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Back a winner with the best horse racing bookmakers in the UK ahead of Royal Ascot – top odds, standout offers, and trusted sites for 2025

Nick Albert Profile Image
Written by Nick Albert
Betting Site Expert
Fact checked by Del Pugh
Betting Offers Expert
Last Updated Dec 23, 2025

Horse Racing Betting Sites: Top 3

BetUK 🥇

Screenshots of Bet UK horse racing race card and ante post markets on android smartphones

If you like placing your racing bets on mobile, you can't do much better than BetUK.

This is a bookie that places on-the-go punters front and centre - the UX is excellent.

Live streaming of UK & Irish racing is free to view for everyone who has an account and, with the generous sign up offer currently available, there's no time like the present to sign up if you haven't already.

Bet UK: Read more & claim sign up offer

Parimatch 🥈

Screenshot of parimatch horse racing card and specials markets on android smartphones

A top new bookie with iOS and Android apps, good daily specials, a racing acca bonus, and other decent promotions plus a free bet welcome offer - what's not to like?

Parimatch is a racing live streaming paradise, with action direct from UK & Ireland as well as international venues like France, South Africa, USA, and Brazil all pumped directly to your device of choice.

Parimatch: Read more & claim sign up offer

Tote 🥉

Untitled design 12

Tote stands on its own by offering two products on one single platform. Their unique pool betting format, coupled with a strong sportsbook, makes them strong players in the horse racing betting scene.

Their standout promotion - Tote Guarantee - ensures win bets always pay SP (Starting Price) or better and they have a slick, mobily-friendly platform that makes using Tote one of the most exciting horse racing betting experiences around!

Tote: Read more & claim sign up offer

We Compare the Best Bookies For Horse Racing Betting

Most bookies wouldn’t even be around today if it wasn’t for horse racing. It has been the bread-and-butter of UK bookmakers even before betting shops were legalised in 1960.

With so many betting sites having various betting offers, features and perks for racing punters, it can be difficult to determine which to use.

That’s why here at My Betting Sites we have put together this guide which details all of the things you need to look out for, as well as all the best sign up offers plus promotions for existing customers.

New Horse Racing Betting Sites

The UK online betting scene is extremely competitive, and that makes it difficult for new entrants to gain a foothold in the market. Many new online bookies choose to focus on other major draws such as football, but the following recently launched sites have ensured that their horse racing offering also stands up to scrutiny:

Bet UK Logo new square

BetUK Horse racing betting

Sports Bonus ⚽ Bet £10 Get £30

Not strictly a new site (it launched in 2018), but BetUK has recently given its horse racing offering a complete makeover. The shiny new mobile-optimised BetUK horse racing product features UK, Irish & International racing plus live streaming on selected fixtures.

Claim £30 offer Go to BetUK Review →
New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.
500x500 Parimatch Cross Icon Square

Parimatch Horse racing betting

Sports Bonus ⚽ Bet £10 Get £30

Parimatch is an established name in the CIS region that recently launched in the UK on the BetVictor platform. Regular promotions like boosted odds on jockey and trainer doubles and live streaming are key draws for horse racing punters.

Claim £30 offer Go to Parimatch Review →
18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+) within 7 days. No cash-out. Get 4x£5 Free Bets for set markets and a £10 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, to withdraw max £250. Rewards expire in 20 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
18+ | begambleaware | Please Gamble Responsibly | Commercial Content | T&Cs Apply
List of New Horse Racing Bookies
Bonus
#1
Bet £10 Get £10
Review
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Available to new customers only signing up with Promo Code STARSPORTS10. Qualifying bet of £10 or more must be placed at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater. Single bets only. Applies to first bet placed. Free £10 bet will be credited within 24hrs and expires in 7 days. Valid from 01/07/2025 to 31/08/2025. Full T&Cs Apply.
#2
Up to £100 Winnings Boost on your First Acca
Review
Claim
Applies to new UK/IRE customers who sign up with promo code AKACCA100. Place your first bet as a multiple (minimum 3 selections) and AK Bets will boost the profit gained on that initial bet by 25% in the form of a Free Bet up to a value of £100. 18+ | GambleAware.org"
#3
Sports Bonus ⚽
Bet £10 Get £40
Review
Claim
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at Evens (1/1) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports & non-UK/IE horse racing. EW bets min £20. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.
#4
Sports Bonus ⚽
Bet £10 Get £30
Review
Claim
18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile or app and bet £10 on any sports market (odds of 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get 3x£10 Free Bets on selected sports markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
#5
Get up to 200 bonus spins
Review
Claim
18+. New players only. Offer is valid over the first 3 deposits. 50 spins on Book of Dead upon first deposit of min £10. 50 spins on Starburst upon second deposit of min £20. 100 spins on Fire Joker upon third deposit of min £20. Spin winnings are separate to cash funds and subject to 35x wagering requirement (bonus + deposit). Only bonus funds count towards wagering contribution. Winnings from Bonus Spins are credited as Bonus funds and capped at £100. Spins must be used within 24 hours, bonus funds within 30 days. Max bonus bet £5. Affordability checks apply. Full terms in footer below. BeGambleAware.org.
#6
No Bonus Available
Review
Claim

Horse Racing Bookmakers - Key Features

In general, the same important factors apply to horse racing betting as they do any other sport. The household names among UK betting sites have pretty much got it sussed when it comes to offering all of the best features that punters want.

A handful of top bookmakers have pulled away from the rest of the pack.

There are various important factors to consider, and while one bettor’s preferences will differ slightly from the next, the criteria on this page should be the starting point.

Horse Racing Odds

Undoubtedly the biggest question when it comes to any form of online betting: “Where can I get the best odds?”

When it comes to horse racing, there isn’t really a straight answer. In fact, on the day of the race and especially by the time the race starts, you won’t find much disparity between prices across all the sportsbooks.

Sure, you might often find that a favourite might be 4/5 with one betting site and 10/11 on another, and with outsiders you might find a bigger gap, say 14/1 vs 18/1, but in general, payout percentages are very similar across the board.

The one exception is the Betfair Exchange, where you bet against other punters rather than the bookmaker. As it is users setting the odds, you often get a better price than the bookie is willing to give. The downside is you don’t get Best Odds Guaranteed on the Betfair Exchange.

Betfair exchange app horses in running

You can back and lay against other horse racing punters on the Betfair Exchange, and there's live streaming to support in-running bets.

Live Streaming

To be a complete horse racing betting site, you really need to offer live streaming on UK & Irish races as well as international meetings.

One of the reasons why land-based betting shops still have a place in modern-day wagering is because you can watch the races in there. But with betting sites with live streaming, you have everything you need at your fingertips.

Most of the top betting sites in the UK provide live streams of race.

Some sites require the user to have placed a small stake on each individual race in order to watch.

Betting In Running

Betting in running on horse racing has become more popular as an increasing number of online bookies offer live streams of races.

In running is essentially the horse racing equivalent of betting in-play (for example on football or tennis).

Betting in running presents some amazing opportunities to grab value, especially if you’ve done your research and know that the horse in the lead tends to fade or a nag at the back of the group always finishes well.

One key thing to remember is that the ‘live’ stream provided by the bookies is actually on a short delay. It’s still almost always closer to live than watching the race on satellite TV, but make sure to keep your eye on the live prices as they often give a quicker indication of events than the live pictures.

Ryan (My Betting Sites reviewer)

Betfinder tools

Some of the top sites like 888sport, BetVictor and Betfred provide online punters with a great Betfinder tool to make it easy to pick out the best racing bets.

Using data from top industry providers like Racing Post and Timeform, these tools allow you to filter and sort between different picks based on various categories including:

  • Trainer/jockey form
  • Horse rating
  • Odds
  • Course
  • Race distance
  • Last race result (for example, ‘beaten fav last race’)
  • Most Napped (tipped)
What Does Overround Mean In Horse Racing?

Anyone who has set foot into a casino has probably heard the warning: "The house always wins." Well, the same principle applies to horse racing betting.

How do we know this? Well that's where the overround comes in - it shows exactly how bookmakers build in their edge and why beating the bookies is never as easy as it seems.

To calculate the overround, you first need to convert the odds to implied probability and add them all together. The combined figure should add up to more than 100% - anything above 100% is where the bookmaker makes their profit.

For a full breakdown on what the overround is in horse racing and how to fully understand it, we have a dedicated article on the topic here.

Deep Dive Into Virtual Horse Racing Betting Sites

What Is Virtual Horse Racing? 📺

The digital age of sports betting has advanced rapidly in recent years, with virtual horse racing becoming one of the most popular innovations in the industry.

While it shares similarities with traditional horse racing — such as pre-race betting and live action — virtual racing is a computer-simulated version that runs 24/7, with races every few minutes.

Each race features a line-up of digital horses with odds based on statistical algorithms rather than real-world form, offering a fast-paced, visually immersive experience without the unpredictability of weather or late withdrawals.

Live Virtual Horse Racing on William Hill

William Hill offers one of the best platforms for virtual horse racing

How Does Virtual Horse Racing Work?

🏇 Computer-Generated Races

All races are digitally created using animation and software, simulating realistic horse racing events.

🎲 Random Number Generator (RNG):

Outcomes are determined by RNG software to ensure fairness and unpredictability.

⏱ Frequent Races:

New races run every few minutes, 24/7 — no waiting for scheduled times.

💡 Fixed Odds:

Each horse has fixed odds, usually based on a probability model rather than real-life form.

📺 Instant Results:

Races are short and fast-paced, with immediate results and payouts.

📱 Available Anywhere:

Accessible on desktop and mobile betting platforms, with seamless user experience.

🎮 No Human Influence:

No jockeys, weather, or track conditions — it's pure statistical simulation.

🏆 Wide Range of Bets:

Includes common markets like win, place, forecast, and tricast.

Top Sites for Virtual Horse Racing

There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a platform for virtual horse racing, but here are MyBettingSites.com's top three picks 👇.

1
Sky Bet

Sky Bet combines sleek design with fast, regular race options, making it one of the most user-friendly platforms for virtual horse racing. Whether you're a casual bettor or a seasoned punter, the smooth layout and intuitive controls make betting quick and enjoyable.

  • 🎮 Sleek Virtual Interface – Crisp graphics and smooth transitions mimic live racing excitement.
  • ⏱️ Regular Races – New virtual races available every few minutes, keeping the action nonstop.
  • 🧠 Smart Navigation – Easy access to all race markets and clear race previews.
  • 📱 Top-Class Mobile App – Bet on virtual races seamlessly on the go.

Try Sky Bet's Virtual Horse Racing Platform

2
William Hill

As one of the most trusted names in betting, William Hill delivers a premium virtual racing experience. From multiple virtual tracks to realistic race commentary, it's the go-to choice for bettors looking for depth and variety.

  • 🐎 Multiple Virtual Tracks – Choose from UK-style turf races or international-style dirt tracks.
  • 🎥 Live Commentary & Realism – Professional-style race calls add to the immersive experience.
  • 💥 Fast-Paced Betting Options – Place single or multiple bets with quick result turnarounds.
  • 🔁 Round-the-Clock Action – Virtuals run 24/7 with new markets popping up constantly.

Try William Hill's Virtual Horse Racing Platform

3
Betfred

Betfred stands out for its generous virtual racing offers and authentic race-day feel. With unique price boosts and an easy-to-use interface, it’s a top pick for punters looking to add more value to their virtual racing bets.

  • 🎁 Virtual Racing Offers – Regular bonuses and price boosts specifically for virtual bettors.
  • 🏇 Detailed Virtual Form Guides – Mimics real racing form to help guide selections.
  • 🔊 Authentic Sound Effects – Crowd noise and commentary simulate race day atmosphere.
  • 📊 Easy Odds View – Quickly toggle between fractional and decimal odds.

Try Betfred's Virtual Horse Racing Platform

Virtual Horse Racing Betting Strategies

VIRTUAL HORSE RACING BETTING TIPS AND TRICKS

Due to the speed and regularity of virtual horse racing, it's imperative to give yourself all the necessary tools before placing a single bet on a race.

Here are five essential tips when betting on virtual horse racing in the UK.

Start Small and Build 📈

Virtual races are fast and unpredictable. Begin with small bets to get a feel for the game before increasing your stakes. Patience is key to long-term success.

Track Patterns in Odds 📊

Watch for consistent patterns in the odds. While virtual races are random, some horses tend to perform better consistently, giving you an edge on future bets.

Place Multiple Bets ✖️

Diversify your bets across several races to increase your chances of winning. The more opportunities you have, the better your chances of hitting a winner.

Don't Chase Losses ❌

As with all betting, it’s important not to chase your losses. Virtual races can be enticing due to their fast nature, but placing rash bets to recover previous losses is a surefire way to go over budget.

Explore Different Virtual Races 🐎

Most sites offer different types of virtual races (e.g., flat racing, hurdle racing, etc.). Try them all to find which ones you feel most comfortable betting on, as certain types might suit your strategy better.

    Horse Racing Betting Offers

    Horse racing is one of the most bet on sports in the UK and every bookie wants a slice of that pie. There’s lots of choice for punters, which is great in the sense that it forces bookmakers to try and outdo each other by offering attractive offers and promotions on racing bets. A couple of the most popular horse racing betting promotions are explored below:

    Horse Racing Best Odds Guaranteed

    This is where online betting sites really provide value compared with land-based shops. Best Odds Guaranteed is offered by many leading UK bookmakers on the day of the race with all British and Irish racing.

    Best Odds Guaranteed eliminates the risk of placing a bet only to see your horse’s price drift and you end up wishing you took the bigger price.

    Instead, if you back a horse at a certain price and it starts the race with longer odds, you will be paid out at those bigger odds. On the flip side, if the price shortens after you back the horse, you get to keep those original better odds.

    There may be time restrictions on these promotions, such as Best Odds Guaranteed only applying to bets placed after 9am on race day, so it is always worth checking the T&Cs. Here's a nifty table to help you out:

    ⏰ From 08:00 on day of the race:

    • Betfair
    • Bet365
    • BoyleSports
    • Coral
    • Ladbrokes
    • Betfred
    • Bwin
    • Paddy Power
    • Unibet
    • William Hill

    ⏰ From 09:00:

    • Betway
    • BetVictor
    • Parimatch
    • talkSPORT BET

    ⏰ From 10:00 onwards:

    • Virgin Bet
    • LiveScore Bet
    • The Pools
    18+ | begambleaware | Please Gamble Responsibly | Commercial Content | T&Cs Apply
    Top Betting Sites with Best Odds Guaranteed
    Bonus
    #1
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £10 Get £50 In Free Bets
    Review
    Claim
    New customers only. Register, deposit with 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 exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
    #2
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Get £30 in Free Bets when you place any bet
    Review
    Claim
    New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
    #3
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £10 Get £30
    Review
    Claim
    Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. #Ad
    #4
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    £30 Matched Free Bet
    + 100 Free Spins
    Review
    Claim
    *New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full terms apply.
    #5
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £10 Get £30
    Review
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    18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply.
    #6
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £10 Get £30
    Review
    Claim
    *New members only. Any new account registration or bets settled on 5 April 2025 are not eligible for this Welcome Offer. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+
    #7
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £10 Get £30
    + £10 Casino bonus and more
    Review
    Claim
    18+ New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply. 18+. Applies to bets placed on match betting ahead of kick off. Get paid out as a winner if your team goes 2 goals ahead even if they win, lose or draw. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. Max €/£50k on losing selection. Account & payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
    #8
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £5 Get £25
    Review
    Claim
    18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 5x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
    #9
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £5 Get £20
    Review
    Claim
    18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & bet £5+ at min odds 1/2 on sports within 14 days of account reg & get 4 x £5 free bets. (selected sports market only.valid 7 days),Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
    #10
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses
    Review
    Claim
    Sig Terms: 18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet on sportsbook at min odds 1/1 (2.0) each leg. Receive 2 x £10 free bets within 24 hours of bet settlement, and further 2 x £10 casino bonus the next day.T&C’s apply.
    #11
    Bet £50 Get £25 in Free Bets
    + 10 Free Spins
    Review
    Claim
    New customers only, 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at 2.0+ to qualify for £25 in free bets and 10 Free Spins. Free Bets and Spins valid 7 days. £0.10 Free Spins. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org.
    #12
    Sports Bonus ⚽
    Bet £10 Get £30
    Review
    Claim
    18+ New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+) within 7 days. No cash-out. Get 4x£5 Free Bets for set markets and a £10 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, to withdraw max £250. Rewards expire in 20 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
    #13
    100% up to £100 Casino Bonus
    + Football Acca Boost up to 50%
    Review
    Claim
    New UK players only | Max bonus £100 | Min deposit £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 45x | Maximum bet while paying with bonus is £5 | Eligibility restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill, Neteller deposits excluded | Full T&Cs apply.

    Extra Places 

    A horse is typically said to have ‘placed’ if it finishes 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a race. The number of place positions depends on the race, for example a place bet may only pay out on horses finishing 1st or 2nd if there aren’t that many runners.

    Many bookies offer extra places promotions on selected races throughout the day. This means that they’ll pay out place bets wagered on horses that finish 1 or more positions outside the standard place positions for that race.

    Paddy Power Extra Places 

    Paddy Power is one of the top UK online bookies for horse racing. In addition to best price guaranteed on all UK and Irish racing, odds boosts and other fun promos, Paddy Power regularly pays out on extra places. Check the Paddy Power website to see which of the day’s races have been selected.

    Free bets

    Free bet offers are a staple of most horse racing bettings sites’ customer attraction and retention tactics.

    These offers generally require either a deposit or a qualifying bet to be placed in order to access them.

    There are plenty of different opportunities to grab free bets to use on racing, including welcome offers, loyalty clubs, and free bet if 2nd:

    We like BetVictor, Betfred and Betway for free horse racing bets.

    Enhanced odds

    Enhanced odds offers for horse racing are available at all the top online bookies.

    Sometimes, they’re called something different (for example, Paddy Power refers to them as ‘Power Prices’) but they are essentially the same across all sites - you’re being offered a special price that’s often excellent value compared to what you can find elsewhere.

    Enhanced odds are offered on a range of different racing markets - such as each way (Bet365) and specials (Paddy Power).

    Keep an eye out for these enhanced odds offers - we think they are some of the most useful horse racing offers for existing customers.

    Double result & First past the post

    Double result and first past the post are essentially two variations of the same horse racing betting offer.

    With double result, the bookie is saying that if you back a horse which isn’t first past the post but is subsequently promoted to first place following a Stewards Enquiry (which happens when there is a suspected breach in the race rules), your bet will get paid out as a winner.

    With first past the post, it’s the other way round - if your horse finishes first but is subsequently demoted following a Stewards enquiry, your bet will still get paid out as a winner.

    Money back

    Money back offers are a great little insurance for your bet if, for example, your horse is a total let down, just misses out to the favourite, or if you back a long shot which loses in a feature race.

    Some bookies will give you money back in the form of a free bet but the best money back offers will refund your stake in cash.

    Examples of money back offers include:

    • BetVictor - Run for your money
    • Bet365 - 4/1 ITV offer (T&C apply)
    • Bet365 - Feature Race 4/1 offer
    • Boylesports - Money back if 2nd to fav
    • Kwiff - Money back if 2nd to fav

    Grand National Betting Offers

    The Grand National is perhaps the most well-known UK horse racing fixture of the year.

    From seasoned punters to fresh first-timers, the Grand National seems to attract interest from all corners.

    Given the huge appeal of this race, it is of course an important time for online bookies. This means that they are often falling over each other to offer the best betting offers on the Grand National, some of which will be much more attractive than their typical horse racing promotions.

    Keep your eye out for free bets and other special promotions in the run-up to the race.

    Cheltenham Betting Offers

    Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the jump racing season. The event attracts upwards of 65,000 spectators on each of the four days of competition.

    It also attracts plenty of punters, so UK online bookies are generous in the run up to the Festival and while the event is ongoing in their attempts to attract new customers. That means it can be an excellent time to snap up free bets, deposit bonuses, and many more betting offers and promotions. Check out our dedicated Cheltenham Betting Offers page for more info.

    Tote Betting

    Tote betting is a popular alternative to fixed odds betting.

    Rather than the bookie offering you odds, your stake goes into a prize pool which is shared between all winning bets (or ‘tickets’).

    Up until 2011 a state-owned bookmaker, The Tote, was the only place offering parimutual (tote/pools) betting in the UK. The government sold The Tote in 2011 and numerous competitors now offer pool bets on racing.

    There are numerous different types of racing pools bet, including:

    • Win - select one horse from the field to win
    • Place - select one horse from the field to place
    • Each-way - combine win and place in a single bet
    • Exacta - pick the horses finishing first and second (in the right order)
    • Trifecta - pick the horses finishing first, second and third (in the right order)
    • Quadpot - pick a horse to place in races 3, 4, 5 and 6 in that meeting’s card
    • Placepot - pick a horse to place in the first 6 races of the meeting’s card
    • Jackpot - pick the winning horse from 6 selected races

    In addition to the now privately owned and rebranded Tote, several top bookies offer some or all of the above racing pools products on their online platforms:

    Tote Bookmakers

    • Betfair - Win/place, Exacta, Trifecta
    • Betfred - Placepot, Jackpot, Quadpot, Win/place, Exacta, Trifecta
    • William Hill - Win/place, Exacta, Trifecta, Swinger, Quadpot, Placepot

    Best Horse Racing Betting App

    Ladbrokes horse racing app

    Ladbrokes' mobile app is one of the better options for horse racing betting.

    The majority of UK punters place bets using a mobile device these days, so it's absolutely no good for a top-tier bookie not to cater for this huge - and growing - segment of customers by providing a dedicated mobile app. The My Betting Sites Team considers the following bookies to have the best apps for betting on horse racing:

    • Ladbrokes - price boosts and other promos
    • Betfair - undisputed best exchange app
    • Casumo - high quality app from a new bookie
    • BetVictor - BetFinder is a great tool
    • Bet365 - world’s biggest bookie

    Types of Horse Racing Bet

    Offering win, each way and place markets is one thing, but lots of people want bookmakers that go the extra mile and offer a wide variety of other bets such as match bets between two horses, betting without the favourite, and a horse to win by a certain number of lengths.

    Forecasts and tricasts are a feature on all top betting sites, allowing users to get big odds.

    You should also be able to find specials and request a bet markets that combine a number of races within one meeting or several meetings throughout a racing day.

    Some new bookmakers don’t always offer such an array of markets, whereas the more experienced, classic British bookies tend to have a top-notch selection.

    You can find a quick summary of the most popular horse racing bets below:

    Ante-post Betting

    More experienced horse racing bettors prefer to use betting sites that list odds on future races at least a day in advance.

    Punters generally look out for markets on future races if they think they have an edge and a horse might be priced higher than it will eventually go off at.

    It is expected of betting sites that they have odds for big races such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National, but even on a daily basis, bettors might be searching for markets on races set to place over the next few days.

    Taking an ante-post price on a betting site can be beneficial as you may get better value, but it comes with risks, as it may not be eligible for Non-Runner No Bet - a promotion that many bookmakers offer.

    Each Way Betting

    Two equal, separate bets on the same horse: One bet on it to win the race, one bet on it to place. This bet type provides a safety net in the sense that you still win money on the place bet if your selected horse narrowly misses out on the win.

    Forecast Betting

    Forecast bets are often available in horse racing and other types of racing events like Greyhounds. A forecast bet is a single bet in which you pick two selections that you think will finish in first place and second place (in that exact order).

    Betting Without Favourite

    Betting without the favourite is especially popular in races where the favourite is extremely short, thus making it less attractive to bet on as the payout is low. Instead you can bet on which horse will win the race if you exclude the result of the favourite. Betting without the favourite can make uncompetitive races more exciting.

    Horse racing betting sites FAQs

    Which is the best horse racing bookie?

    The top UK sites we recommend for horse racing betting are:

      Which UK bookies have horse racing live streaming?

      All of the best online sports betting sites in the UK for horse racing offer live streaming of UK & Irish racing at a minimum, with some also covering international fixtures. Aside from established bookies like Ladbrokes and Betfair, some newer sites also offer horse racing live streams, including Parimatch and LiveScore Bet.