How to Bet on Horse Racing: A Beginner's Guide to Winning Bets in 2025
- Top Horse Racing bet types and smart strategies
- Key factors for building winning strategies
- Flashscore tools for live data and research
Richard Trenchard
Last updated 28 Oct 2025
Want to join many British punters in learning how to bet on horse racing? The sport is one of the most popular to wager on across the UK, with its rich history and tradition being among the many aspects that drive its popularity. The sport is exciting with each meet that takes place, with various factors to consider. The type of race, the number of horses, the firmness or softness of the ground, form, and much more. That’s not even mentioning the horse or the jockeys and trainers involved.
Table of contents
- 1.Best Bookmakers for Betting on Horse Racing
- 2.The Absolute Basics: How to Read a Racecard
- 3.Your First Wagers: Main Types of Horse Racing Bets
- 4.Understanding Horse Racing Odds And Payouts
- 5.How to Place a Horse Racing Bet: 5-Step Guide
- 6.The Flashscore Advantage: Your Research Tool
- 7.Advanced Betting: Exotic And Combination Bets
- 8.Horse Racing Betting Strategies That Work
Best Bookmakers for Betting on Horse Racing
Check out our list of recommended horse racing bookmakers. These include options that have competitive odds, diverse markets, and ongoing promotions and specials for the biggest events.
SpreadEx isn’t necessarily the biggest name in the UK betting industry; however, it is one of the top options around. They offer a unique experience, ...
Coral offers all new customers a welcome bonus free bet when creating an account through this page, and betting on one of the many sports, competition...
Still a relatively new operator for UK players, 7Bet has emerged as a top option for bettors seeking more. The operator has a host of markets to wager...
Betway is a global sportsbook, operating in many markets across the world. It remains one of the top options for UK bettors, as it provides many posit...
It’s fair to say Betano isn’t one of the most experienced bookmakers in a crowded gambling market. Still, it is a modern and forward-thinking business...
Ladbrokes was founded in 1886, making it one of the oldest names in sports betting worldwide. The company is deep-rooted in UK and Irish sports and be...
Midnite offers competitive betting odds and generous promotions on a long list of sports, competitions, and markets. Today is the perfect time to join...
One of the top names in the UK betting industry, Sky Bet continues to be the go-to choice for many bettors in the UK. They provide access to many of t...
The Absolute Basics: How to Read a Racecard
Horse racing can seem overwhelming for beginners, but understanding the racecard is the first step. Key elements include:
- Horse’s Name & Number
- Jockey’s Silks (Colours)
- Form Figures (e.g., 12-P31) – Numbers indicate finishing positions; letters show special outcomes: “P” (pulled up), “U” (unseated rider), “F” (fell). Dashes separate seasons, and “/” indicates longer breaks.
- Weight & Age – Both can affect performance.
- Trainer & Jockey – Shows who trained and rides the horse.
Your First Wagers: Main Types of Horse Racing Bets
- Win – Bet on a horse to finish first.
- Place – Bet on a horse to finish within a set position (usually 1st–3rd). Payouts are smaller than a win bet.
- Each-Way (E/W) – Split bet: half on the horse to win, half on it to place. Place part pays a fraction of odds if the horse finishes in a placing position.
Understanding Horse Racing Odds And Payouts
- Odds – Represent the perceived probability of a horse winning.
- Fractions (e.g., 5/1) – £5 profit per £1 staked if successful.
- Decimal & American Odds – Decimal odds: stake × odds = return. American odds show +/– numbers.
- Starting Price (SP) vs. Fixed Odds – SP is odds at race start; fixed odds lock in before the race.
- Rule 4 Deductions – Adjustments made if a horse is withdrawn, shortening the field.
How to Place a Horse Racing Bet: 5-Step Guide
Pick Race
Select the race on your betting site.
Select Horse
Click the odds for your chosen horse.
Enter Stake
Enter your stake.
Choose Bet Type
Choose your bet type (Win, Place, or E/W).
Confirm Bet
Confirm your bet and wait for the race result.
Watch Race
Some sportsbooks offer live streaming and cash-out options.
The Flashscore Advantage: Your Research Tool
Flashscore is an excellent resource for horse racing research:
- Detailed Racecards – Study upcoming races worldwide.
- Instant Form Analysis – View a horse’s recent form and statistics.
- Live Odds Comparison – Find the best odds across multiple sportsbooks.
- H2H (Horse vs. Horse) – Compare past meetings between horses to identify betting angles.
Advanced Betting: Exotic And Combination Bets
- Forecast (Exacta) & Tricast (Trifecta) – Predict the first two (forecast) or first three (tricast) horses in order.
- Accumulators & System Bets – Combine multiple horse outcomes in one bet; system bets allow some selections to lose while still receiving a payout.
- Tote & Pool Betting: A system where all bets of a specific type are combined into a central pool. After the event, winnings are shared among bettors who correctly predicted the outcome, with the bookie taking a management fee. You bet alongside other bettors rather than against the bookmaker.
- Ante-Post (Futures) Betting: A bet placed well in advance of a race, sometimes months ahead. Offers potential value but comes with higher risk as events can change before the race.
Horse Racing Betting Strategies That Work
To improve your chances of success, consider these strategies:
- Pre-Race Analysis: Study the form guide, track conditions, race distance, and the statistics of trainers and jockeys to make informed predictions.
- Finding Value: Look for odds that underestimate the true probability of an outcome. Calculate expected value (EV) using: EV = (Probability of Winning × Potential Profit) – (Probability of Losing × Stake).
- Specialisation: Focus on specific race types, distances, or tracks. Expertise in one area can increase your success rate.
- Bankroll Management: Set a budget, avoid chasing losses, and only wager what you can afford to lose.
FAQ
What is the best and safest bet in horse racing?
The best bet for a beginner to horse race betting is the ‘Win’ bet as this is the most simple to understand. None are ‘safe’, as all bets can lose.
What does 'Each-Way' mean and how is it paid?
An ‘Each-Way’ bet allows bettors to place a bet on two outcomes: ‘Win’ and ‘Place’. Two bets will need to be placed, with one stake being equally split on both outcomes. A horse that ‘Wins’ will payout both parts, but if it ‘Places’, then the latter will be rewarded at a fraction of the odds offered for a win.
What is a Forecast bet?
A forecast bet involves bettors placing a wager on which horses they believe will finish first and second in a specific order.
What happens if my horse is a non-runner?
If you’re horse becomes a non-runner, your stake will be returned on a single bet or become void when part of a multiple, with odds adjusted to reflect.
How does Rule 4 work?
Rule 4 is a deduction applied to winning bets when a horse is withdrawn from the race after betting has already commenced. The deduction depends on the odds of the withdrawn horse.
What is the 'SP' in horse racing?
The ‘SP’ reflects the price at which the horse was at as the race started. Any returns will be awarded at these odds.
How can I find winning horse racing tips?
Flashscore can be a perfect resource to make your own horse racing tips. The tool can be used to identify and compare extensive data that can make informed betting decisions.
Is it possible to bet on horse racing professionally?
Yes, it is possible to bet on horse racing professionally. It’s not an easy profession and will require a large bankroll, as well as deep expert knowledge.
What is Tote betting?
Tote betting is a type of betting where all bets of a specific type are pooled, with the winnings distributed equally. A payout (dividend) will only be known after the race, as it depends on how many bet on the right outcome.
Meet the Author
We're delighted to have Richard on board at Flashscore. Offering a wealth of experience, Rich used to be a national newspaper and sports journalist before focussing entirely on the igaming and sports betting spheres. That means he is able to combine super sharp editorial instinct and crisp content with a wealth of information, having worked with some of the biggest names in the business over the past decade. So, when you see Rich's name on an article, you know it's packed information you can trust. Whether it's information on a particular casino, betting terms explained, betting tips, the best betting sites around, or anything else, Rich has got your back.
