Best Horse Racings Betting Sites
Horse Racing Betting
Since time immemorial, people have indulged in the sport of horse racing. It’s a sport that appeals to many of our most basic senses, providing the thrill of speed, of the chase, and of victory. It’s not surprising, therefore, that betting on the outcomes started early on.
Today, the mechanized world means that horses are no longer the fastest way to get around, but the thrill of the sport remains steadfast. This is true around the world, to the extent that horse racing and gambling are inextricably linked in the minds of most people.
Top Online Bookmakers for Horse Racing Betting
The best bookies out there are likely to be the ones with great market choice. The most trusted betting websites are the sort of sportsbooks that will have a wide selection of markets and competitive odds.
The licensed online bookmakers that you’re looking for will offer standard events and betting markets, but also something extra here and there. For example, bonus odds on special races or maybe a unique betting option.
Steer well away from the cowboy traders and fly-by-night operators, ensuring that you trust only verified bookmakers with your cash. Sites like Betway hold all the relevant licenses and are regulated in terms of the law.
Betfred
Betfred is the ideal bookie if you are searching for the best UK and Ireland horse racing events. The bookie offers all UK and Ireland meetings for punting and allows you to access offers on select horse racing events.
- Pros
- Allows horse racing live betting.
- Provides horse racing enhanced odds.
- Offers exemplary horse racing statistics.
- Provides horse racing cash-out services on select bets.
- Cons
- Has poor coverage of domestic horse racing markets.
William Hill
The brand William Hill is the most recommended site if you wish to place different horse racing bets. It covers all top horse racing events, including the Dubai World Cup.
- Pros
- Offers every tote horse racing bet.
- Provides horse racing Outrights.
- Has extras on different markets.
- Allows horse racing live streaming.
- Cons
- Lacks significant horse racing bonuses.
Quinnbet
Horse racing is not a new betting activity at Quinnbet bookmakers. The operator is a popular horse racing site with amazing horse racing betting tips.
- Pros
- Extensive horse racing markets.
- Has a bet builder tool for horse racing bettors.
- Accepts live betting.
- Provides access to live results.
- Cons
- Live odds are rather unsatisfactory.
Boylesports
Boylesports is one of the few bookies with daily updated horse racing events. Furthermore, the site has a bet builder for placing accumulator bets.
- Pros
- Covers all major horse racing meetings.
- Allows live betting.
- Accepts placepot bets.
- Grants horse racing punters with live streams of select events.
- Cons
- Few domestic horse racing events.
Bet365
The company Bet365 makes horse racing effortless. That is because, in addition to horse racing features, the bookie is easy to operate.
- Pros
- Guarantees generous fixed odds.
- Supports live betting.
- Offers horse racing betting tips.
- Full range of horse racing fixtures.
- Cons
- Live streaming requires funds in the account.
Most Popular Betting Markets
Here, we’ve gathered together some of the betting markets that are most popular among bettors. These can be found on most of the best online horse racing betting sites. You can read our horse racing betting guide for more detailed info and further tips.
- Race winner
It just wouldn’t be horse racing gambling without this market. It’s the most basic bet of them all, really. You pick a horse for the win, and if it does, your bet does too. If your horse doesn’t win, your wager loses. - Place only
When the top horse racing betting sites talk about placing, it typically refers to the top three positions in the results. A place-only bet is based on the bookie’s given odds on a horse to finish in the top three places. - Each way – win and place
The best horse racing betting sites offer this two-way option, which combines the two above markets. Your stake is split between the win and the place, meaning that you still see returns if your winner pick comes in second or third. - Tote betting
When making a tote bet, you’re wagering against other bettors. The odds are not decided beforehand but are assessed afterwards as a percentage of the pooled bets, with individual winnings being dependent on the initial amount staked. So, it’s quite possible to gain a substantial advantage by going down the tote route. This very much depends on what kind of odds are being offered by bookies, as well as the sort of winnings pool on offer through the tote. - Forecast
The straight forecast bet is based on the first and second finishing positions. Most horse racing betting websites will give their odds on which horse will place first and which second. - Tricast
The tricast is similar to the forecast but a little tougher to pick. It’s based on the specific finishing order of the first three places for the race. It’s the kind of market that can give really great odds, especially with more horses running. - Swinger
To place a swinger bet, you have to identify two horses that you think will place within the top three. The particular order of their placing doesn’t matter, provided that both of your picks are either first, second, or third. - Reverse Forecast/Tricast
The reverse doesn’t quite reverse the way a forecast or tricast works, but rather it softens the bet a little. Your picks can place either first or second for the forecast. Or in the case of the tricast, your three picks must place first, second, or third in any order. This means that the bet is less rigid than either the forecast or the tricast. More wiggle-room does equate to shorter odds, however, and shorter winnings too. It’s a very ordinary tradeoff in the betting world, generally. - Placepot betting
Placepots are another tote option, meaning that the winnings are pooled and divided. The placepot allows you to pick winners across multiple races, with variations on the outright win, top two, and top three selections. - Tote jackpot
This jackpot is a tote bet on the winners of the first six races of the day, with winnings all pooled and divided according to your initial wager amount. You make at least one pick per race, although you can pick as many as you like. - Quadpot
A little like the placepot, the quadpot is a selection across four races. Once again, the winnings are determined according to the tote structure, and odds are not determined by any bookie. - Antepost
Ante-post betting is a bit like futures trading in stocks. You place your wager well in advance of the race in the hopes that your odds are better than they will be by the time the race is due to start. Similar to futures trading. However, you might easily find that the odds are worse. Playing in advance is always going to be a risk/reward calculation that must be made by the player. If you win, it could very well be a big reward.
Why Bet on Horse Racing?
If you’re likely to only take away one or two points from this review, we thought it might be helpful to provide them ready-made and bulleted.
- Pros:
- It’s an ancient and noble sport
- Short race times make for multiple events daily
- Huge range of market options
- Year-round events mean more action
- There’s a lot to learn for the curious
- Cons:
- Some bettors prefer team sports
- All the rules and regs can be hard at first
Important Factors to Consider
Betting is often about a feel or a sense about a pick, but stats are objective. Studying up the basic facts around a horse or a certain track can only improve your understanding of the upcoming meet. There’s no sense in ignoring evidence.
Every different race meet creates its own excitement and is followed by all the gossip. You have to filter through the hints and tips to figure out what’s good advice. Learning from the news surrounding the races is a big bonus to the bettor.
Since races are run outdoors, weather can have a tremendous effect on the running. A track that normally has fair to good going can be made heavy and slow by even a little rain. It’s a big thing to keep a lookout for.
Any horse, on its day, can win any race. That’s the beauty of it. The thing about the outsider is that you can find some seriously long odds, and those long odds give some great payouts. It’s well worth having an open mind with these types of horses.
As with any sport, there’s no substitute for following the events. It lets you get a feel for how things are going for particular horses and brings you into the mix in a way that isn’t possible otherwise. Also, the races are good fun, even without a wager.
The live bet, sometimes called in-play betting, is a wonderful feature across many different sports and is also available for some horse races. It allows for bettors to basically do two things: soften the losses on incorrect initial bets or bolster winnings on correct bets.
If your pick begins to lose during play in a sport, you can soften this by betting against your previous bet. Conversely, if you place a tentative wager which you see is coming up well, you can add to it.
With horses, there’s one major difference. While many sports events last an hour or more, the horses finish up within minutes. So, while there are indeed in-play options on horse racing betting sites, the thing is much more frenetic in character.
Again because of the shortened time constraints, the offerings for live betting on horses will not cover many markets. You’ll find a smaller sampling in this regard, and you really have to keep your wits about you when betting live on your horse racing betting app.
Our thoughts
Horse racing and wagering have gone together for so long now that they’re nearly synonymous. The sport of kings is available to everyone nowadays, and the sport is so popular that it’s a cultural feature of many countries.
The internet has redoubled this effect, with new bettors discovering the ancient pastime each and every day. Horse racing betting sites have taken advantage of existing markets, as well as providing interesting elements of their own.
With races running throughout the year, the horses are a real option for bettors looking to broaden their interests. There’s a great deal to learn from the history and development of the sport.
So, if you’re keen to bring a little of the weight and nobility of history into your betting pastime, the natural avenue would be to take a look at the ponies. Given the breadth of choice out there, it isn’t hard to find the right horse racing betting sites.
FAQ
How to bet on horse racing online?
Horse racing betting sites are plentiful, so you shouldn’t have any trouble there. In fact, you may find that your current favourite bookie runs a few markets too.
What is the best way to bet on horse racing?
There are a million ways to go about betting, with each player adopting their own tactics. In the end, you pick your market odds, and then it’s in the lap of the gods.
How to find the best bookmakers for horse racing betting?
A critical part of being able to trust your bookie is licensure and regulation. You should look out for sites that aren’t legitimate by checking on these before you play.
How do I keep on top of all the figures during a meet?
What can be really helpful is keeping an eye on your numbers using a horse racing bet calculator. It lets you see everything at a glance, and many sites have a version.
Is tote betting better than other betting types?
With the tote, you’re betting in a pool rather than through fixed odds. Sometimes it’s advantageous, but at other times you might do better through the book. It depends.
