Horse Racing Betting Sites UK

With so many horse racing betting sites available, choosing the right one can be challenging. That's where I come in. I've personally selected the best options for The Independent, Using my expertise to ensure you get the best choice. These sites offer great odds, user-friendly platforms, promotions, and top-notch customer service, guaranteeing an impressive betting experience.

Our Experts' Top 10 Horse Racing Betting Sites in 2024

For those looking to bet on horse racing online, our expert has handpicked a selection of trusted UK horse racing betting sites.

1. Betfred

Betfred have one of the best new customer offers on the market in 2024.

They are one of the most popular gambling sites when it comes to betting on horse racing and you can secure £50 in bonus funds when you register an account and place a £10 bet on the racing.

To opt-in, use the promo code WELCOME50. The £50 in bonus funds is broken down as follows:

• A free £20 horse racing bet
• A free £20 football bet
• 50 x 20p free casino spins

It’s an ideal way to get started with a bookmaker known as the ‘Bonus King’ due to the added bonuses that you can land with your horse racing bets in particular.

New customers only need to stake £10 to qualify for this promotion and this only needs to be placed on a selection at even-money (2.0) or bigger to trigger £50 worth of bonuses.

2. bet365

We consistently found bet365 offering the best price on horses and their 'Best Odds Guaranteed' feature ensures that if you place a bet after 8am and the Starting Price (SP) is bigger, you'll get paid out at those better odds.

Additionally, new and eligible customers enjoy daily horse racing boosts and a 'Price Promise' means that their odds on all UK and Irish races shown live on ITV are never beaten (from 10am until 15 minutes before the race).

bet365 also have a 'Each Way Extra' promotion, which allows you to choose place terms for Each Way Horse Racing bets on selected Horse Races. The Racing Value offers payouts on disqualified horses and now includes bets placed Ante-Post.

There is also live streaming of most races, allowing you to watch them live or to bet in-running as races unfold, we particularly like their 'Each Way Extra' functionality, which allows you to choose your own place terms. 

Bet365 are also our No.1 ranked fast withdrawal betting site thanks to their extensive offering, range of bet boosts, bet builder and other offers.

For punters who like to bet on to go, bet365 has one of the best betting apps for horse racing.

3. TalkSPORT Bet

TalkSPORT Bet are offering a sign-up promo of £30 in free bets when you bet £10 on any horse racing meeting. Simply create an account and opt-in via the offers tab. Then, make a deposit using your debit card or Apple Pay and place a bet of £10 or more on Horse Racing at odds of 2.00 or higher before 13:00 on 12/03/2024. 

By doing so, you'll receive £30 in free bets divided into a free £10 bet, a free £10 Acca, and a free Football bet builder.

4. BetGoodwin

BetGoodwin offer multiple sign-up offers for those looking to wager on horse racing. The pick of the bunch, in our opinion, is their 50% back as a Welcome Bonus of up to £25 on any first-day losses as a new customer.

To qualify for this bonus, customers must place a minimum of three £10 bets on horses priced at no lower than evens (1/1) in different races.  For example, if none of your three £10 bets were to win, BetGoodwin will give you a free bet of £15. 

As with many horse racing betting sites, they feature a lineup of racing ambassadors, including trainers Alan King and Chris Gordon, jockeys Hayley Turner and Tom Cannon, plus racing broadcaster Mike Cattermole.

Betgoodwin are still one of the relatively new betting sites on the market, but they are building a steady reputation of being one of the best horse racing betting sites available.

5. BetVictor

BetVictor are offering an impressive welcome offer for horse racing punters. Create your account and deposit using a Debit Card or Apple Pay, then  place a qualifying bet of £10 or more at odds of evens (1/1) or greater to receive the following:

• £5 Lengthen the Odds Free bet
• £5 Racing - in-play Free bet
• £5 Virtual racing Free bet
• £5 Any Horse Racing Free bet

6. BetMGM

New to the UK horse racing betting scene, BetMGM offers one of the best welcome deals for 2024. New players can claim the offer by opening an account and betting £10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or higher.

Once this bet is settled you will receive £40 credit in the form of four £10 free bets as follows:

• 1 x £10 horse racing bet
• 1 x £10 Bet Builder
• 1 x £10 Acca
• 1 x £10 football bet

BetMGM also offer Best Odds Guaranteed betting on all horse racing events.

7. RedAxePlay

Punters are always hoping to get their hands on some free bets for horse racing betting and we’ve found a suitable promotion at RedAxePlay, a relatively new betting site who have come on leaps and bounds since launching in 2021.

RedAxePlay reward new customers with a £30 free bet when they register and bet £20. This offer not only applies to horse racing but can be used with any major sports, including football and tennis.

It’s a straightforward offer with a new sports betting site that are fully licensed in the UK.

8. BetUK

BetUK are offering new customers the chance to get £30 in free bets when they bet £10 with their welcome offer. Simply register, deposit, and stake £10 on any qualifying bet within 7 days to receive 3 x £10 Free Bets as follows:

• 1 x £10 Free Bet on Horse Racing
• 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder
• 1x Football Free Bet

As one of the leading free bet club sites on the market, BetUK's existing customers are also catered for with 2x £3 horse racing free bets every week.

BetUK also provide a range of offers for the big horse racing meetings of the year, including Non-Runner No Bet, ensuring your stake is refunded if your horse is declared a non-runner, available until the final declaration stage.

9. Betway

Betway is another horse racing betting site that are heavily entwined with horse racing, and they have trainer Ross O'Sullivan and former jump jockey Katie Walsh as ambassadors.

An official betting partner of The Jockey Club, Betway offer 'Best Odds Guaranteed' on all UK and Irish racing, while their live streaming coverage extends to races in France, Australia and the US.

Additionally, there are 'Betway Boosts' for enhanced odds, a 'Free Bet Club' that rewards you with two weekly £5 free bets if you place £25 in qualifying multiples and a welcome offer of £10 in free bets when you sign up to a new account.

10. BoyleSports

BoyleSports is another to make our list of the best horse racing betting sites thanks to their unique promos, such as money back as a free bet of up to £20, if your horse finishes second to the SP favourite at a selected daily meeting.

One of the top horse racing betting sites available, Boylesports offer Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish racing, a Free Bet if your horse fails to start, and free live streaming of UK racing.

Sponsors of the Boylesports Irish Grand National, they have former Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winning jockey Robbie Power and leading trainer Gordon Elliott as horse racing ambassadors. 

Best Horse Racing Betting Sites by Category

Our expert has carefully assessed horse racing betting options across the top UK horse racing betting sites to highlight the best choices in each category.

Best Apps for Horse Racing Betting

The best horse racing betting sites usually offer excellent mobile apps alongside their desktop platforms. Our expert has updated their list of recommended apps for betting on the go. Here are our expert's top picks

How to Choose Between Horse Race Betting Sites: Key Questions to Ask

Getting to grips with online horse racing betting can be tricky for newcomers. In this segment, we'll highlight the key factors to bear in mind when selecting from the best horse racing bookmakers:

How attractive is the welcome offer?

An enticing welcome offer can extend your horse racing betting budget. However, it's important that this offer is free from overly restrictive terms. One of the most popular welcome offers provided by some bookmakers is the bet 10 get 30 in free bets offer where depositing and betting £10 will see new customers receive £30 in free bets.

Do they offer live streaming?

Numerous horse racing betting sites now provide the option of live streaming for all UK and Irish races and sometimes of races from farther afield. Typically, you'll need to have placed a bet on the race or have a funded account to access live streaming.

What payment methods can be used?

The array of available payment options directly affects your ability to make fast deposits and withdrawals according to your preferences. The best horse racing betting sites UK should accept a variety of debit cards, e-wallets and mobile wallet services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Are there regular horse racing promotions?

Regular promotions surpass the initial welcome offer, showcasing a bookmaker's commitment to rewarding loyal customers. 

Top horse betting sites feature daily promotions, free cash prize prediction games and loyalty-free bets for regular bettors. These aspects are pivotal when evaluating and comparing horse racing bookmakers.

Are there special offers for the big races and festivals?

Bookies should ramp things up for the big days in the racing calendar. The likes of the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and the Grand National should be accompanied by an array of special offers such as extra each-way places, free bets and odds boosts. Moreover, ante-post betting markets should be available for major races all year round. 

What betting limits and responsible gambling tools are available?

Betting on horse racing should always be fun and racing sites should enable you to set daily, weekly and monthly betting or deposit limits on your accounts, This enables you to budget and bet responsibly at all times. One way of keeping your deposit amounts down is by using £5 deposit betting sites.

Are there horse race form guides and tips?

When betting on a horse race it's crucial to be able to see a list of all the runners and riders, with colours, recent form, weights, plus jockey and trainer details. Furthermore, the inclusion of a form guide and insights from expert tipsters can significantly enhance your racing betting experience.

Horse Racing Betting Markets

When it comes to horse racing betting, understanding the various markets available can greatly enhance your betting experience. Here are some common horse racing betting markets:

1. Win: Betting on the horse you believe will win the race.
2. Place: Betting on a horse to finish in the top two, three, or sometimes four, depending on the size of the field.
3. Each Way: Combining a win and a place bet into one, where you win if your horse either wins or places.
4. Forecast: Predicting the first two horses in the correct order.
5. Tricast: Predicting the first three horses in the correct order.
6. Accumulator: Combining multiple bets into one, with the winnings from each bet rolling over to the next.

These are just a few examples of the many horse racing betting markets available. Exploring these markets and understanding how they work can provide more opportunities for successful betting.

Different Types of Horse Racing Betting Offers

We've highlighted the horse race betting sites with the best betting sign-up offers in the UK. If you're unsure about the details of each offer, here's a quick breakdown:

• Free Horse Racing Bets: Free bets can allow you to back a horse without using your own money. Look out for free horse racing bets as part of welcome bonuses, promos for big races or loyalty rewards.
• Best Odds Guaranteed: With best odds guaranteed, if you take an early price on a horse and the starting price (SP) turns out to be higher, you will be paid out at the higher odds if your bet wins. To find out more about what SP means in horse racing, check out our SP explainer page.
• Price Boosts: The best horse betting sites have enhanced odds for numerous runners across different races each day. Some sites will also offer their customers a certain number of boosts per day or week to use on whichever horses they like.
• Money-Back Specials: Money-back specials are promotions where bookmakers refund your stake, often as a free bet, if a specific event occurs during a race. For example, you might get money back if your horse finishes second to the favourite, or if it falls at the final fence.
• Extra Places: Bookmakers may increase the number of each-way places paid, especially for high-profile races. For a race with a large field like the Grand National, the best horse racing betting sites sometimes pay as much as seven or eight each-way places.
• Non-Runner, No Bet (NRNB): With NRNB you won't lose your stake if your chosen horse doesn't run. This concession often applies to significant events like the Cheltenham Festival, typically available from around January onwards.
• Acca Insurance: Insurance on horse racing accumulator bets is sometimes available if just one leg of your accumulator lets you down, usually with your stake refunded as a free bet.

Best Horse Racing Betting Offers 2024

We've selected the best promotions from horse racing betting sites, offering a variety of bonuses to suit different preferences.

Kwiff: First Past The Post

First Past the Post ensures payouts even if your winning horse is later disqualified. The 'Double Result' feature guarantees a payout if your horse is promoted after a Stewards Enquiry, offering added security for horse racing bets.

Grosvenor: Cashback

Get up to £20 back in cash when your horse finishes second behind the Starting Price favourite in selected races. This offer provides reassurance for bettors who narrowly miss out on a win. Minimum stake £5, max refund £20, and applies to the win part of each way bets only.

Betfred: Free Bet if 2nd

Place a win or each way single on selected races and if your horse finishes 2nd, get your win stake back in Free Bets up to £10. Available to both new and existing verified customers.

Tote: Betting Tournament

You can join the competitive horse racing betting tournament with Tote for a chance to win prizes based on your betting performance. Opt-in for free and enjoy the horse racing betting action while competing for rewards in a lively tournament atmosphere.

With a bet 10 get 30 Tote sign up offer also available, new customers can get free bets before entering the betting tournament.

SpreadEX: Lucky Double Odds

This promotion offers a unique betting opportunity known as Lucky Double Odds. With Lucky 15, Lucky 31, or Lucky 63 bets, if your bet settles with just one winner, you'll enjoy double the odds on your winning selection. This exclusive offer is available only on horse racing.

BetVictor: Non-Runner No Bet

Get a cash refund if your horse doesn't run in a selected race. Simply place a bet, and if your horse is a non-runner, you'll receive a cash refund. No wagering requirements apply.

Best Odds Guaranteed Times for Horse Betting Sites

Best odds guaranteed (BOG) provides a safety net against odds fluctuations and can add value to bets, making it a popular feature for punters. That's why many major UK horse racing bookies offer it, with William Hill having one of the best BOG packages for horse racing betting. 

Best Horse Racing Betting Site for Accumulators: BoyleSports

BoyleSports is one of the best horse racing accumulator betting sites.

They provide daily 'Extra Place Races' and an 'Acca Loyalty' program where you'll earn a £5 free accumulator bet for every five £5 accumulator bets you place (with minimum odds of 3/1). 

How Our Expert Reviews Horse Racing Betting Sites

Our expert follows a thorough process to review and evaluate horse racing betting sites. Here's how:

• Market Coverage: Assessing the range of horse racing events covered, including major races and international events.
• Betting Options: Evaluating the variety of markets offered for each race, including win, place, each way, forecasts, and more.
• Odds and Value: Comparing the odds to ensure they're competitive and offer good value.
• User Experience: Assessing navigation, speed, mobile compatibility, and overall interface.
• Bonuses and Promotions: Considering welcome offers, free bets, and ongoing promotions for horse racing betting.
• Customer Support: Testing responsiveness and helpfulness through live chat, email, and phone support.
• Payment Options: Reviewing available methods for deposits and withdrawals, ensuring convenience and security.
• Licensing and Security: Verifying valid licenses and robust security measures.

Through this process, our expert provides unbiased assessments of horse racing betting sites, aiding informed decisions.

The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites: In summary

You should now have all the tools you need to choose your next horse racing betting site. 

Remember that all online gambling sites recommended by The Independent have been reviewed by our horse racing betting team and are licensed, regulated and legal to bet with in the UK.

Once you've made your choice, you may wish to track our daily horse racing tips from our esteemed experts. Keep an eye on today's racecards for the latest runners and odds too.