Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
Look no further for the best horse racing betting sites for 2023. Whether it’s the Grand National, Kentucky Derby, or anything in-between – take a look below for sportsbooks that offer a top-quality horse betting experience.
Our team of industry experts have analyzed the market to find the top 10 leading betting sites for horse racing. But if you’re just starting out, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our full horse racing betting guide which covers the different wagers to place, top tips on betting strategy, and a round-up of the most profitable horse racing events.
Top Horse Racing Betting Sites for 2022
See our review criteria
We want every bettor to feel confident in the sportsbook they’ve chosen. That’s why each site that we recommended undergoes a comprehensive review process. Learn more about how we rate betting sites here.
Popular Horse Racing Bet Types
Understanding the most popular wagers is essential to doing well at horse racing betting. Below you’ll find an explanation of the key horse racing bets with a summary of how the odds work for each.
- Win
- Place
- Show
- Exacta
- Trifecta
- Superfecta
- Quinella
- Daily Double
- Pick 3, 4, 5, 6
What is a win bet?
A win bet is a wager on a horse to win a race outright. In order for this bet to payout, the horse must finish in first. For horse racing betting, this is by far the easiest wager to make. A win bet is our top recommendation for those just starting out and looking to get a feel for horse racing betting.
Top Horse Racing Betting Strategies
With horse racing betting, you need a sound strategy supporting the wagers you make. While no system can offer a guaranteed win, there are a few popular strategies worth bearing in mind. Take a look at our top three for some horse race betting inspiration.
- 1
Back the Beaten Favorite Strategy
Beaten favorites are horses which at some stage in their careers didn’t live up to market expectations. Just because they have disappointed once, however, does not automatically mean they will do so again. A beaten favorite dropping down in class or grade into an easier race may well bounce back.If you are prepared to give a beaten horse the benefit of the doubt when gambling, then you could end up seeing better horse racing betting odds when backing it next time. Overlooking one loss could prove profitable, but be sure to research the rest of a racehorse’s form to check this has not become a habit.
- 2
Follow the Winners Strategy
Any horse on a hot streak of previous wins is one on form. There’s momentum behind it and a belief that it will keep on winning at the track. It’s always worth your while checking racecards to see if there are any horses with lots of 1s next to their name.The best horse racing betting sites won’t have missed this either. When it comes to pricing up, a sportsbook will likely give a winning horse short odds which will produce a lower payout. Backing an undefeated winner may not produce the biggest profit, but it remains a popular betting strategy.
- 3
Dutching Betting Strategy
It’s fine to hedge your bets and back more than one horse in the same race, especially if it’s a large field or competitive event. When you bet on two or more horses like this, it’s called ‘Dutching’. The idea is that covering several outcomes will return an overall profit regardless of which horse you back wins.You can keep Dutching simple by betting the same stake on two or more horses, or adjust the amount wagered relative to the odds available. Strong numeracy skills help with the latter, as you can calculate an equal profit depending on your picks’ prices. If you look online, you’ll find Dutching calculators that can work out your stake.
Horse Racing Betting Tips
Beyond having a strategy in place, there are a few things that are always essential to consider with horse race betting. For the best free horse racing betting tips, look no further than our round-up below.
Study a horse’s form
Form is essential to study before placing a wager. The simplest way to do this is to check past form figures on an online racecard. Finding out things like if a horse has previously won at a course can make all the difference in predicting an outcome. Beyond that, watching back old races can be useful to evaluate form yourself.
Factor in the jockey
Have you ever considered how important the person riding the horse is? The jockey can make or break its chances. You can check how jockeys have performed recently by looking at their statistics over the last couple of weeks. This tells you whether they are in-form in the saddle or not. When studying horses’ past performances, you can also see who rode them. If there’s evidence that they only run well for a certain jockey and they’re racing, then that can be a reason to bet.
Shop around for odds
Odds comparison is essential for making the most out of a bet. Top betting sites tend to offer similar odds to each other, though it’s always worth shopping around to find the most value. Leading British and Irish sportsbooks will also have best odds guaranteed promotions. Best odds guaranteed simply means that if you take a price and the starting price (SP) is bigger, your bet is settled at the larger odds. One tip from use – check when best odds guaranteed offers are available from to ensure your wager is covered.
Manage your bankroll
Gambling on any sport, horse racing included, is about not betting more than you can afford to lose. Managing your account balance by setting yourself limits and sticking to them is a great way of gambling responsibly. Betting on the horses is one of the more complicated sports, especially in the most competitive events where cases can be made for many runners. This makes keeping to a budget even more important. Never chase losses and always bet according to the type and difficulty of the race.
Jumps vs Flat Racing Strategy
Jumps or flat, which is better to bet on? The answer ultimately comes down to personal preference, though there are some key differences to understand between them. We’ve put together a few points to consider when it comes to jumps versus flat.
-
Different Weights
Weight has an obvious effect on a horse’s speed. Flat races are largely about speed, so the weight carried by these horses is often much lower than those competing over jumps. This is because steeplechases are more about strength, stamina, and endurance. If you don’t think a racehorse can carry its weight and win, then that’s a big reason not to bet on it.
-
Different Distances
The race distance between jumps and flat can be hugely varied. Looking at the extremes, the shortest flat race can be just five furlongs (1000m) while the longest jump races, like the Grand National, can be up to 4 miles and 3 furlongs (6,900m). This means that making sure the horse you choose is suitable for the race type is essential.
-
Length of Careers
Other than exceptional racehorses, those competing on the flat have much shorter careers than jumps. Flat horses begin in the spring of their two-year-old season and only tend to race for two or three years. On the other hand, jump horses don’t start until halfway through their three-year-old year or later and can still be racing into their teenage years. This means there can be much less form data to look at before a flat race.
-
Track Conditions
The going underfoot has a huge impact on the chances of a racehorse. Those competing on the flat tend to prefer sounder surfaces and good ground – conditions that are essential for speed. On the other hand, jumps horses need softer surfaces to cushion their landing after clearing obstacles. Only a versatile, talented horse can handle all conditions well. As the going can directly affect performance, it’s key to understand before placing a horse racing bet.
-
Starting Positions
Getting a good start can be the difference between winning and losing. There are starting stalls or gates for flat races with a level of draw bias depending on which position the horse is given. A good break from the stalls is also important. Be slow out of the gate and a horse might not be able to make up lost ground, especially for sprint races. The starts in jumps races are less structured with a tape drawn across the track and then released.
The Richest Horse Racing Events
Horse racing betting is huge worldwide. To get an understanding of just how much money goes into the sport, take a look at the biggest prize purses ranked for 2021.
| Event | Country | 2021 Prize Purse |
|---|---|---|
Saudi Cup | Saudi Arabia | $20m |
The Everest | Australia | $15m |
Dubai World Cup | UAE | $12m |
Breeders’ Cup Classic | US | $6m |
Dubai Turf | UAE | $6m |
Dubai Sheema Classic | UAE | $6m |
Japan Cup | Japan | $5.8m |
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe | France | $5.6m |
Arima Kinen | Japan | $5.6m |
Melbourne Cup | Australia | $5.3m |
Breeders’ Cup Turf | US | $3m |
Pegasus World Cup | US | $3m |
The Epsom Derby | UK | $2.13m |
Kentucky Derby | US | $2m |
The Grand National | UK | $1.57m |
How We Rate the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
With horse racing betting, it’s important that you have faith in the sportsbook you bet with. Rest assured, each of our recommended sites undergoes a rigorous review process. To make it to the shortlist of the best horse racing betting sites, a sportsbook must do well in each of these areas:
Range of Horse Racing Events
As horse racing betting online is a global phenomenon, that needs reflecting in the range of events offered. A top sportsbook scores highly from us if it has markets for international races as well as full coverage of the action closer to home.
Competitive Horse Racing Odds
When it comes to horse racing betting odds, our reviewers look for the top prices. The shortlist will only ever recommend betting sites with competitive odds across all of its markets. Beyond that, a solid range of bet types is essential to please every style of bettor.
Online Racing Form
Best in class sportsbooks should offer top quality racing forms. This should include horse racing betting tips from industry experts as well as a good analysis of form. Our seal of approval will only be given to sites that can provide users with the best data going.
Bonuses & Promotions
From non-runner no bets and best odds guaranteed, to extra place terms and money-back deals, bonuses and free bets are the hallmarks of a great online sportsbook. So much can happen in a horse race that promotions should come as standard. That’s how a sportsbook will earn a top recommendation from us.
Mobile Experience
If you’re gambling on the track, you need easy access to an online sports betting account. A sportsbook can only get our recommendation if it provides an easy and streamlined mobile experience. In particular, we’ll be looking for either a cutting-edge betting app or a mobile-optimized site.
Customer Support
Friendly and helpful customer support is crucial for a horse racing betting site. Our team of reviewers will be on the lookout for 24/7 support through a live chat, email address, or phone number. Only excellent customer service is enough to make it to a top 10 spot.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
Horse Racing Betting FAQ
Where can I find horse racing news?
For the latest racing news, head to our horse racing news hub for racing results, trainer profiles, updates, and more.
How does horse racing betting work?
Horse racing betting works by backing a horse to either win or place. To start, select a race and horse to bet on. Then, chose a bet type and stake amount, before adding the wager to your bet slip.
Where can I bet on horse racing?
Most leading sportsbooks will offer a great depth of markets on horse racing. For the best horse racing betting sites, head to our shortlist above.
What horse bet pays the most?
It’s not the bet type that creates a big payout – it’s the odds. Exotic bets such as exactas, trifectas, and superfectas can produce great odds. Or for UK bettors, big combination bets such as Trixies, Yankees, lucky 15s, and lucky 31s can create large returns from small stakes.
What is the best horse racing betting strategy?
This depends on the type of bettor you are. Some of the most popular betting strategies include backing the beaten favorite, following the winner, and Dutching.
What breed of horse is fastest?
Thoroughbred racehorses are the fastest. This is because they are bred specifically for racing on the track. Standardbred, pureblood Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian are other common types of horses, but these lack the speedy pedigree of thoroughbreds.
