International Horse Racing Betting Sites

Betting on horse racing started in the early 1600s in the UK, where people could wager on the final position of a runner. Since then, the sport has gained popularity and events like the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National, or the Triple Crown guarantee an action-packed experience.

Even though you can still place your bets at the racetrack or on the high street, several horse bookmakers have emerged to make your life easier. With so many alternatives online, how can you pick the best bookmakers for horse racing?

Of course, the odds and the variety of markets are critical, while many sites offer Live Streaming services or promotions on the top races. Read on to figure out all the criteria you need to focus on before choosing a sportsbook.

List of the Best Online Bookmakers for Horse Racing

Without further ado, we present you with a list of the best horse racing bookmakers. Since the odds fluctuate constantly, BOG is vital. Offering multiple daily races is critical too. Finally, Live Streaming can help you make more informed decisions and shape your betting strategies.

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Choosing the Best Bookies for Horse Racing

The first thing you should keep in mind is that not all sites cover horse racing since it is more prominent in specific countries like the UK, the US, Australia, South Africa, and China. Also, the standards for the top horse racing bookmakers are precise. Let’s take a look.

Variety of Markets

In general, the number of options is smaller than in other sports such as football or basketball. The most usual markets are win, each/way, and ante post horse racing betting. Some sites only offer these three and nothing else; this does not give players a lot of versatility.

The best bookmakers for horse racing will also include specials such as forecasts, tricasts, match betting, betting without the favourite, or pool bets.

Odds & BOG

Due to the number of runners in each race (some might feature 20+), the payout among horse bookmakers is not very high. For example, at the 3:50 race at Ayr, where ten horses will compete, the ratio in Bet365 stands at 85%. The more horses in a race, the lower the payout will be.

This is a way for sportsbooks to protect their profits. In addition, a phenomenon that takes place very often is price fluctuation. Let’s say that the odds on a horse when the market opened were 9.00 (8/1).

However, because many punters backed it, the odds are now 6.00 (5/1). As you can see, the difference is too big. This is why you should bet on BOG bookies to make sure you are always paid at the highest prices.

Live Streaming

Live Streaming in football or tennis can enhance your in-play betting strategies. You can watch a match live and determine which team or player performs better at the time and back them to score the next goal or win the next game or set.

Even though live betting is an option with some horse racing bookmakers, the race is too fast, and it is difficult to place your wagers in time. However, the most experienced players use LS differently. They watch when the horses are shown to the spectators in the paddock. That way, they can examine their state and make more informed decisions.

Extra Places Paid

Besides betting on which horse will win the race, you can also back a runner to ‘place’, which means to finish in the top positions. The number of places paid is based on two aspects. First, how many horses run? Generally, with more than 16 horses, four places are paid.

If there are fewer, only the top 2-3 runners will pay you. Secondly, the best bookmakers for horse racing will pay you an additional runner. This mainly happens as motivation to bet on the most significant events like the Cheltenham Festival or the Royal Ascot.

Also Read: Royal Ascot Betting Tips

Horse Racing Offers

Betting sites that offer odds on horse racing understand how important keeping players happy is. The easiest way to achieve that is by providing horse bettors with regular promotions.

The most common types include Free Bets, ACCA and Faller Insurances, Accumulator Boosts, Enhanced Odds, and Money Back Specials. Underneath, you can find some of the best horse betting offers available at the time.

$25 Horse Free Play

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Expires at: 23:59 Dec 31, 2024

The $25 Free Bet is only good on the first bet placed on SportsBetting's Racebook. Place a real-money bet in the Racebook. If your bet loses get your stake back as a Free Bet up to $25. Email required. Bets placed over the phone do not count for this promotion. There is a 6x time rollover requirement associated with the Free Bet. Free Bets expire after 30 days of release. Bets on the Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes are not eligible for this promotion. Bets on Horse match-ups, futures and props are not eligible for this promotion.

T&Cs apply, see more details

The $25 Free Bet is only good on the first bet placed on SportsBetting's Racebook. Place a real-money bet in the Racebook. If your bet loses get your stake back as a Free Bet up to $25. Email required. Bets placed over the phone do not count for this promotion. There is a 6x time rollover requirement associated with the Free Bet. Free Bets expire after 30 days of release. Bets on the Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes are not eligible for this promotion. Bets on Horse match-ups, futures and props are not eligible for this promotion.

Expires at: 23:59 Dec 31, 2024

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Boost your sports bets’ odds with our Uniboost

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Expires at: 23:59 Dec 31, 2024

Get bigger odds on any bet of your choice, up to three times a day. Look out for the highlighted orange price with boosted odds within the relevant race page. Add your selection(s) to your betslip, enter your stake, click the Uniboost button, place your bet and see your boosted bets marked as 'Uniboost'. Max stakes apply. Only one bet per day will qualify.

18+ | Full T&Cs apply | begambleaware.org

Get bigger odds on any bet of your choice, up to three times a day. Look out for the highlighted orange price with boosted odds within the relevant race page. Add your selection(s) to your betslip, enter your stake, click the Uniboost button, place your bet and see your boosted bets marked as 'Uniboost'. Max stakes apply. Only one bet per day will qualify.

Expires at: 23:59 Dec 31, 2024

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Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet

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Expires at: 23:59 Dec 31, 2024

With Bet365 ITV Racing 4/1 Offer, you back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £/€50).

T&Cs apply, see more details

With Bet365 ITV Racing 4/1 Offer, you back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £/€50).

Expires at: 23:59 Dec 31, 2024

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What Types of Bets Do Horse Bookmakers Offer

We have already touched upon the subject, but now it’s time to check all horse bookmakers' primary and secondary markets. Knowing all the options at your disposal is critical for building your strategies and increasing your chances of winning.

Main Markets:

⏩ Win: You straight-up bet on a horse to win the race. Due to the competitive nature of the sport and the big fields, even the favourites have high odds. For example, in a race with 10+ horses, the runner with the lowest odds might pay at 6.00 (5/1). This means that if you bet £10, you will have a profit of £50.

⏩ Place: Instead of betting on a horse to win, you back it to finish in the top positions. The number depends on how many horses start the race, and the odds are lower than the win market. Usually, players bet on underdogs to place since the prices will be very enticing.

⏩ Each/Way: It is a combination of the first two, where your wager is split between the win and place. For example, if you have bet £10 on A Plus Tard to win the Gold Cup each/way, £5 will go to the win and £5 to the place market. Follow our guide for a deeper analysis of how does each way work. 

Secondary Markets:

⏩ Betting w/o the Favourite: In races with few runners, sometimes there is a massive favourite with odds less than 2.00 (1/1). These prices do not hold much value in a sport like horse racing. This is why some of the best horse racing bookmakers will give you the option to bet on the winner without the favourite.

⏩ Match Betting: 2-way markets in horse racing are scarce. The match betting one allows you to bet on a horse to finish in a better position than one other. It doesn’t have to win the race, just to outrun its’ opponent.

⏩ Exotics: These are wagers that combine multiple runners within the same race. For example, with forecast (or exacta), you can predict which horse will finish first and which second. With trifecta (or tricast), you can predict the first three, while with superfecta, the top four. Of course, the more horses you add, the higher the risk but so are the potential profits.

⏩ Distance Betting: This market calls for players to bet on the total winning margin of all races in a tournament or between the first and second horses. The maximum line for horse racing distance betting is 12 lengths for flat races, while for hurdles, it is 30 lengths.

⏩ Pool Bets: Pool bets are more prominent in the UK. Essentially, all bets are gathered in the same pool, and the final odds are calculated depending on the total stakes.

Are there any New Horse Racing Betting Sites

New online bookmakers have appeared constantly over the last few years. The sport is huge in countries like the UK, Australia, Ireland, the US, South Africa, and the UAE and it has gained footing in other parts of the world as well.

It has become a common practice of the latest sites to include it in the offering. Also, several bookmakers opt to add a horse section in the existing sportsbook. Underneath, you can find some of the best new horse racing betting sites.

Is it Worth Registering at the Best Horse Racing Bookmakers?

By now, you must have realised that the first step to answering how to bet on horse racing online is picking the right sportsbook. From the variety of markets and the odds to special offers and exotic wagers, bookies have an abundance to provide. What’s more, horse betting can come with ridiculous profits from minimal stakes if you pick the right strategies.

For example, in 2011, Steve Whitely managed to win £1.45 million from a mere £2 bet. Even though this is not an everyday occurrence, the prices of the runners on offer among the best bookmakers for horse racing are definitely worth your while.