The Best Horse Racing Bookies

Finding the best horse racing bookies can make the difference between making a profit or losing your betting bank.

York Ebor Stand

With countless online bookmakers fighting for your attention, it’s important to know which ones offer the best services for your needs. This guide will help you sift through the various options and choose the best horse racing bookie for you.

Best Overall Bookmaker for Horse Racing: Bet365

Bet365 stands out as the best all-around horse racing bookmaker. They offer a comprehensive service that includes:

£30 in Free Bets: New customers can benefit from Bet365’s sign-up offer.
Extensive Features: From live streaming of races to early prices and great value odds, Bet365 has it all.
Bonuses for Existing Players: Regular promotions keeps the excitement going for all users.

Bet365 offers the full spectrum of features that’s beneficial to both novice and experienced bettors. Their easy to use platform and user-friendly mobile app make placing bets super easy. If you’re looking for an all inclusive betting site for horse racing, Bet365 is the way to go.

It should be noted that no bookmaker is perfect and not everyone’s experience of using Bet365 is always the same.

Here are some potential drawbacks:

Some users report occasional issues with withdrawals taking longer than expected.
The platform's extensive features may be overwhelming for complete beginners.
Odds on some niche markets might not be as competitive as specialized bookmakers.

On Course Bookies

Other Noteworthy Bookmakers

While Bet365 tops the list for us, other bookmakers are also worth considering as they offer unique features that cater to individual preferences:

BetGoodwin: Known for their attractive racing offers , including their unique sign-up deal where new customers can get 50% of any losses back on their first day. They also offer great odds, often higher than other sites, making them a great option for punters looking to get the best value on their bets. Furthermore, they offer coverage on a wide range of worldwide races, making it a preferred choice for international racing fans.
William Hill: William Hill provides a wide range of horse racing markets as well as early prices and best odds guaranteed. They also boast a robust live streaming service and a user-friendly app. Another noteworthy point that makes William Hill a great choice, is in our experience, they provide extra places on a wider array of races than any other bookie.
Paddy Power: Renowned for their enticing promotions and money-back specials, Paddy Power offers a variety of betting markets and excellent customer service.

Top Bookmaker Promotions

Taking advantage of available offers maximizes your betting experience by offering more value on your selections. Here are some promotions to look out for when choosing bookies:

Extra Places: Bookies offer extra places on various races, some more than others, so it’s worth shopping around. While one bookmaker might offer extra places on a key race, another could be providing extra places on several other races. If a few bookies seem to be offering extra places on the same races, you could rank them in terms of odds offered.
Money Back Offers: Other offers that can mitigate your risk include refund if your horse falls at the first fence, refuses to race, or is beaten by a nose.
Enhanced Odds: Many bookies offer enhanced odds on big races, giving you better returns on your bets.
Live Streaming: Although not directly related to offers, opting for bookies with live streams can further enhance your betting experience as it allows you to follow the action closely and make more informed in-play bets.

To enhance your betting strategy, consider following Daily Racing Tips from expert tipsters.

The Best Horse Racing Bookies For Odds

For maximum profits, it’s essential to find the best odds. BetGoodwin offers higher prices on average than other sites, while Bet365, William Hill, and a few other bookies often have the best prices available.

Having accounts with a handful of the best horse racing bookies ensures you always get the best odds. We advise using comparison websites to highlight odds from various bookmakers, such as Oddschecker as this can be extremely helpful in identifying the best value bets.

Live Streaming Services

As previously mentioned, watching live races is a significant advantage, and not all bookmakers offer this feature. Bet365 provides high-quality streams for all UK and Irish races, making Bet365 the top choice for live streaming horse racing. Other bookmakers like William Hill and Paddy Power also offer live streaming services, but Bet365’s superior quality gives them the upper-hand.

Free Bets for Winners

Some of the best horse racing bookies reward you for backing winners at longer odds. For instance, if you back a winner at 4/1 or more on any live race shown on ITV4, you’ll get a free bet credited to your account. So if you like to back horses with bigger odds, this extra bonus might be an important offering when it comes to choosing bookies.

How to Bet on Horse Racing

Velasco in the Parade Ring

You need to understand the different betting markets for successful betting. Here is a list of the popular markets:

Win Market: Bet on which horse will win the race. This is the simplest and most popular form of betting.
Each-Way: Split your stake between a win bet and a place bet. This type of bet is typically placed on outsiders at bigger odds, providing a safety net if the horse places but doesn’t win.
Place Only: Bet on a horse finishing in the top positions. The number of places paid out depends on the bookmaker and the number of runners in the race.
Forecast/Reverse Forecast: Predict the first and second place horses. A reverse forecast allows for any order, increasing your chances of winning but offering lower odds.
Tricast: Predict the first, second, and third place horses. This is a more challenging bet but can yield significant returns.

Lay Bets: Bet against a horse winning. This is available on betting exchanges like Smarkets and allows for potentially regular profits if done correctly.

Early Prices and Best Odds Guaranteed

Getting in there early often provides better odds. Bet365 excels in offering early odds, ensuring you get the best value. Additionally, the Best Odds Guaranteed offer ensures you get the highest price, whether you take an early price or the starting price. For example, if you back a horse @4/1 but the starting price is 5/1, you will get paid out at the bigger odds.

Best Betting App for Horse Racing

For those who prefer betting on the go, it’s essential to have a reliable app to place your bets. Bet365, Betfred, Virgin Bet, and William Hill all offer top-tier apps. These apps include all the necessary features like live streaming, in-play betting, and highlight key promotions.

Additional Tips for Betting on Horse Racing

To enhance your betting strategy, consider the following tips:

Research: Knowledge is power. Study the form of horses, track conditions, and past performance.
Multiple Accounts: Having accounts with several bookmakers allows you to take advantage of the best odds and promotions.
Set a Budget: Always bet responsibly and set a budget for your betting activities.
Follow the Experts: Consider following expert tipsters and analysts to inform your betting decisions.

Best Horse Racing Bookie Summary

Choosing the right bookmaker can significantly enhance your horse racing betting experience. Bet365 leads the pack with its well-rounded service, but other bookmakers like BetGoodwin, William Hill, and Paddy Power also offer great value. Make sure to take advantage of various promotions and shop around for the best odds to maximize your profits.

While horse race betting can be exciting, it's crucial to understand and acknowledge the associated risks:

Financial risk: There's always a possibility of losing money. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Addiction potential: Gambling can be addictive. Be aware of the signs of problem gambling and seek help if needed.
Time consumption: Following races and studying form can be time-intensive. Ensure it doesn't negatively impact other areas of your life.
Emotional impact: The highs and lows of winning and losing can affect your mental well-being.

Resources for responsible gambling: gambleaware.co.uk