Horse racing is a global phenomenon that has captivated bettors for centuries in the United Kingdom and worldwide. In this guide, we will focus on the best horse racing betting sites in the UK and explain the pros and cons of each one.

Run For Your Money

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  • Competitive odds on horse racing
  • Many ante-post horse racing meetings offered
  • Excellent welcome offer

Run For Your Money

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 1994
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Established in 1994

18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet on horse racing (odds 3.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get your stake returned up to £30 in Free Bets for set markets if your bet loses (odds 3.00+). Free bets expire in 7 days. Selected payments methods only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

Bet £10 Get £30

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  • Industry behemoth
  • Supreme sportsbook
  • Iconic website and app design

Bet £10 Get £30

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 2000
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Established in 2000

18+. 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 Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets

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  • Among the best UK/Ireland horse racing odds
  • Great customer support, including live chat
  • Attractive ThePuntersPage welcome offer!

Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 1946
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Established in 1946

18+ New Customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on Horse Racing, 1/1+ odds in 7 days, no cash out. Get £20 in Free Bets on set markets valid 7 days. Debit Card or Apple Pay payments only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

Bet £5 get £20

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+1
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  • Top-quality betting odds
  • Stunning livestreaming service
  • Lots of exciting promotions

Bet £5 get £20

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 1926
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Cryptocurrency
Established in 1926

18+ New UK+ ROI Customers only. Deposit & Bet min £5 as first bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1x £20 Free Bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excluded. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets

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  • One of the finest British bookies
  • Fantastic betting promotions
  • More than 50 sports available

Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 1886
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Established in 1886

18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x 5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

£10 Weekly ACCA Free Bet + 100 Free Spins

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  • Competitive and consistent odds
  • Myriad of sportsbook and casino promotions
  • Superb esports coverage

£10 Weekly ACCA Free Bet + 100 Free Spins

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 1923
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Established in 1923

18+ UK only. Sports: Place a minimum 2x £10 pre-match 4 leg acca cash bet where odds accumulate to 3.0 (2/1) or more and get a £10 bonus funds to use on multiples (3 or more selection, min odds per selection 1.5 (1/2)). Cashed Out, Asian Handicaps, Draw no Bet wagers or bets with void legs do not qualify for this promotion. Free Bet credited every Monday by 12pm. Maximum 1 free bet per customer per week available from this promotion. Casino: New players only. 1 welcome offer per customer. Deposit and Stake £10 on casino slots and receive 100 Free Spins on ‘Big Catch Bass Fishing’. Spin value is £0.10. No wagering on winnings. Free Spins 7 day expiry. Full T&C's apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

100% up to £50 Welcome Bonus

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  • Fantastic horse racing odds
  • International Horse Racing meetings offered
  • Great betting offers

100% up to £50 Welcome Bonus

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 2003
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Established in 2003

18+ New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

Bet £30 Get £30 in Free Bets on Horse Racing

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  • South Africa, Australia, & US races offered in additional to UK races
  • Offers horse racing exchange odds
  • Lots of banking methods

Bet £30 Get £30 in Free Bets on Horse Racing

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 2004
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Cryptocurrency
Established in 2004

18+ New Customers Only. Sign up using Bonus Code: HR30. Bet and settle £30 (2x £10 Horse Racing Back Bets, 1x £10 Horse racing Multiple) on Horse Racing only, each at odds of 2.0 or more and receive 3x £10 Horse Racing Free Bets once qualified. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

“2nd to a Rag” Insurance

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  • Horse racing spread betting service
  • Many additional sportsbook promotions
  • Great customer support

“2nd to a Rag” Insurance

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 1999
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Established in 1999

18+ If you back a horse that finishes second to a winner with an SP of 33/1 or greater, get your money back as a free bet up to £25 max. Please note – this applies to first fixed odds single winner bet on each race only. Subsequent bets on the same race will not qualify. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

Free Bet up to £10 if Your Horse Finishes 2nd

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  • Over 50 years of Tradition
  • Includes sports commentary
  • Live betting on many popular markets

Free Bet up to £10 if Your Horse Finishes 2nd

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Cryptocurrency
Established in 2011
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Cryptocurrency
Established in 2011

18+ Selection must finish 2nd in the selected race(s). Win singles & win part of e/w bets only. Free bets paid within 24 hours, max £10, removed after 7 days. 5+ runners must start the race. Free Bets available on Horse Racing only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad

The competition out there is truly fierce! With that in mind, below are the 10 distinctive features that make the best horse racing betting sites stand out:

horse racing infographic

Before delving into our list, it’s important to acknowledge the multitude of great horse racing betting sites out there, so omission from our selection doesn’t diminish the quality these bookies offer.

Without further ado, here are the top horse racing betting sites: 

1. Parimatch — Best for Competitive Odds

screenshot of parimatch horse racing betting odds
(Source: Parimatch)

Parimatch's competitive odds, extensive market selection, and easy-to-use interface make it an attractive option for wagering on horses. It is known for its dependability and prompt payouts, and also provides a safe and engaging gaming platform. Additionally, you can watch races in real time using their livestreaming option, which heightens the intrigue of the action.

Parimatch is currently offering new members up to £30 in free bets if their first bet loses. Within a week of creating an account, make a deposit of £10 or more and place a wager up to £30 on horse racing (odds 3.00+).

An offer for existing members includes being refunded on any losing bets on British and Irish races if a selected pony refuses or whips around at the beginning of the race, doesn’t come out, or loses “all chance” at the stalls.

Pros:
  • Great promos such as price boosts, free bets, and welcome offers
  • Best odds guaranteed promo
  • Excellent site design
  • Dozens of horse racing betting markets available
Cons:
  • Lack of payment options
  • Desktop app can be faulty

2. bet365 — Incredible Market Variety

screenshot of bet365 horse racing betting odds
(Source: bet365 – odds correct as at 10/09/2024, 10:22 GMT)

The revered platform, bet365, provides a global selection of races with terrific market variety, including a world-class bet builder and almost unbeatable odds. On top of all this, you'll also find that this betting juggernaut offers livestreaming on both the desktop site and on the app.

Its technical prowess is ideal for a sport like horse racing, and bet365 is generous when it comes to providing bonus incentives.

The operator is giving new customers £30 for a deposit match in free bets for horse racing. You need to deposit at least £5, and the qualifying bet must be placed on a horse with odds of 1.20 or greater. This must be done within 30 days of registering a new account.

Pros:
  • World-class bet builder
  • Covers British and international races
  • Great welcome offer
  • Plenty of horse racing promos
Cons:
  • Customer service could be better
  • Limited choice of horse racing betting promotions

3. BetVictor — Great for Bet Boosts

screenshot of betvictor horse racing betting odds
(Source: BetVictor)

BetVictor arguably deserves to be placed among the best horse racing bookmakers in almost every regard. The site offers an amazing selection of bet boosts, possibly the finest mobile experience of any on this list, daily racing specials, and five-star livestreaming.

It is a true jack of all trades when it comes to sheer betting variety — just check out the scale of their horse racing betting selection for proof. Whether it’s the finest pre-match odds or a creative array of ever-changing live odds, few can compete.

The platform's excellent design also means it’s easy to navigate.

BetVictor is offering first-time customers the chance to receive up to a £100 matched bet for any sport, including horse racing. After creating an account, opt in to the promotion and make a wager on any sport at odds of even (2.00) or greater.

Users have one week to place the qualifying wager. After placing it, your account will be credited with the free bet.

Pros:
  • Bet boosts
  • Livestreaming for most races
  • Great bonus offer
  • Daily racing specials
Cons:
  • Aesthetics won’t suit everyone
  • Some bet builders can be confusing for beginners

4. SpreadEx — Excellent Pre-Match Offering

screenshot of spreadex horse racing betting odds
(Source: Spreadex)

Undoubtedly, Spreadex has earned its place as one of the best horse racing betting sites in the UK, given that it’s among the premier spread betting sites in the world.

Despite there being a learning curve to an extent, a lot of effort is made in terms of balancing this depth with practicalities, such as round-the-clock live chat and a broad selection of easy-to-use payment methods.

Additionally, the pre-match offering is far from an afterthought. You can expect the market variety, statistical detail, and live coverage to be among the best in the industry.

Spreadex features a cashback promotional offer: if you stake £300 or above on qualifying sports spread betting markets in your first 28 days, you will be awarded either £300 cash or an iPad (10.2 inch WIFI 64GB, 9th generation).

The horse racing markets that qualify for this promotion include: Favourites, Starting Prices, Racing Post Favs, Spotlight Verdict, Multi-Mules, Squared Numbers (wagers are required to be made before the first race of a meet each day), 50-30-20-10 Index and 50-25-10 Index.

Pros:
  • 24/7 customer service
  • Excellent traditional and spread betting options
  • Great statistical depth
  • Great promos relevant to horse racing
Cons:
  • No loyalty programme
  • Less user-friendly than competitors

5. Coral — Extra Features

screenshot of coral horse racing betting odds
(Source: Coral)

Coral is probably the operator that springs to mind most often when asked about the best horse racing bookmakers. It is distinguished by the spectacular extras that take its sound fundamentals to the next level.

Some of these extras include the smooth live experience, as well as the great cash-out and bet builder features, alongside a huge selection of ongoing promotions and competitions.

New users at Coral can earn a £20 free bet by simply registering an account and placing a qualifying wager (first bet) of £5. The stake must be made within 14 days of signing up and on a bet with odds of 1.50 or higher.

Pros:
  • Great reputation
  • Excellent, innovative features
  • Truly global market selection
  • Competitions with cash prizes
Cons:
  • Live chat could be better
  • Conservative design is not for everyone

The top new horse racing betting sites in the UK offer unique features thanks to the advancement of technology. We’ll explain their intricacies below.

Enhanced User Experience (UX)

New horse racing websites make their product intuitive and efficient for users. This enables them to quickly sign up, easily find bet types, and navigate the site without problems.

Advanced Technology Integration

This allows users to multitask on the sportsbook, such as livestream an event and bet on it within the same window. It also lets customers select their “favourite” events or place a star next to a match they wish to view or place a wager on later.

Innovative Betting Options

While bookmakers used to offer more basic bet types for horse racing, technology has enabled them to offer innovative options such as bet builders. These allow bettors to make custom wagers by combining different horses from one race or multiple ones.

Personalisation and AI

Artificial intelligence creates personalised options for each unique bettor at sportsbooks. If a punter often bets on a certain sport, such as the NFL, bet types and promotions for football will be promoted.

Secure and Convenient Transactions

New horse racing sportsbooks prioritise safe and convenient transactions to safeguard customer data and offer a flawless betting experience. They use SSL (secure sockets layer) to encrypt data exchanged between your desktop or phone and the sportsbook, keeping it confidential.

Gamification Elements

These are used to increase engagement and bring back users. Tiered reward systems, loyalty points, monthly challenges, and leaderboard contests with prizes are among the most popular.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety

Regulatory compliance and safety are crucial in the horse racing sportsbook sector to guarantee fair play, protect customers, and preserve the integrity of the sport. Licensing from reputable gaming authorities, transparent odds, clearly defined rules, and responsible gaming resources are among the requirements.

Customer Support and Engagement

Reliable customer support that can provide knowledgeable answers is a must for many of the top new horse racing bookies. Being available through multiple avenues, such as live chat, email, or phone, as well as engaging on social media, improves trust.

The following steps showcase how to sign up for a sportsbook, using Parimatch as an example.

So, how do we rank and rate horse racing platforms? Here are the attributes we take into consideration:

  • Types of bets and sports: The more bet types and sporting markets the site offers, the more users it can cater to. It also enables players to find edges in specific markets.

  • User-friendliness: The easier it is to navigate, the less cumbersome it is to sign up and place bets. Users should be able to find markets quickly and place bets in a straightforward manner.

  • Welcome bonus and other offers: Welcome bonuses incentivise punters to use specific operators. Generally, the higher the welcome bonus is, the likelier they are to sign up for the site. Remember to check the playthrough for the promotion. Bonuses for regular bettors are also extremely important since they help potentially boost the bankroll.

  • Payment and withdrawal methods: A sportsbook should offer a wide range of payment and withdrawal methods. The timeliness also makes a huge difference in garnering a positive review.

  • Customer service: Bookmakers must have superb customer service to make our list of top websites. Customer representatives should be able to be reached via live chat, email, and phone. They are also expected to answer questions concisely.

  • Mobile experience: Betting on the go should be easy, smooth, and fast. Bookmakers with excellent mobile sites and apps usually make our top rankings if the other values align properly.

The following factors are basic but should be considered when attempting to bet on horses.

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Consider the Form

This is an extremely important stat to look for. If a horse has been in great form and has placed in recent or past races similar to the race at hand, it might be worth staking.

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Conditions

Certain horses perform better in different conditions. Researching their results in various conditions and comparing them to the track you’re betting at can improve results at the betting window.

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Weight

Make sure to do your homework on the weight of each horse and how it has run in the past at varying weights. If a horse is very overweight, the odds can dramatically shift, making it more difficult to win.

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Distance

The length of the race plays a huge role when selecting a winning horse; horses have different styles, and some are suited to certain lengths. Research to see which horses in the race you’re betting excel in shorter or longer distances. Look at the history of the horse and how it did over the length of the race you’re going to bet. Course conditions and distances also correlate and are important factors to consider.

There are various genres of promotions commonly utilised for betting on ponies. The popular ones are broken down below:

All Bookies
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1. Best Odds Guaranteed

This is something so common among the best horse racing bookmakers that it is now considered somewhat expected. However, that does not mean you should underestimate the importance of the Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) promotion.

Essentially, it means that you will get the best odds no matter when you place your bet. This makes a difference since odds fluctuate leading up to the moment the horse leaves the gate, resulting in not always getting the most valuable odds.

It’s important terms to review the terms and conditions applied to promos such as this one.

2. Free Bets

Very often, welcome bonuses on horse racing betting sites see your deposit matched with free bets. So, for instance, if you bet £100, you would get £100 in the form of a free bet.

The free bet offer must first be staked at your horse betting site and cannot be withdrawn, making it a free bet rather than a cash bonus. It will also come with its own terms and conditions, where you will usually find the wagering requirements. These state that you must bet the amount of your stake a certain amount of times before you can claim any winnings made with the free bet.

3. Enhanced Odds/Profit Boosts

Although these options are different, they have the same end result, which is that you end up with a higher amount of winnings than you would initially expect.

Enhanced odds may be for a market selected by the bookmaker or by you, but the result is that your odds are changed to be more generous, so you get a higher payout if you win. Profit Boosts, on the other hand, add a percentage to your winnings.

Occasionally, horse racing betting sites offer double or even triple odds, but this is rare. The terms for this promotion are often very reasonable.

4. Enhanced Place Promotions

If you like to bet on each-way markets, enhanced place promotions can increase the place terms so there are more opportunities for you to win. For instance, if your bet's success rests on your horse placing in the first to the third positions, that can be enhanced to the first to fourth positions, giving you more chances to end up with a potentially successful wager.

5. Risk-Free Bets

This is another example that is often seen as a welcome bonus. The way it works is simple: place your bet within the given terms, and if it loses, you will receive some or all of your stake back. In other words, it’s risk-free because you get your initial wager returned whether you win or lose depending on the terms and conditions.

6. Rewards For Racing

While it is not technically a betting offer, Rewards For Racing is a website where you can collect points when making purchases, including placing bets on some bookies. These points can be redeemed for race day tickets, merch, and much more. So if you like going to the races in person, you should definitely check it out.

Now that you know the best online betting sites UK to bet with, the next step is to find the best horse racing events to bet on. Take a look at our favourites by clicking on the links to read a full guide on each event.

Selecting the right horse racing platform to meet your punting needs is crucial, and with this guide, you now have reputable options to explore. The decision comes down to what matters most to you — whether it's the best odds available, outstanding customer support, a user-friendly interface, or convenient payment options. Make sure to find the right combination for your betting experience.

Remember to bet responsibly, never wager more than you can afford, and carefully manage your bankroll.

Want to learn more about betting on horse racing? Feel free to refer to these resources:

  1. 1.

    British Horseracing Authority (BHA): Governing body for horse racing in Britain

  2. 2.

    Racecourse Association (RCA): Association that represents British racecourses

  3. 3.

    The Guardian – Horse Racing: News source on horse racing events

  4. 4.

    Cheltenham Festival: Official page of the prestigious Cheltenham Festival horse racing event

  5. 5.

    UK Gambling Commission: Official UK gambling regulator

The “show” bet is considered to be one of the safest to make in horse racing. It allows punters to bet on a horse to finish inside the top three (first, second or third). If it is one of the top three finishers, the wager successfully cashes.

There is no perfect recipe or guarantee for picking a winning horse. Conducting in-depth research regarding how the horse performs in different distances, conditions, under certain weights, and recent form can potentially give you an edge. Don’t forget, even heavy favourites aren’t guaranteed to always do well.

Odds for horses are everchanging up to the moment they leave the starting gate. The amount of money placed on a horse affects its odds leading up to the race. Bookies also set the odds based on factors such as past performance, form, class, draw, track type, jockey, trainer, market trends, and external factors such as weather and conditions.

It’s up to the bettor to determine what odds they consider valuable.

Yes, you can bet on horses using a mobile device such as a phone. Just about every operator has a mobile site, and many have apps.

Any of the five operators we suggested in this article can be considered among the best betting sites for horse racing. Parimatch tops our list of horse racing online betting sites.

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WRITTEN BY Lawrence Smelser View all posts by Lawrence Smelser

Whether it's dissecting the latest player stats or offering insightful commentary on emerging betting markets, Lawrence delivers sharp analysis with a dash of wit. His expertise and coverage extends across many sports leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, PGA Tour and international soccer, ensuring readers receive well-rounded insights from a global perspective.

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