Bet on Horse Racing: Read our Complete 2021 Guide
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This article looks at how to bet on horse racing. It examines horse racing betting odds and horse racing betting tips. It is still the core sport in retail outlets in the UK, and most UK-facing online bookmakers provide exceptional horse racing betting services.
New customers and existing players can refer to the steps required to bet on horse racing.
Top 7 Sites to bet on Horse Racing: Current Offers and Bonuses
Deciding where to bet is no easy task. The UK, in particular, is saturated with online betting sites all trying to get your attention. However, our experienced team has handpicked seven stellar bookmakers for racing punters.
Bookmaker | Welcome Offer | Claim the Offer | |
---|---|---|---|
bet365 | Sign up offers available for new customers | ||
18+ T&Cs Apply | |||
William Hill | Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets | ||
New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below. terms apply. | |||
Coral | Bet £5, Get £20 in free bets | ||
18+ New Online UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions +T&Cs apply | |||
Betfair | Up to £100 in free bets | ||
New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply | |||
Paddy Power | £20 risk-free bet & £5 same game multi | ||
New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any Sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Paypal will qualify. £5 Same Game Multi free bet will be available to claim from the promotions hub after the qualifying bet has been settled. T&Cs apply. | |||
Ladbrokes | Bet £5 Get £20 | ||
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply | |||
Betfred | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + 60 Free Spins | ||
18+.New UK & NI customers only. promo code ‘SPORTS60’. Deposit & place first sports bet of £10+ in one bet transaction, at odds of Evens (2.0) +. settled within 60 days. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets credited within 48 hours of bet settlement, 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS validation may be required. Max 60 Free Spins on Justice League Comics. 7-day expiry Full T&Cs apply | |||
- Top 7 Sites to bet on Horse Racing: Current Offers and Bonuses
- Beginner’s Guide to Horse Betting
- Different Horse Racing Bets – Types of Wagers
- Horse Racing Odds Explained
- How to bet Successfully on Horse Racing – Strategies and Tips
- Handicapping Horses – How to Know which Horse to bet on
- Horse Racing Live Streaming
- How We Selected our Bookmaker for Horse Racing Betting
- Major Horse Racing Events
Beginner’s Guide to Horse Betting
Betting on horse racing is popular in the UK and many other parts of the world. It is the main betting sport in betting offices. As a result, online punters can expect a high-quality service. There is horse racing in the UK 362 days each year, which highlights its popularity.
Racing takes place on the flat, over jumps and on artificial all-weather surfaces. Bookmakers offer odds on meetings from Britain and Ireland, in addition to overseas races such as the Melbourne Cup and Dubai World Cup.
There are ante-post and day of the race betting. Moreover, bookmakers create betting markets for every race in the UK and Ireland. Plus, they offer ante-post betting on the major upcoming races, such as at the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National.
This information is designed to help readers gain a better understanding of how to bet on horse racing and horse racing betting odds. Furthermore, we’ll share some useful horse racing betting tips to get you up and running.
Different Horse Racing Bets – Types of Wagers
Here is a description of the different types of bet that can be placed in horse racing betting. In brief, this glossary of bet terms is an important element of how to bet on horse racing.
Straight Wagers
Here is a selection of horse racing betting opportunities that are made up of straight wagers:
Win
A win bet is on the horse to finish first in a race.
Place
A place bet is on the horse to finish first or second in a race.
Show
A show bet is on the horse to finish first, second or third in a race.
However, in the UK an each-way bet is on the horse to win or finish in the places, which usually means second or third. Each-way bets are settled in line with industry place terms, but there might be extra places in horse racing betting on major races, such as the Grand National.
Across The Board
Across the board bets combine the win, place and show bets in one transaction.
Exotic Wagers
Here are the exotic wagers as part of the guide to how to bet on horse racing. These bets allow permutations and a number of selections in each race.
Exacta
A bet on two horses to finish first and second in a race in the correct order.
Quinella
A bet on two horses to finish first and second in a race in any order.
Trifecta
A bet on three horses to finish first, second and third in a race in the correct order.
Superfecta
A bet on four horses to finish first, second, third and fourth in a race in the correct order.
Horse Racing Odds Explained
Generally, horse racing betting markets in the UK are expressed in fractional odds. For example, a horse is priced 20/1 to win a race. Most each-way bets are settled at one fifth the odds so here are the calculations:
- £10 win at 20/1 returns £210.00
- £10 place at one fifth the odds (4/1) returns £50.00
- Total stake £20 returns £260.00 for a profit of £240.00
A £50.00 win bet at ‘evens’ returns £100 made up of the stake (£50.00) and profit (£50.00).
How to bet Successfully on Horse Racing – Strategies and Tips
Placing a bet on horse racing requires the bettor to consider a number of factors. Here are the main strategies for successful horse racing betting:
Research
Looking at the past form of all the horses in the race.
Timing
The time since each horse had a previous run.
Competition
The comparative form of the other horses.
Type of Bet
The bet could be a win, each way or place only.
Odds
There should be some betting value in the odds.
Quantity of Bets
A bettor could back more than one horse in a race.
Handicapping Horses – How to Know which Horse to bet on
Subsequently, one of the most important parts of any guide covering how to bet on horses racing is the handicapping of each horse. Therefore, these are the most important factors which help to consider when composing your horse racing betting tips.
Behaviour in the Paddock
Bettors should observe if a horse looks relaxed or unsettled in the paddock before the race.
Past Performance
A horse’s past results are an important indicator of his/her ability.
Previous Class Levels
The class of race a horse has previously contested is a key handicapping factor.
Surface and Weather
The going and the amount of rain must be taken into account.
Jockeys
The jockey could be a professional or amateur.
In summary, all these elements should be considered when following the best practice to bet on horse racing.
Horse Racing Live Streaming
Many UK-facing online bookmakers offer live streaming of horse racing. A customer must have logged in, made a deposit and placed a bet to view the live stream of a race. The coverage begins as the horses are going down to start and ends just after they have crossed the finishing line.
Live streaming of horse racing combines pictures, commentary and the betting and Starting Prices (SPs). Furthermore, the Tote dividends are announced after each race.
How We Selected our Bookmaker for Horse Racing Betting
Here are the most important criteria for selecting a top bookmaker to bet on horse racing:
- Value in the odds
- Range of meetings in the UK and Ireland and overseas
- Selection of betting markets: single and exotic wagers
- Welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions
- Live streaming of horse racing
- Fast payouts on your winnings
Major Horse Racing Events
Here are the major horse racing events in the UK across the three types of racing, including the month in which they take place:
Flat Racing
The English Classics are the pinnacle of the flat season. However, Ascot and Goodwood are very prestigious, too.
- 1,000 Guineas – May
- 2,000 Guineas – May
- Derby – June
- Oaks- June
- Royal Ascot – June
- Glorious Goodwood – July
- St Leger – September
Jumps Racing
Above all, Cheltenham is the goal of all jump horses, but winning the National is also a high priority for most.
- Cheltenham Festival – March
- Grand National – April
- Ladbrokes Trophy – November
- King George V1 Gold Cup – December
All-Weather Racing
All-weather doesn’t have the history of turf racing, but these are the two big races worthy of attention.
- Winter Derby – February
- All-Weather Championships Finals – April
A complete guide about the Horse racing betting is available on horse-bettors.com