the Cheltenham Festival in March, Royal Ascot in June and many others then you’ll know just how much money is staked on horse racing every year.

But if you’re not at the course and you’re betting online, who are the best UK horse racing betting sites is concerned?

The best horse racing betting sites in the UK are bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfred and 32red. These online bookmakers are covering not only the major racing events but most of the minor ones worldwide. Besides the wide range of horse racing betting options and markets they are also offering top quality service when it comes to payments or customer support.

List of UK Best Horse Racing Betting Sites – Updated November, 2024

• Ontario
  
• SIA (Sports Interaction)
  
  SIA for Ontario residents
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  New customers only. T&Cs Apply. 19+ Play Responsibly. Ontario only. 19+.
  
• Ontario
  
  Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario.
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• Betway
  
  Ontario Sports betting from Betway
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  New customers only from Ontario (CA). 19+. Full Terms apply. Play Responsibly
• 888sport
  
  888Sport for Ontario players
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  #Ad Full Terms and Conditions Apply. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+
• Canada (excl. Ontario)
  Offers not available for Ontario residents.
  Offers not available for Ontario residents.
  18+ only.
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• SIA (Sports Interaction)
  
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• ComeOn
  
  Bet $25 and get $100 in Free Bets
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  18+ Begambleaware.org Min. deposit: $20. Wagering requirements (min odds 1.75) must be fulfilled within 30 days before a withdrawal. Accepted payment methods for the welcome offer are: Credit or Debit cards, MuchBetter, Local Bank Transfers, Interact. Any fraudulent or unethical behaviour be suspected in the Player’s Gameplay, the company has the right to reject the withdrawal and confiscate winnings.
• Betway
  
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• 888sport
  
  100% bonus up to $300 + $10 casino bonus
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  $10 min deposit • The bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least once with cumulative odds of 1.5 or greater • Wagering must be cleared within 60 days • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Wagering limit of $50 per bet Applies • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & Full T&C’s apply
• Ontario
  
• bet365
  
  Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets - Registration Required
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  #Ad. 18+ New Customers only. Registration Required. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three 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.
  
  Significant Terms and Conditions
  
  • Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5* or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30* in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable.
  • To release your Bet Credits for use, you must place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit (capped at £10*) and they must settle within 30 days of claiming the offer. Only qualifying bets placed and settled after claiming the offer will count towards this requirement.
  • Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, paysafecard and all other prepaid credit and debit cards, where available, cannot be used for either your qualifying deposit or any subsequent withdrawal of returns from Bet Credits stakes unless we have successfully verified an accepted form of your Identity Documents and you have entered a Postal Verification Code (PVC), or we have successfully verified two accepted forms of your Identity Documents. See full Terms and Conditions for details.
  • Bets placed must meet certain conditions to count towards the release of your Bet Credits:
  - Must contain at least one selection at odds of 1/5 (1.20) or greater.
  - In market/fixture combinations that only have two or three potential outcomes (for example Soccer Full Time Result), where you have placed bets on more than one potential outcome, either pre-match or In-Play, only the outcome with your highest cumulative stake will count.
  - Where a stake has been partially Cashed Out, only the remaining active stake will count.
  - Where a bet has been edited using our Edit Bet feature, only the new stake on the new bet will count.
  - Fully Cashed Out, Instant Games, Gaming, void bets or In-Play bets which are settled as a push will not count.
  • Your Bet Credits are non-withdrawable, and Bet Credits stakes are not included in any returns. Any returns from Bet Credits placed will be added to your Withdrawable Balance. Bet Credits cannot be used on certain products, offers/promotions and bet types. See full Terms and Conditions for details.
  • Your Bet Credits will be forfeit and removed if your account is inactive for 90 consecutive days.
  
  *or currency equivalent
  
  T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.  See full Terms. Registration required. Please gamble responsibly! www.begambleaware.org
• Safer Gambling Week
  
  18-24 November 2024
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  0808 8020 133
• Betfred
  
  BETFRED50 - Get £50 in Free Bets
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  New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply; 18+ www.begambleaware.org #ad
• 10bet
  
  100% up to £50 welcome bonus. Code: SPORT
  
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• Betway
  
  Get up to £90 in Free Bets
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  Opt-in required. Upon weekly qualification, customers will be credited with £/€10 in Free Bets in two £/€5 installments on Saturday and Monday. From 24th September until 18th November 2022, an extra £/€5 Free Bet will be added to Quest to Qatar pot, which half will be credited on 19th November 2022, and the other half credited on 3rd December 2022. £30 Acca Offer New UK customers only. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. Debit card deposits only. Valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Full terms apply.
• 888sport
  
  100% up to £250 w/ code 250BONUS
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  #Ad. 18+. £10 min deposit using promo code 250BONUS • The bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least twice with cumulative odds of 1.50 or greater • To withdraw any winnings from your bonus, you must wager the bonus amount at least 5 times • All deposit and bonus wagering requirements must be completed within 60 days • This offer may not be combined with any other offer • Wagering limit of £50 per bet Applies • Restrictions apply to withdrawals, payment methods and countries & full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly - www.begambleaware.org
• Mr Play
  
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• Grosvenor
  
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• LV BET
  
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  18+ | New UK players after 31.03.2021 | Valid on first Sports bet | Min. dep. £10 req. | Min. £10 wag. on the first bet with min. total odds of 1/1 to qualify | Bet must be settled | Bonus Wag. req.1x on min. 2-fold Acca bets (min. 1/4 odds each selection) with min. final odds of 1/ 1| Virtual and cashed out bets do not qualify | One-time offer | Bonuses credited following working day | T&Cs apply | BeGambleAware.org #ad
• Ontario
  
• LV BET
  
  100% up to €50
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  18+. New Customers Only. 100% Welcome Bonus up to €50. Minimum deposit: €10. Maximum Bonus: €50. Wagering Requirements: 12x (Deposit+Bonus). Minimum 2 selections with total odds of 2.00. Payment method and country restrictions apply. The offer is valid until 31.12.2021. Bets placed on different selections within the same market or bets placed on equivalent markets are not eligible for this offer. Gamble Responsibly.
• QuinnBet Sports
  
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• Ontario
  
• bet365
  
  Get Up To ₹4,000 in Bet Credits
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  15% of your qualifying deposit in Bet Credits (up to ₹4,000). Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. 18+, begambleaware.org.
• Betway
  
  100% Matched Free Bet up to ₹4,000 If First Bet Loses
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  *New India customers only. Min Stake: ₹250. Max Free Bet: ₹4,000. First bet on any sports with overall odds: 2.00 (1/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+ Terms Apply
• Casumo
  
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• ComeOn
  
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• Bons
  
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• Ontario
  
• bet365
  
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  Open an account with bet365 today and bet on a huge range of markets with the world's favourite online sports betting company. Registration required.
• PlayUp Australia
  
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• Ontario
  
• Ontario
  

Types of Horse Racing Betting

Horse racing isn’t the kind of sport that lends itself to a lot of side betting. Its simplicity is one of the reasons why betting on horses is so popular but there is a choice beyond the obvious:

Win, Place and Each-Way Betting

All of the above are forms of sports betting on the race result: The win is the most common bet and where most of us started out with horse racing betting. Here, the sole task is to look at the field and decide on which horse will finish first past the post and be confirmed as the winner.

Staking is also very simple here so let’s say you want to bet £10.00 on the outcome and that will be the total of your outlay.

Each Way horse racing match betting is a popular alternative to the above when the punter isn’t sure about the horse’s chances to win. Alternatively, perhaps they’ve spotted a longer-priced horse down the field and are looking for a little extra value.

An each way punt will pay out if the horse either wins the race or is placed high up the field. The best example may come in a field of ten horses and the e/w bet will pay out if the horse finishes in the top three. The payout will depend on the amount of horses involved in the field so check this point when placing your bet stake.

Alternatively, bookies may take advantage of this type of bet to bring in promotions for the really big races. For example, at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, they may pay down to six or even seven places.

Staking works differently here as your outlay is doubled. A £10.00 each way bet stakes on a win and also on a place so with this example, the total stake is £20.00.

A place is another way of making a single bet on a race finish. Here, we are betting on the horse to finish in the top two, three or four (depending on the amount of runners in the race). There is no each way element here so this is one bet and therefore, using the same example as before, your entire outlay is just £10.00.

Returns from a place bet will be lower than the win equivalent but this is a good way to keep things simple if you want to avoid the each way option.

Multiple Bets

A multiple, as the name suggests, will combine two or more horses from separate races and the bet will pay out if they succeed in their runs. Wins, Each Way and Place bets can all be applied here and while the exposure is greater, the profits are higher when they land.

The simplest example involves two horses in two selected races and we therefore combine those into a win double. We want to stake £10.00 so that outlay is doubled to £20.00 because there are two outcomes involved here. Remember, that both horses have to win and if that’s not the case, the bet will be lost.

Disqualification and Non Runner No Bet

There’s nothing more frustrating than betting on a horse and not seeing it complete the race. If it falls at a fence or is pulled up then your bet is simply lost but what if that horse is disqualified or, worse still, what happens if it is declared a non runner?

This point needs to be checked very carefully: In the case of non runners, some bookies will issue a non-runner no bet promotion which will return your stake in full. However, these may only drop in for the big Group One races on the calendar so do check terms and conditions if in any doubt.

In regards to disqualification, if your chosen horse is disqualified for any reason at all – e.g. taking the wrong course, then it will be classed as a loser and your bet will be forfeited.

Rule 4 Deductions

A rule 4 deduction can be made to any win, each way or place bet after a race is completed. These will only apply if a certain number of horses are withdrawn from a race and it is deemed that those withdrawals would have affected the result.

For example, maybe you have placed a bet on the third favourite in the ante post betting. Once that bet has been placed, the top two rated horses then pull out. Your horse will then have an easier passage to the winning post and therefore, this is one instance where rule 4 deductions will apply.

Ante Post Betting

In terms of horse racing, an ante post bet is placed in a market at least a day before the off. Bookies will declare prices in advance and it is then up to the punter to decide whether to take an early bet or to wait until the market settles down and any non runners are confirmed. The benefit of an ante post stake is that the prices can often be longer.

For big races such as the Derby or the Group Ones at Cheltenham, ante post options can be issued some weeks in advance while for minor meetings, it’s more likely to be 24 – 48 hours.

Early and Board Prices

Early and board prices are both made available on the day of a race but there is a very clear distinction between the two. An early price will be set by your bookmaker in the morning – either online or in a physical shop – and then these are followed by the board prices which go up at the meeting when the course is opened.

There is a potential benefit in the sense that early prices may be longer so it’s up to the individual to decide whether or not to take advantage.

Best Value Horse Racing Odds

Value in this instance relates to the competitive nature of the markets prior to a race going off. For example, horse racing betting site A may have the favourite listed at 4/1 while horse racing betting site B has it at 5/1. In that case, clearly bookmaker B is offering the better value.

To check this on a regular basis it is possible to use the main odds comparison sites but over time, punters will become aware of who is giving the best value horse racing odds on a consistent basis. And, there is always the safety net of the Best Odds Guarantee Scheme to kick in when required.

Best Odds Guaranteed

The vast majority of bookies who cover British and Irish horse racing issue a permanent promotion known as best odds guaranteed. It’s a simple offer to follow and it just means that you will not lose out on value if you take a bet on the ante post markets.

The bookie in question will consider the price when you placed the bet and then compare it to the SP odds. If you have a winner, you will be paid out on whichever is the higher figure. All of this is done automatically when you bet online and it should be available on all British and Irish horse racing.

Race Card

The term ‘race card’ refers to the list of races at one specific meeting. Anyone attending a day’s racing at any course around the UK and Ireland will find that there will be six to seven races on that one day. There is likely to be a feature race but this will form just part of a busy schedule.

The races are then published online and, in the traditional way via printed material and this literally sees them showcased on a race ‘card’.

Horse Racing Types and Terminology

The sport of horse racing has a language all of its own but it doesn’t have to be a confusing one. Many of the phrases are simple to understand but it’s important to have a grasp of the different racing events if you are going to bet successfully.

Flat Racing

As the name suggests, flat racing takes place over a flat surface and there are no jumps or fences getting in the way. Various lengths of races are involved from short, five furlong sprints upwards but the clue is in the name here.

Some of the greatest races such as the Derby take place during the flat season.

Jump Racing

Jump racing is also referred to as national hunt and the clear difference here is that fences are involved. The National Hunt season takes in some of the best courses and biggest races in the history of the sport and the thrills of jumping tends to make for bigger crowds.

Jump racing may be tougher to call but it’s a big part of the horse racing calendar.

Other

Other forms of horse racing have become a little outdated but if you find a specialist horse racing betting site such as Racebets, it is still possible to find markets for them. The most common of these is Trotting which involves racing with a carriage and harness.

Trotting retains a certain popularity outside of the UK and for determined bettors, it is still possible to find options from around the horse race betting sites in the UK.

Handicapping in Horse Racing

Horse racing will often feature a handicap race and this is designed to see that all horses start on a level playing field. What happens here is that certain horses will be made to carry additional weight so that in theory, all of the runners will start with an equal opportunity to win the race.

For example, if the handicapper spots a clear favourite who has a much better record than the rest of the field, the weight that is added is designed to slow that horse down and bring it in line with the rest of the pack.

This practise then continues with the rest of the runners until that ‘level playing field’ is achieved.

Annual and Best Horse Racing Events in the UK

Ask a series of casual punters what the most famous horse races are and chances are they will give you the same two answers every time. For flat racing, that means the Derby while over the jumps, the Grand National leads the way.

While it may be true that these are the most famous renewals, there are many more huge Group One events right across the horse racing year. January and February are traditionally quiet periods for the sport but all of that changes in March.

That’s when the Cheltenham Festival comes along with four great days of National Hunt racing. There are a number of top class Group One meetings right through the card but it all builds up to Friday and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It’s second only to the Grand National in terms of prestige and is a time when casual and serious bettors join to get involved.

April hosts the Grand National and the Derby follows on its new date at the start of June. In the same month, Royal Ascot comes along with its own version of the Gold Cup and another five days of racing at one of the biggest festivals in the world.

Most racegoers would say that those are the biggest events but there is plenty more to enjoy throughout the calendar year. In April, the Scottish Grand National is held and then, a month later, there is the Guineas Meeting at Newmarket which is seen as a big trial for the Derby in June.

May also sees the Dante Meeting at York and then, in July, it’s Glorious Goodwood. Move ahead to August and we have the Ebor at York while September sees the historic St Leger at Doncaster. Top renewals continue and even the festive season holds something special for horse racing with the running of the Welsh National and the King George V Gold Cup.

Those are just some of the top events in any horse racing year in the UK but there are daily meetings (with the exception of Christmas Day) and so much more to enjoy.

FAQ