You’re in luck if you enjoy betting on horse races. Our horse racing betting section is jam-packed with not just the racing previews, but also all latest horse racing betting bonuses which have been checked and verified by us.
We have everything you need to enjoy the sport of kings, from horse racing free bets to beginner’s guides and expert horse racing tips.
Major UK Horse Races & Festivals 2024
Here’s a list of the major horse races and horse racing festivals in UK, Ireland and Europe along with all the key dates for horse racing in 2024.
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- March 12-15: Cheltenham Festival
- March – The Lincoln Handicap, Doncaster Racecourse
- March – Florida Derby
- April – Scottish Grand National Festival, Ayr Racecourse
- April – Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
- April – Santa Anita Derby
- April 30 – 4 May: Punchestown Festival, Ireland
- May – Flat Jockeys Championship officially starts
- May – 1000 Guineas at Newmarket
- May – 2000 Guineas at Newmarket
- May 8-10: Chester Boodles May Festival
- May – Kentucky Derby
- May – Preakness Stakes
- June – Belmont Stakes
- June – Epsom Derby Festival
- June – Royal Ascot 2024
- July – Coral Eclipse Summer Festival
- July 11-13: July Festival at Newmarket
- July – King George Weekend, Sandown Park
- July – Qatar Goodwood Festival
- July 29 – 4 August: Galway Races Summer Festival, Ireland
- August – Travers Stakes, Saratoga
- August 21-24: York Ebor Meeting
- September – St Leger Day, Doncaster
- October – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, ParisLongchamp
- October – Breeders’ Cup
- November – The Melbourne Cup, Australia (3pm local time)
- November – The November Meeting, Cheltenham Racecourse
- December 26 – King George VI Chase, Kempton Park
- December – Ladbrokes Christmas Festival
- December – Coral Welsh Grand National
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Types Of Horse Racing Bets
Here we will run through a list of the most popular types. of horse racing bets with an explanation for each.
Win bet
The most basic and simplest horse racing bet of them all. Pick a horse to win.
Each way
An each way bet consists of two bets – a win bet and a place bet. So for example, with a £5 each way bet your total stake would be £10. £5 of your bet is on the horse to win and the other fiver is on the horse to place. If your horse wins, both bets are successful. Each way bets are useful in wide open races with lots of places available or on big odds runners as you can still make a profit if your horse places.
Place only
In some cases, betting on horse to place is useful as saver bets or if there is a long odds on favourite. Many traditional bookmakers do not offer place only betting but you can find multiple place only markets on the Betfair exchange.
Ante Post betting
Ante post bets are long term futures bets on the big races such as the Grand National, Epsom Derby, Cheltenham Gold Cup or Arc de Triomphe. Odds for the major horse races are available all year round and can provide some very big odds but you need to bear in mind that if your chosen horse does not take part in the race then your stake is lost.
Tote Jackpot
For the Tote Jackpot bet you have to pick the first 6 winners at a meeting nominated by The Tote Jackpot has a minimum £10,000 prize pool and is available every day of the week. The minimum stake is £1 and multiples are in multiples of 50p so you can create perms to have more than one horse in chosen legs of the pool. The more horses you chose for each leg, the more lines in your bet. This increases chance of winning but also increasing stake size.
Tote Placepot
The Tote Placepot is a very popular bet that gives you an interest in up to six races and can give you chance to win big payouts for relatively small stakes. To win the Placepot you must select a horse to place in the first six races at any UK, Irish, or selected international meeting. There is an average payout of £441 to £1 stakes over the course of the last year with Tote+.
Tote Quadpot
The Tote Quadpot is the bet for you if you are eliminated from the Placepot in the first few legs or believe that the first two races of the day are a little too difficult to take on. You only need to pick a horse to place in the third to sixth races at any meeting to win the Quadpot. The Quadpot is available at all UK meetings and a few large international meetings. The Quadpot is available to play starting at 9am every day.
Straight Forecast
A straight forecast is a type of bet in which you choose two competitors in a single sporting event and predict their precise finishing positions, such as first and second. The types of wagers are popular in race-based sports such as horse racing, greyhound racing, cycling and motorsports.
Reverse Forecast
The reverse forecast is like straight forecast but is a combination of two forecast bets to select the first and second place winners of a race in any order.
Tricast
The Tricast bet is a difficult bet in which you try to predict who will finish first, second and third in a given race, with the three picks finishing precisely in the sequence you specify when placing the bet.
Winning Distances
Some punters like to bet on winning distances in horse races as it can give you much bigger odds than the straight win. For example, a 1/4 shot may be Even money to win by 5+ lengths.
Without the Favourite
In races with a strong favourite many bookies will offer betting markets with the favourite taken out. In this ‘best of the rest’ scenario your bet will be a winner if your horse wins or finishes second to the favourite.
International Horse Racing
Horse racing thrives globally, extending beyond the UK and Ireland to major venues around the world. In France, premier races occur at renowned tracks like Longchamp and Chantilly, with coverage available on Sky Sports Racing and various betting sites.
US Horse Racing
The US racing scene boasts iconic courses such as Santa Anita and Churchill Downs, with the Breeders Cup as a pinnacle event. The Far East’s Happy Valley and Japan’s top tracks like Tokyo and Kyoto offer unique racing experiences.
The Middle East’s lucrative scene features top venues like Meydan, while Australia’s racing, highlighted by events like The Melbourne Cup, takes place at leading courses including Flemington and Royal Randwick.
For further insights on global horse racing events, keep an eye on relevant horse betting tips pages. Odds on horses races can shrink rapidly once the word is out so it pays to act fast before the value price disappears, never to be seen again.
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| Horse Race Track | Key Races |
| Aqueduct Racetrack | Wood Memorial Stakes, Cigar Mile Handicap, Remsen Stakes |
| Belmont Park | Belmont Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Man o’ War Stakes |
| Churchill Downs | Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Clark Handicap |
| Del Mar Racetrack | Pacific Classic, Del Mar Debutante Stakes, Del Mar Futurity |
| Gulfstream Park | Pegasus World Cup, Florida Derby, Fountain of Youth Stakes |
| Hoosier Park | Dan Patch Stakes, Indiana Derby, Indiana Oaks |
| Keeneland | Blue Grass Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, Maker’s Mark Mile |
| The Meadowlands | Hambletonian Stakes, Meadowlands Pace, Cane Pace |
| Northfield Park | Battle of Lake Erie, Carl Milstein Memorial, Cleveland Trotting Classic |
| Oaklawn Park | Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Handicap, Apple Blossom Handicap |
| Pimlico Race Course | Preakness Stakes, Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, Dixie Stakes |
| Santa Anita Park | Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Handicap |
| Saratoga Race Course | Travers Stakes, Whitney Handicap, Alabama Stakes |
| Yonkers Raceway | Yonkers Trot, Art Rooney Pace, Messenger Stakes |
UK Racecourses
The United Kingdom boasts a rich heritage in horse racing, a sport that has flourished on its shores for centuries.
From the rolling hills of Scotland to the lush pastures of England, and across to the rugged landscapes of Wales, the UK is dotted with a variety of racecourses, each offering a unique blend of history, culture, and racing excellence.
These venues not only serve as the stage for some of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events but also play a significant role in the local economy and social horse racing calendar.
The following table presents a comprehensive list of UK racecourses, showcasing the diversity and charm of racing venues across the country, inviting enthusiasts and newcomers alike to explore the thrilling world of horse racing in the UK.
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| Racecourse | Code | Key Races |
| Aintree | Jumps | Grand National, Melling Chase, Liverpool Hurdle |
| Ascot | Flat & Jumps | Ascot Gold Cup, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Champion Stakes |
| Ayr | Jumps | Ayr Gold Cup, Scottish Grand National, Ayr Silver Cup |
| Bangor-on-Dee | Jumps | Anne Duchess of Westminster Memorial Handicap Chase, Bangor-on-Dee Handicap Chase, Bangor-on-Dee Handicap Hurdle |
| Bath | Flat | Lansdown Fillies’ Stakes, Bath Cup, Somerset Stakes. |
| Beverley | Flat | Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes, Hilary Needler Trophy, The Beverley D. |
| Brighton | Flat | Brighton Mile Challenge Trophy, John Smith’s Cup, Brighton Challenge Cup |
| Carlisle | Flat & Jumps | Carlisle Bell, Cumberland Plate, The Eternal Stakes |
| Cartmel | Jumps | Cartmel Cup, Cumbria Crystal Hurdle, Cartmel Chase |
| Catterick Bridge | Flat | North Yorkshire Grand National, Catterick Dash, Catterick Bridge Stakes |
| Chelmsford City | Flat | Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes, Chelmsford City Cup, Chelmsford City Racecourse Handicap |
| Cheltenham | Jumps | Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers Hurdle |
| Chepstow | Jumps | Welsh Grand National, Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle, Finale Juvenile Hurdle |
| Chester | Flat | Chester Cup, Dee Stakes, Ormonde Stakes |
| Doncaster | Flat & Jumps | St Leger Stakes, Doncaster Cup, Lincoln Handicap |
| Epsom Downs | Flat | The Derby, The Oaks, Coronation Cup |
| Exeter | Jumps | Haldon Gold Cup, Devon National, Exeter Novices’ Chase |
| Fakenham | Jumps | Fakenham Silver Cup, Easter Monday Chase, West Norfolk Hunt Chase |
| Ffos Las | Jumps | Welsh Champion Hurdle, West Wales National, Ffos Las Summer Plate |
| Fontwell Park | Jumps | National Spirit Hurdle, Southern National |
| Goodwood | Flat | Goodwood Cup, Sussex Stakes, Nassau Stakes |
| Hamilton Park | Flat | Lanark Silver Bell, Glasgow Stakes, Braveheart Handicap |
| Haydock Park | Flat & Jumps | Sprint Cup, Haydock Park Gold Cup, Betfair Chase |
| Hereford | Jumps | Herefordshire National, Lady Dudley Cup, Hereford Cathedral Chase. |
| Hexham | Jumps | Heart of All England Hunter Chase, Hexham Champion Hurdle, Northumberland Plate Day Juvenile Hurdle |
| Huntingdon | Jumps | Peterborough Chase, Huntingdon Gold Cup, Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle |
| Kelso | Jumps | Borders National, Morebattle Hurdle, Premier Kelso Hurdle |
| Kempton Park | Flat & Jumps | King George VI Chase, Christmas Hurdle, Kempton Park Chase |
| Leicester | Flat | Leicester Mercury Stakes, Leicestershire Stakes, King Richard III Stakes |
| Lingfield Park | Flat & Jumps | The Winter Derby, Lingfield Derby Trial, The All-Weather Championships Finals Day |
| Ludlow | Jumps | Ludlow Gold Cup, Forbra Gold Cup, Clive Pavilion Novices’ Chase |
| Market Rasen | Jumps | Summer Plate, Summer Hurdle, Lincolnshire National |
| Musselburgh | Flat & Jumps | Edinburgh Cup, Scottish Sprint Cup, Musselburgh Gold Cup |
| Newbury | Flat & Jumps | Lockinge Stakes, Hennessy Gold Cup (now known as the Ladbrokes Trophy), Challow Novices’ Hurdle |
| Newcastle | Flat & Jumps | Northumberland Plate, Fighting Fifth Hurdle, The Eider Chase |
| Newmarket | Flat | 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Dewhurst Stakes |
| Newton Abbot | Jumps | Lord Mildmay Memorial Handicap Chase, Newton Abbot Racing Club Intermediate Chase, SIS Handicap Hurdle |
| Nottingham | Flat | Further Flight Stakes, Kilvington Stakes, Nottinghamshire Oaks |
| Perth | Jumps | Perth Gold Cup, Highland National, Summer Cup |
| Plumpton | Jumps | Sussex National, Sussex Champion Hurdle, Plumpton Masters Handicap Chase |
| Pontefract | Flat | Pontefract Castle Stakes, Silver Tankard Stakes, Pipalong Stakes |
| Redcar | Flat | Two-Year-Old Trophy, Guisborough Stakes, Zetland Gold Cup |
| Ripon | Flat | Great St. Wilfrid Stakes, Ripon Champion Two-Years-Old Trophy, Ripon Hornblower Conditions Stakes |
| Salisbury | Flat | Sovereign Stakes, Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes, Stonehenge Stakes |
| Sandown Park | Flat & Jumps | Coral-Eclipse, bet365 Gold Cup, Tingle Creek Chase |
| Sedgefield | Jumps | Durham National, Morebattle Hurdle, Durham County Cricket Club Novices’ Chase |
| Southwell | Flat & Jumps | Southwell Marathon Handicap, Southwell Sprint Series Final, Southwell Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race |
| Stratford-on-Avon | Jumps | Champion Hurdle Trial, Champion Chase, Stratford Foxhunters Champion Chase |
| Taunton | Jumps | Kingwell Hurdle, Somerset National, Taunton Handicap Hurdle |
| Thirsk | Flat | Thirsk Hunt Cup, Thirsk Summer Cup, Thirsk Hunt Cup Trial Handicap |
| Uttoxeter | Jumps | Midlands Grand National, Uttoxeter Summer Cup, Staffordshire Plate |
| Warwick | Flat | Classic Chase, Kingmaker Novices’ Chase, Warwick National |
| Wetherby | Jumps | Charlie Hall Chase, Wetherby Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle, West Yorkshire Hurdle |
| Wincanton | Jumps | Kingwell Hurdle, Badger Beers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase, Elite Hurdle |
| Windsor | Flat | Winter Hill Stakes, Royal Windsor Stakes, Midsummer Stakes |
| Wolverhampton | Flat | Lady Wulfruna Stakes, Lincoln Trial Handicap, Wolverhampton Stakes |
| Worcester | Jumps | Worcester Stakes, Grand Annual Chase, EBF Mares’ Novices’ Chase |
| York | Flat | Juddmonte International Stakes, Nunthorpe Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks |
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Irish Racecourses
Ireland boasts a rich and vibrant horse racing culture, with a plethora of esteemed racecourses scattered across its lush countryside. Whether it’s the thundering hooves charging down the home straight at Leopardstown or the scenic backdrop of Galway’s Summer Festival, Irish racing captivates enthusiasts worldwide.
Here, we explore some of Ireland’s most renowned racecourses and the prestigious races that define them, showcasing the nation’s enduring passion for the sport of kings.
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| Racecourse | Code | Key Races |
| Ballinrobe | Flat & Jumps | McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase, McHale Mayo Hurdle, Tote Handicap Hurdle |
| Bellewstown | Flat & Jumps | Guinness Handicap Hurdle, Bellewstown Bowl Handicap Chase, Fast Shipping Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle |
| Clonmel | Flat & Jumps | Clonmel Oil Chase, Clonmel Handicap Hurdle, Clonmel Cup |
| Cork | Flat & Jumps | Munster Oaks Stakes, Kerry Group Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle, Cork Grand National |
| Curragh | Flat | Irish Derby, Irish 2000 Guineas, Irish Oaks |
| Down Royal | Flat & Jumps | JNWine.com Champion Chase, Ladbrokes Champion Chase, Titanic Chase |
| Downpatrick | Jumps | Ulster National, Toals Bookmakers Ulster Grand National, Ladies’ Day at Downpatrick Maiden Hurdle |
| Dundalk | Flat (All-Weather) | Dundalk Stadium Diamond Stakes, Mercury Stakes, Patton Stakes |
| Fairyhouse | Flat & Jumps | Irish Grand National, Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, Ryanair Gold Cup |
| Galway | Flat & Jumps | Galway Plate, Galway Hurdle, Galway Plate Trial |
| Gowran Park | Flat & Jumps | Thyestes Handicap Chase, Champion Stakes, PWC Champion Chase |
| Kilbeggan | Jumps | Midlands National, Kilbeggan Blade Grand National Trial Handicap Chase |
| Killarney | Flat & Jumps | Killarney Grand Live National Handicap Hurdle, Dawn Milk Run Handicap Chase, Killarney National Handicap Steeplechase |
| Laytown | Flat (Beach Racing) | Laytown Strand Races Maiden, Laytown Handicap, Laytown Nursery Handicap |
| Leopardstown | Flat & Jumps | Irish Champion Stakes, Christmas Hurdle, Irish Gold Cup |
| Limerick | Flat & Jumps | Shannon Airport Novice Chase, Greenmount Park Novice Chase, Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase |
| Listowel | Flat & Jumps | Kerry National Handicap Chase, Guinness Handicap Hurdle, Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle |
| Naas | Flat & Jumps | Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle, Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase |
| Navan | Flat & Jumps | Troytown Handicap Chase, Navan Novice Hurdle, Navan Handicap Hurdle |
| Punchestown | Jumps | Punchestown Gold Cup, Punchestown Champion Hurdle, Punchestown Champion Chase |
| Roscommon | Flat & Jumps | Lenebane Stakes, Kilbegnet EBF Handicap Chase, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap |
| Sligo | Flat & Jumps | Guinness Handicap Hurdle, Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, Dermot Hughes Car Sales Novice Handicap Hurdle |
| Thurles | Flat & Jumps | Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, Kinloch Brae Chase, Coolmore NH Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase |
| Tipperary | Flat & Jumps | Tipperary Hurdle, Tipperary Stakes, Concorde Stakes |
| Tramore | Flat & Jumps | Tramore Festival Handicap Hurdle, Tramore Supporters Club Handicap Chase, Holden Plant Rentals Chase |
| Wexford | Jumps | Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies Stakes, Wexford Novice Hurdle, Wexford Beginners Chase |
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Horse Racing Glossary
Here are a list of common horse racing terms explained.
Antepost – Long term betting on big future horse races such as the Grand National or Cheltenham Gold Cup. While you can get big some odds with antepost betting you risk losing your stake if your horse does not run.
Banker – A very confident selection by a tipster or a confident pick which are often used as ‘linch-pins’ in accumulators or multiple bets. Every year punters give out their ‘Cheltenham bankers’.
Best Odds Guaranteed (‘BOG’) – A popular concession where eligible customers are guaranteed to get the best price. Take an early price and if the horse ends up with a bigger starting price (SP) then you will be paid out at the bigger price.
Brought Down – In jumps racing when your horse falls or trips over another stricken horse. Represented by a B in the horse’s form figures.
ITV7 – A popular free to enter horse racing tipping contest run by the ITV Racing channel where you can win big if you can predict the winner of seven races.
Lollipop – Slang term for the winning post as it resembles a giant lollipop.
Money Back Special – Some bookmakers will offer concessions such as money back if your horse falls at the last fence or is beaten by a short distance.
Nap – A tipsters best bet of the day. A banker bet.
On The Bob / Nod – A very close finish where the winner is decided by which horse has it’s head down at the winning post.
Rag – The outsider of the race. The horse with the biggest odds.
Slipped Up – A horse that falls on the flat such as slipping on a bend. Represented by an S in the form figures.
Steamer – A horse that has been heavily backed.
Tissue prices – Early forecast odds given out by newspapers and media.