From traditional pari-mutuel ticket betting at physical racebooks to fast-paced crypto-powered gambling platforms, horse race wagering has come a long way in the past hundred years.
This guide highlights the top online horse betting sites and apps, breaks down proven strategies, and offers practical tips for both first-time bettors and experienced players looking to maximize returns with every race.
Top 10 US Online Racebooks
Check out the top 10 racebooks in the US below.
10 Best Online Horse Racing Betting Sites Listed
Choosing a reputable, licensed online horse wagering site is crucial if you’re looking for fair odds, large bonuses, and access to the trendiest horse racing events across the globe.
Our team tested over 40 online gambling platforms to bring you unbiased reviews of the industry-leading horse race betting sites in the US.
- BetWhale – Comprehensive Hore Racing Betting Coverage with 50+ US Racetracks Covered
- BetOnline – Online Horse Race Betting Site Known for the Best Value in Futures Odds
- Everygame – Free Bets When Your Horse Race Parlays Lose by One Leg
- Bovada – Earn Comp Points with All Horse Racing Wagers and Climb 14 VIP Levels
- BetUS – Established Online US Racebook With Stellar Reputation
- CoinCasino – Free Bets for Horse Racing for Direct Wagers
- MyBookie – Daily Rebate on Lost Horse Race Bets with No Wagering
- BetNow – Online Crypto Racebook Covering Over 12 Global Harness Racetracks
- SportsBetting.ag – Online Racebook Known for Top-Tier 256-bit Encryption and Geofence for Safe Betting
- BUSR – Established Horse Betting Site Since 1998
Top 10 Horse Race Betting Sites Reviewed
Let’s take a look at the best horse race betting sites in more detail below.
1. BetWhale – Comprehensive Betting Coverage with 50+ US Racetracks Covered
BetWhale covers over 50 US thoroughbred and harness horse racetracks with competitive straight and exotic lines.
Despite being a new horse betting app, this racebook earned a reputation for comprehensive coverage of international events, too, including races across Australia, Canada, the UK, Ireland, China, France, Africa, Japan, and various other countries.
Both beginners and seasoned horse race bettors turn to BetWhale before big local races kick off. From Belterra and Delaware Park to Delta Downs and Fairmount Park to Parx Racing, Thistledown, and Will Rogers Downs, and beyond, BetWhale’s schedule is always packed with top-tier events.
What’s more, the betting interface shows the max win limits for every market. For most US events, the cap sits at $5,000 per race, or $250 per wager.
The limits are slightly lower for some international markets, such as Australia A, the UK, and France racetracks ($100 per wager, $2,000 per race).
You’ll get to choose from a variety of betting options, including Straight, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 5, and Parlay.
This site is particularly good if you’re into multi-betting, as it has separate filters for all combinations of Win, Place, and Show bets.
BetWhale might not be our go-to for Greyhound Races, but it covers the basics with good odds for staple events like Tri-State Evening.
Although there aren’t many horse race betting bonuses, BetWhale offers a robust registration bonus – a 100% deal of up to $1,000 for fiat users, and an alternative 200% deposit match of up to $6,000 for crypto players.
The only major drawback of this promotion is that you’ll need to load at least $100 to claim it, but the rollover is fairly low at 15x, and you can cash out up to $10,000.
BetWhale boasts a versatile banking system that supports all major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and Amex, as well as PayPal and online bank transfers.
Over half a dozen cryptocurrencies are available for instant deposits and withdrawals, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin, Binance USD, Tron, Ripple, Dogecoin, Solana, and more.
What We Like
✔ 50+ racetracks covered
✔ Crypto and fiat payments
✔ Interface with max win limits
What We Don’t Like
✖ Not many bonuses specific to horse race bettors
Casino Games | 1300 |
Min Deposit | $20 |
Welcome Bonus | 125% up to $1,250 in sports betting |
2. BetOnline – Online Horse Race Betting Site Known for the Best Value in Futures Odds
BetOnline is a famed horse betting site founded in 1991. Whether you’re betting on jockeys, futures, or more traditional sports like soccer, basketball, or football, BetOnline has fair odds for all big events in the online gambling world.
One of BetOnline’s strongest points is the coverage of 55+ major thoroughbred racetracks in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, and South Africa.
We love the built-in race time reminders, although we hoped that the race schedule was a bit more intuitively positioned; players have to manually open a horse racing category to reveal the dates of upcoming races tied to the selection.
Horse race betting futures is where BetOnline shines its brightest. When we were testing the site, we spotted that exceptionally sharp odds were listed for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Distaff, and Sprint.
While most online racebooks tend to have great odds for favorites and runner-ups, BetOnline surprised us with above-average lines for underdog betting.
Finding the most popular horse betting markets is made easy by the event showcase windows listed at the top of the racebook segment.
The biggest races are also featured in BetOnline’s sports betting segment under “Horses Daily”.
As far as bonuses go, BetOnline’s sign-up deal is a 50% deposit match of up to $250 in free bets, followed by a 100 free spins no-deposit bonus you can use in BetOnline Casino.
The true value of this bonus lies in the lack of any wagering requirements; you’ll instantly receive your free bets after making an initial payment and have to use them within 30 days.
Regular players love BetOnline’s 15-tier VIP program. All fresh joiners instantly start at the Bronze tier, with Birthday Rewards, Monthly cash Boosts, and Post-Monthly Reload Bonuses unlocked.
Additionally, the site is an excellent pick for crypto users, as it supports over 15 mainstream coins, including Bitcoin, Avalanche, Binance Coin, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Solana, and a dozen others.
What We Like
✔ 55+ US and international horse racetracks covered
✔ Phenomenal horse race futures odds
✔ A 15-tier VIP program with level-up bonuses, faster withdrawals, birthday bonuses, and many other perks
✔ Supports 15+ cryptocurrencies, credit cards, bank transfers, and P2P transfers
What We Don’t Like
✖ Up to $20 fees per transaction, unless you reach the Elite I VIP tier
Casino Games | 1,100+ |
Min Deposit | $10 |
Welcome Bonus | 50% bonus of up to $250 in free bets + 100 free spins with no wagering requirements |
3. Everygame – Promo When Your Horse Race Parlays Lose by One Leg
Everygame, formerly Intertops, is one of the first US online sportsbooks and horse race betting sites. Established in 1996, this platform has lines for over 20 sports gambling categories, a separate horse racing segment, and a live sportsbook.
Everygame also boasts over 400+ slots, poker, and live dealer games if you’re also into casino gaming.
One of the most distinguishing features of EveryGame’s horse betting section is the emphasized focus on US racetracks. Although international events are frequently covered, you’ll find numerous lines for classic straight wagering, exotic markets, options with fixed odds, futures, and more.
Players are offered over 12 crypto and fiat banking methods for deposits and crypto, bank checks, bank wire transfers, and User2User as the most popular cashout gateways.
Average payment limits range from $5 to $20 for deposits and from $100 to $150 for crypto withdrawals, while U2U transfer is the only method where cashouts start at $20.
Maximum limits are almost universally set to $2,500 per week, except for bank checks ($3,000 per week).
You’ll find EveryGame promotions under the “Special Offers” tab. The sign-up bonus is a 50% match of up to $200 with a below-average wagering requirement of just 8x; however, you must use your bonus funds on races with odds of at least -200.
There are plenty of contests for regulars to enjoy, including weekly free bets for live wagering, monthly live betting tournaments, parlay insurance worth up to $50, and the famous Parlay Prince tournament, where you can bag $1,000 by making a more profitable parlay than the top-ranked player of the month.
We love the easy registration process, the well-rounded selection of sports gambling markets, and the competitive odds for US races.
We were also impressed by EveryGame’s referral program, which allows you to earn up to 35% monthly commissions for each friend you bring.
What We Like
✔ Superb odds for US horse racing events
✔ Simplified horse betting parlays and outrights
✔ Parlay insurance, referral bonuses, and monthly events for regular players
✔ A highly versatile online sportsbook covering 20+ sports gambling genres
✔ Minimum deposits start as low as $5
What We Don’t Like
✖ Low maximum deposit and withdrawal limits
Casino Games | 400+ |
Min Deposit | $5 |
Welcome Bonus | 50% bonus of up to $200 |
4. Bovada – Earn Comp Points with All Horse Racing Wagers and Climb 14 VIP Levels
Bovada was launched in 2011 by the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group. It’s a well-rounded gambling site featuring a massive online sportsbook, close to a thousand casino-style games, live streaming poker tournaments, and a dedicated horse race betting section covering 25+ international racetracks.
Louisiana Downs, Mountaineer Park, and Indiana Downs are among the trendiest options most Bovada players pick. Win, Place, and Show betting options are offered on all classic betting lines, while most major events also support more exotic markets like Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double, and Pick 4.
If you prefer offshore racetracks more than domestic ones, you may want to check out Bovada’s odds for UK horse races.
From Chepstow and Beverley to Worcester and Sedgefield, the site covers all popular horse racing events with sharp odds, although betting markets for specific events may be limited to Exacta, Trifecta, and the usual 3-way WPS.
Betting on your favorite horse racing games is a breeze at Bovada. Simply tap your preferred markets to highlight them, and then press “Add to Betslip” at the bottom to confirm.
If you’re having trouble finding the exact races you want to bet on, you can use shortcuts or the built-in Search tool.
The “Trending Events” bar showcases top picks for the day, while the Next 5 Races segment is ideal for browsing last-minute odds.
When it comes to sign-up deals, Bovada’s sports welcome bonus works for horse race betting; you may get 50% bonus of up to $250 in bonus funds if you use Visa or Mastercard for your initial deposit, or a 75% match of up to $750 if you used Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, or other supported cryptocurrencies.
The rollover for regular sports and horse races is just 5x, and what we love is that there are no odds-related limitations.
What we like about Bovada Casino the most is the 14-tier VIP program that’s solely based on scaling the RP conversion rate.
Namely, you’ll earn 40 Reward Points for every dollar placed on straight wagers, and 60 RP per $1 wagered on exotics or multiples. You’ll instantly qualify for the “Starter” level once you register a new profile and get to climb through Pro, All-Star, and Legend tiers.
What We Like
✔ Highly competitive odds for 25+ US-based and international racetracks
✔ Intuitive point-and-click betting UI with multiple shortcuts
✔ No odds-related limitations for using bonus funds on horse races
✔ Dedicated sportsbook with same-game parlays and coverage of 30+ sports
What We Don’t Like
✖ The Virtual Horse Racing segment sometimes doesn’t work
Casino Games | 900+ |
Min Deposit | $5 |
Welcome Bonus | 50% match of up to $250 on the first fiat deposit
75% match of up to $750 on the first crypto deposit |
5. BetUS – Established Online US Racebook With Stellar Reputation
BetUS is a well-established online gambling platform packed with casino-style games, live blackjack and poker rooms, pre-match and live sports betting lines, and a full-fledged racebook covering all major global racetracks for thoroughbred and harness races.
The site is extremely popular for high-limit bettors because many US races have a payout cap set as high as $10,000 ($750 per wager). Even the trendiest international events tend to have big round win limits ranging from $2,500 to $5,000.
The BetUS Loyalty Club is another major strong point of this platform, as it offers various cashout privileges, free tickets to BetUS LP Tournaments, and even permanent deposit boosts from the Platinum Tier and onward.
The highest-ranked players get a 10% bonus on all deposits, a $500 free chip as soon as they reach this tier, pay no fees on cashouts, and get to participate in $5,000 weekly tournaments.
This is one of the first sites we recommend to horse players who also love betting on traditional sports. BetUS is among the best spots for fans of futures betting, as it offers ultra-competitive odds for Football, Baseball, and Basketball futures.
BetUS is known for offering a broad range of flexible payment methods. Most players choose cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash because the minimums start at $10 and maximum caps are as high as $50,000 per transaction.
Other popular options include credit cards like Visa and Mastercard, bank wire transfers, and cash transfers.
What We Like
✔ Covers over 40 thoroughbred and harness racetracks
✔ Two colossal sign-up bonuses with fair playthrough conditions
✔ A 200% crypto sign-up bonus is usable on all sports and horse betting markets
✔ Supports BTC, BCH, LTC, and ETH banking methods
✔ High crypto deposit caps
What We Don’t Like
✖ Users can only withdraw money up to $3,000 daily
Casino Games | 700+ |
Min Deposit | $10 |
Welcome Bonus | 100% sports up to $2,000 + 25% casino bonus up to $625 on the first three fiat deposits of $100 (code: JOIN125)
150% sports up to $1,500 + 50% casino up to $1,250 with a minimum crypto deposit of $100 (code: JOIN200) |
6. CoinCasino – Free Bets for Horse Racing for Direct Wagers
Coin Casino came online in 2024 as a remarkably flexible gambling platform focused on crypto gaming and payments.
Whether you’re into traditional thoroughbred and harness horse races, greyhound races, or virtual horse races, Coin Casino offers a solid range of betting options backed by fair, competitive odds.
Unlike most sites on our list, Coin Casino is a no-KYC horse racing betting crypto site. This means you only need to enter your email address and create a password to register and start playing.
Once you’re in, you’ll find horse betting options for 50+ USA and global racetracks. From major tracks like the Mountaineer Park, York, and Ipswich, to exotic fields like the Brazilian Gavea and the Chilean Concepcion, hundreds of horse races are covered at any given time.
The streamlined filters make betting on horses at CoinCasino intuitive and simple. Toggle the “Next to Jump” filter to view events starting in the next 15 minutes, tap “Today” to see all races scheduled for the day, or open the “Upcoming” tab to browse the full racing calendar.
Unfortunately, there are no filters for horse betting futures, as they’re typically listed alongside regular races.
Coin Casino is just as big on harness horse race betting. The app has lines for all major races kicking off in Addington, Redcliffe, Western Fair, Northfield, Yonkers, Monticello, and many others.
Beginners and seasoned racing fans adore Coin Casino’s welcome bonus, as it offers a massive 200% match of up to $30,000 plus up to 50 FS for Hacksaw’s Wanted Dead or a Wild slot.
Regular players are offered $10 in free bets for horse racing by wagering $30 on any races with odds of -200 or more.
One of the biggest advantages CoinCasino has over contemporary alternatives is the unbeatable support for crypto payments.
You can choose from 20+ coins, including Bitcoin, Solana, Ethereum, USD Coin, Ripple, Tron, and Ethereum, as well as numerous memecoins like Pepe, Bonk, Shiba Inu, Floki, and Polkadot.
What We Like
✔ 20+ cryptocurrency payment methods
✔ Covers dozens of exotic horse betting markets in South America, Asia, and Europe
✔ Well-polished, simple interface with intuitive filters
What We Don’t Like
✖ Doesn’t accept traditional fiat payment methods
✖ The sign-up bonus has a steep playthrough requirement
Casino Games | 4,000+ |
Min Deposit | $10 |
Welcome Bonus | 200% bonus of up to $30,000 + up to 50 Free Spins for Wanted Dead or a Wild |
7. MyBookie – Daily Rebate on Lost Horse Race Bets with No Wagering
MyBookie is a respected online sportsbook, casino, and horse betting site that’s been pushing the bar of online gambling since 2014.
Boasting over 1,800 casino-style games, an action-packed live sports gambling segment, and a dedicated racebook that covers over 50 international tracks, MyBookie bears all the markings of a versatile gambling platform.
The site is among the first to release sharp odds for horse racing futures and has competitive lines for daily races across Europe, the US, Australia, China, and South Africa.
Although MyBookie doesn’t dive into obscure markets the way CoinCasino does, you’ll find options for all major thoroughbred races happening in Evangeline Downs, Finger Lakes, Pimlico, Thistledown, Will Rogers Downs, Delaware Park, and Belterra if local jockeys are your favorites.
If you prefer races happening overseas, MyBookie covers Yarmouth, Perth, York, Bath, and Newton Abbot in the United Kingdom; Tipperary in Ireland; Happy Valley in China; Compiegne in France, Greyville in Africa, and numerous high-profile race courses in Sweden like Aby, Solvalla, and Hagmyren.
MyBookie greets all newcomers with a 50% first deposit match of up to $1,000 and a free $10 casino chip. The bonus funds carry a 10x rollover while the casino chip has a super-low playthrough requirement of just 20x.
One of the most popular bonuses offered to horse bettors exclusively is a daily rebate, paid in cash for all lost wagers placed on standard (up to 3%) and exotic (up to 8%) tracks.
You’ll have over 12 payment methods to choose from, including Visa, Person 2 Person, Mastercard, bank transfers, and popular cryptos like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Binance Coin, Solana, and half a dozen others.
What We Like
✔ Daily rebate with no wagering requirements
✔ Competitive odds for local and offshore horse racing events
✔ Rapid cashouts with no hidden fees
✔ Supports 9 cryptocurrencies with $20 minimum deposit limits
✔ Known for offering superb live sports betting lines and props
What We Don’t Like
✖ Doesn’t accept traditional fiat payment methods
✖ The sign-up bonus has a steep playthrough requirement
Casino Games | 1,800+ |
Min Deposit | $20 |
Welcome Bonus | 50% first deposit bonus of up to $1,000 + $10 free casino chip |
8. BetNow – Online Crypto Racebook Covering Over 12 Global Harness Racetracks
All horse race betting apps on our list are packed with options for thoroughbred betting. BetNow stands out with consistent coverage of 12+ major harness racetracks spread across all compass points.
If you’re looking for the most competitive US harness horse betting odds, BetNow Racebook features strong betting lines for events at Buffalo Raceway, Harrington Raceway, The Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Scioto Downs, and several others.
The platform also covers popular international harness races in Sweden, Australia, and Canada.
Fans of thoroughbred betting have even more opportunities, from Belterra Park, Delaware Park, Evangeline Downs, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Pimlico, and Thistledown in the United States to the Canadian Assiniboia Downs, the UK Baths, Perth, Yarmouth, and York, the Irish Tipperary, South African Greyville, New Zealand’s Riccarton, and beyond.
All the trendiest racing markets are covered when it comes to major US events, including Straight, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 5, and various combinations of parlay betting.
Slightly narrower options are usually in place for UK, AU, and CAD racetracks, but you’ll usually have at least Exacta and Trifecta to lean on.
BetNow Racebook offers three alternative registration bonuses. If you’re using Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash on your first deposit, you can claim a 200% bonus of up to $200 with the code CRYPTO200; the rollover is a bit steep at 18x, but the minimum deposit is just $10.
If you deposit at least $10 with a credit card or Money Order, you can bag a 150% bonus of up to $225 with 15x rollover and the code BN150.
Make a fiat deposit of $20 or more and use the code BN100 to claim a full deposit match bonus of up to $500 with reduced wagering of 12x. Additionally, BetNow offers up to 10% weekly rebate on all horse wagering losses.
BetNow offers a decently well-rounded banking system, featuring Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Person 2 Person, Bitcoin, and Bitcoin Cash as its most popular methods.
Crypto payment limits range from $10 to $40,000, while fiat limits are in a bit narrower range between $20 and $1,000.
What We Like
✔ Three alternative sign-up deals with 12-18x playthrough conditions
✔ Instant fee-free payments with Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash
✔ 12+ harness racetrack coverage, 18+ thoroughbred racetracks
✔ Up to 10% weekly rebate
✔ Frequently hosts contests like King of the Hill, Grand Slam, Weekly NBA betting competitions, and seasonal events
What We Don’t Like
✖ Doesn’t support many fiat methods outside of credit cards
Casino Games | 100+ |
Min Deposit | $10 |
Welcome Bonus | 200% bonus of up to $200 (crypto)
100% bonus of up to $500 (fiat) |
9. Sportsbetting.ag – Online Racebook Known for Top-Tier 256-bit Encryption and Geofence for Safe Betting
SportsBetting.ag was established in 2011 and is known for offering no-deposit horse betting bonuses with ultra-low playthrough conditions.
It’s a great spot for beginner bettors and low-rollers as it offers a sleek, highly intuitive interface, and flexible payment limits, but it also caters to serious players with a 15-tier VIP program, extensive coverage of 30+ international racetracks, and up to 9% rebates for exotic bets (4% for classic Win-Place-Show).
SporsBetting.ag Racebook offers highly competitive odds for most US thoroughbred events, covering Delta Downs, Thistledown, Will Rogers, Horseshoe, Delaware Park, Pimlico, and various other big-league racing tracks.
The platform’s coverage of global events is above average, as it offers standard and exotic lines for Irish, Chinese, British, Australian, and New Zealand horse racing events, but greyhound and harness tracks offer limited variety.
Besides the daily rebate program, SportsBetting offers bettors a solid 50% deposit bonus of up to $250 on the initial payment of $10 or more.
You can use credit cards, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, USD Coin, Discover, Amex, and several other popular methods for deposits, while checks, P2P, Money Order, and crypto are the most used cashout gateways.
High-end security is SportsBetting’s strongest suit. The site is surrounded by a robust firewall reinforced with a high-quality geofence, and all data is encrypted with 256-bit technology.
What We Like
✔ Accepts Bitcoin and Ethereum payments starting as low as $10
✔ Has a 15-tier VIP program with perks like prioritized withdrawals, exclusive bonuses, and cash boosts
✔ Supports a broad variety of fiat and crypto deposit and withdrawal methods
✔ Covers over 30 international and US racetracks
✔ One of the longest-running online racebooks in the industry
What We Don’t Like
✖ Variable cashout fees
Casino Games | 1,000+ |
Min Deposit | $10 |
Welcome Bonus | 50% first deposit bonus of up to $250 |
10. BUSR – Established Horse Betting Site Around Since 1998
As a company, BUSR has been around since 1998, but as an online horse betting and sportsbook site, it was established in 2014.
This platform is among the few that cover several hundred international racetracks, from premier venues like Aintree, Canterbury Park, Albuquerque, Aqueduct, and Charles Town, to more obscure tracks like Oviken, Bollnas, Phar Lap, Te Rapa, and Ostersund.
While most of these are for thoroughbred betting, over half a dozen harness tracks are up for betting, including Yonkers Raceway, Hawthorne, Meadows, Saratoga, and Hoosier Park.
Debatably, the biggest draw of BUSR’s Racebook is the unique sign-up offer carrying a free $150 chip. To claim it, you only need to deposit at least $100 and play through a minimum of $500 out of pocket over 30 days.
When you complete this task, BUSR will load your wallet with $150 in horse betting credits, which only need to be played through once to become cashable.
BUSR offers a highly flexible banking system that allows you to use Mastercard, Visa, Amex, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and P2P transfers.
All deposits are processed instantly, while cashouts with BTC are usually approved within 2-3 business days. Bitcoin is the trendiest choice as it carries no withdrawal fees. Unfortunately, international and bank wire transfers come with $15 to $35 fees.
On the upside, BUSR offers a remarkably sleek betting interface, featuring detailed race listings, a built-in schedule, an onboard game search tool, race time reminders, and a streamlined betslip feature.
What We Like
✔ Fee-free Bitcoin cashouts
✔ Covers over 200 US and international horse racing events
✔ Solid casino library filled with over 400 games
✔ Accepts all major bank cards, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash
What We Don’t Like
✖ Bank Wire Transfers and online banking methods incur $15 to $35 fees
Casino Games | 400+ |
Min Deposit | $10 |
Welcome Bonus | Deposit $100 and wager $500 to claim a $150 chip for horse race betting |
How To Bet On Horses?
Once you’ve found an online horse race betting site with the odds, markets, and promos that suit your needs, you only need to sign up for a free account and fund your balance to start placing bets:
Step 1: Choose a Horse Race Betting Site
Visit the official website of your chosen online racebook and tap “Register/Join”
Step 2: Register
Provide the required details, including your name, date of birth, address, and mobile phone number, create a password and repeat it, and validate your email address through the verification link sent to your inbox
Step 3: Deposit & Play
Log in to your account, visit the Cashier, and make your first deposit.
Beginner’s Guide to Online Horse Race Betting & Gambling Types
Betting on horse races is simple once you know the basics. Start by picking a race and selecting the type of bet, such as Win, Place, Show, or an exotic like Exacta or Trifecta.
The next step involves choosing the horses you want to back and entering your stake. Online racebooks make this process easy with dropdown menus, bet slips, and filters by race time or track.
Once your ticket looks right, confirm the wager and wait for the race to go off.
Straight Betting
Straight betting is the simplest form of horse race wagering. It revolves around predicting the position of one runner with Win, Place, and Show options.
Most online racebooks offer clearly labeled selections for each bet type (e.g. W, P, and S boxes organized in columns), making it simple to choose your preference before submitting a ticket.
The “Win” bet is placed when you believe the runner will finish in first position. The winning condition of a “Place” bet is for the runner to finish first or second. It’s less risky than “Win” bets, but offers lower payouts.
The “Show” bet allows your runner to finish first, second, or third. It’s the safest type of Straight betting and is ideal for beginner bettors.
Exotic Betting
Exotic betting lines revolve around wagering on the order of the finishing runners. The most common types include Exacta (first and second), Trifecta (the first three), and Superfecta (the first four).
These wagering categories are often listed next to the “Straight” group. However, some horse race betting platforms like EveryGame don’t use any special titles for exotic bets; they simply list them under “Race Winner” and then provide additional betting options.
Parlay Betting
You make a parlay when you select multiple horse race betting events and place them under a single wager. In most cases, you can only include events from the same track on a given day.
Before building your parlay ticket, online horse race betting platforms let you set the wager type, including Win, Place, Show, or combinations like Win/Place and Win/Show. All selected outcomes must win, meaning if even one leg fails, the bet is lost.
Parlay insurance promos, such as the ones offered at EveryGame, can be a huge help in such situations.
Many online horse gambling platforms also offer old-school multi-betting markets, such as Daily Double, Pick 3, and Pick 5.
Horse Race Betting Strategies
Now that you know how to bet on horses, you may want to consider experimenting with tried and tested horse race betting systems.
In this section, we’ll break down practical horse betting strategies designed to help you stretch your bankroll, manage risk effectively, and boost long-term profitability. You’ll also learn how to combine different types of bets, like mixing straight and exotic wagers or structuring multi-race tickets, to take advantage of higher payouts.
Betting Distance
The Betting Distance is one of the fundamental strategies for efficient horse race gambling. At its core, it revolves around tracking the performance of runners across different betting distances, and then backing the horses in races that are suited for their stats.
The first step is getting familiar with the length of the tracks you’d normally bet on. For instance, popular thoroughbred racetracks like Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, and Belmont Park are about one mile long, while Harness tracks are usually 0.5 to a mile long. Here’s a short list of the most popular racecourses and their length.
- Preakness Stakes: 1.2 miles
- Kentucky Derby: 1.2 miles
- Belmont Stakes: 1.5 miles
- Queen Mother Champion Chase: 2 miles
- Champion Hurdle: 2.05 miles
- Stayers’Hurdle: 2.9 miles
- Cheltenham Golden Cup: 3.3 miles
- The Grand National: 4.3 miles
The next step is evaluating how individual horses perform at various distances. Sprinters often have explosive speed and are frequently listed among the favorites, making them strong Win candidates, but they might flop at longer tracks.
In contrast, consistent runners with stable performance across races are more reliable picks for Show, Place, and multi-leg wagers.
There are a few key takeaways to consider before applying this strategy:
Find the racing history of the runner you want to back.
Watch their races and observe their pacing. Compare multiple races and determine at which distances they perform the best.
Research the trainers of horses you want to back. Some specialize in sprint courses, others train their runners for long-distance runs.
Betting on Jockeys
Betting on jockeys is a strategy that focuses on the rider’s track record, rather than just the horse’s form. In short, it means trusting the experience, instincts, and tactical decisions of the jockey. Their judgment in timing, positioning, and pacing often determines the outcome in tight races.
Not all online horse betting sites offer details like in-the-money percentages (ITM) or win rates for each jockey, so your best bet is to pull data from credible sites like Equibase and Racing Post. A quick search from our team revealed the following stats that you can easily find on the web:
- Flavien Prat: 1,040 starts, 230 wins, 192 places, 136 shows
- Irad Ortiz, Jr.: 1,549 starts, 327 wins, 267 places, 212 shows
- Tyler Gaffalione: 1,478 starts, 250 wins, 218 places, 208 shows
- Luis Saez: 1,443 starts, 235 wins, 213 places, 182 shows
- Dylan Davis: 1,128 starts, 213 wins, 169 places, and 148 shows
Additionally, look at how often a jockey partners with the same horse or trainer. Long-standing teams often point to steady, high-level performance.
In contrast, jockeys constantly switching rides may offer better value in Place or Show bets rather than Win markets.
The most important elements to making the Jockey Betting strategy effective include:
Researching the jockey’s yearly performance. Check how often they’d win, place, or show, and compare the number to their total starts.
Learn which jockeys are the usual favorites for big events. This info can come in handy when you need a safe bet to complete a parlay or use a time-limited bonus, but it’s also a great introduction to proper futures betting.
Follow up-and-coming jockeys. The weakest odds are usually listed for favorites because most everyone expects them to win. New players (underdogs) sometimes turn the tables and can bag you huge returns with minimal investments.
Each-Way Betting
Each-way betting is a risk mitigation strategy and one of the more profitable forms of horse gambling arbitrage. The core of this approach is to place two separate bets with similar outcomes on the same runner.
The most suitable markets for each-way betting are straight wagers, meaning Win, Place, and Show.
It’s impossible to place two “Win” bets on the same runner. However, some sportsbooks like BetUS allow you to combine Win, Place, and Show variants for any horse.
Technically speaking, if a horse “wins”, it automatically clears the winning condition of “Place” (be in the top 2), and “Show” (be in the top 3).
Still, it’s crucial to see how your preferred gambling site defines these markets and how they apply to the specific race you’re betting on.
The biggest advantage of each-way betting is capitalizing on the runner you predicted would win. The drawback of the each-way gambling strategy is that you’re doubling (or tripling) down on very close outcomes.
You could’ve picked a different horse to mitigate a larger chunk of the risk, or string multiple bets into an accumulator (parlay).
This betting system is all about balancing your wagers correctly. If you initially wanted to bet $30 on the winner, you can split this stake into $20 for Win, $5 for Show, and $5 place, or simply place three $10 wagers if you’re unsure.
Accumulator
What US players call “Parlays” is an “Accumulator” in the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and many European countries.
While the terms sound different, they are synonymous with “multi bets” and work the same. You take multiple wagers on different outcomes on one ticket, and back them with a single wager.
Accumulators require in-depth horse racing knowledge and are quick to flop when approached blindly. Every selection on your acca bet must pass the winning condition, else the wager will lose.
You can usually make accumulators with two or three different outcomes, depending on the racebook you’re betting from, while the maximum limit is defined by the number of races scheduled for the specific racetrack you’ve chosen (e.g. you can’t mix Remington Park Shows with Hoosier Park Harness Places).
The main reason why accumulator strategies are so popular is that multi-bets always offer significantly higher profits compared to backing the same selections with individual stakes, but the risk is also much greater.
Keep an eye out for online racebooks that offer accumulator boosts. For instance, CoinCasino is famous for hosting the recurring ACCA Boost Club, where all parlayed bets receive passive boosts from 3% to 40%, depending on how many selections are included.
If you can’t find more than 8 races, you can combine Win, Place, and Show bets to reach 14 selections required for the full 40% boost.
Alternatively, gamblers inexperienced with multi-bets may want to start at a slower pace at EveryGame, where up to 10 players are offered Parlay Insurance of up to $50.
Season/Conditions Betting
Season and conditions betting focuses on how weather and track surfaces affect race outcomes, often more than the horses themselves. It’s not as widely used as Dutching or Accumulators, but it’s one of the best plug-in strategies for gamblers looking to sharpen their edge.
While severe conditions like snowstorms often halt races altogether, muddy and rain-soaked tracks remain fair game, and they create a different racing environment.
Most gamblers check the weather report for the entire week when big races are scheduled, because some horses struggle in muddy and slippery terrain.
Racebooks do adjust the odds under such circumstances, but what’s more important is that weather-related disadvantages don’t affect all runners equally.
Nimble, agile horses may avoid a trip, especially if they’re guided by a jockey who thinks quickly on their feet. In contrast, large horses known for explosive power may panic and go against the mud instead of trying to push through.
Apart from weather, it’s important to observe the standard specifications of the racetrack under “normal” circumstances. Hard tracks tend to be super-dry, making them less than ideal for runners accustomed to soft, fast courses.
This ties directly into local familiarity; jockeys who train daily at specific racecourses know how those tracks behave under pressure, especially during seasonal changes.
Perfect examples of this are UK tracks like Hamilton, Kepton, and Newbury, where humid weather is constantly softening the soil.
Dutching Strategy
The Dutching system is a textbook case of risk management, where you back multiple runners to soften the blow and potentially secure small profits as long as one of your bets win.
Unlike Place or Show bets, which rely on a single horse finishing near the top, Dutching lets you spread the risk across multiple runners in the same race. This opens the doors for combinations of Win, Place, and Show bets or backing both the favorite and underdogs.
You’re free to adapt the Dutching approach to your risk appetite, but it’s typically used to negate as much risk as possible. It’s often used when races don’t have clear-cut winners, or for horse betting futures where several popular candidates share close odds.
The biggest part of making the Dutching system effective is calculating how much you should bet to make a profit. While this can be done manually, free Dutching calculator tools are available on the web and many online racebooks.
For example, let’s assume you want to back a high-end race with $1,000 with three favorites to win. Let’s assume the most likely favorite has odds of +200 to win, the second runner has +350, and the last one has +500:
- First horse wins = you’ll get $200 per $100 wagered. Bet $440, and you’ll win $880 profit.
- Second horse wins = you’ll get $350 per $100 wagered. Bet $290, and you’ll win $1,015 profit.
- Third horse wins = You’ll get $500 per $100 wagered. Bet $270, and you’ll win $1,350 profit.
In all three cases, you’d get your profit plus your original stake, meaning that you’d reap returns of $1,320 for the first outcome, $1,305 for the second, or $1,620 for the third.
However, given that you’ve used Dutching and had to pay for all 3 wagers, you’d effectively have to invest $1,000 and win only one of the three bets. Fortunately, each win delivers a bigger payout than your total $1,000 investment, so a single success covers the entire play and nets a solid return.
Horse Betting Odds
Horse betting odds and wagering types are similar to standard sports. You can bet on the winner of a match (Straight), back specific spots (Win, Place, Show), and predict the exact positions of runners in a given race (Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta), or place multiple predictions under a single wager (Parlay). Let’s explain these betting types with concrete examples and real-life odds.
Win, Place, Show Odds
At the time we tested BetUS, the runner Doha had odds of +400 to Win Race 3 on the York Stadium, and +135 to Show (finish first or second). This means that you’d win $400 for every $100 wagered on Doha winning the race, or $135 per $100 wagered if you backed the Show market.
Futures
We’ll use MyBookie’s horse racing futures for the Breeders Cup to illustrate how futures odds work.
Fierceness is the favorite to win the Cup, with odds of +700, meaning you’d win $700 per $100 wagered for a correct prediction. The second favorite is Forever Young, with odds of +800 ($800 per $100 wagered), while White Barrio and Sovereignity share the odds of +1,000 to win ($1,000 per $100 wagered).
Single Matchups
Some racebooks offer special lines for high-profile events. For example, MyBookie’s listings for The Preakness Stakes include dozens of 1v1 matchups, such as Sandman at -150 and Goal Oriented at +110. If you backed Sandman, you’d have to wager $150 to win $100. If you were to bet on Goal Oriented, you’d win $110 per $100 wagered.
Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta
The odds for exotic bets like Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta aren’t displayed before the race. That’s because these wagers operate on a pari-mutuel system, and your payout depends on how much money is in the pool and how many bettors hit the correct combination.
After the race, the total pool (minus the track’s takeout) is divided proportionally among all winning tickets.
For example, if the Trifecta pool hits $5,000 and ten bettors nail the result, each share is weighted by how much they wagered. A $10 ticket gets more than a $2 one.
Since odds aren’t fixed, payouts can vary wildly, sometimes offering hundreds or even thousands to 1 on long-shot combinations.
How We Picked The Best Online Racebooks
Every racebook on this list was tested during live betting windows across major US and international tracks.
We were focused on sites that offer robust bonuses and promotions with fair wagering requirements, competitive odds for major thoroughbred and harness races in the United States and globally, responsive customer support channels, and flexible payment gateways that you can rely on.
In this segment, we’ll dissect the core criteria we followed while researching and scrutinizing the online gambling platforms until we narrowed our list to the 10 best horse racing betting sites.
Bonuses and Promotions
Horse race wagering is dynamic and fairly risky if you’re always gambling out of pocket. That’s why the best horse race betting sites offer various promotions to give you more options, whether it be a bet insurance, weekly rebate, or chips you’d use instead of your real money balance.
MyBookie is a perfect example of a horse race betting platform loaded with high-value bonuses.
There’s a 50% bonus of up to $1,000 for newcomers; up to 8% daily horse wager rebate with no wagering requirements, sports re-up bonuses (that count horse race betting), and the referral program to give you bonus funds without requiring any deposits.
BetUS is also a great pick if you’re hunting for the best horse race betting promotions. There are two alternative sign-up bonuses, each offering bonus funds for all sports and casino-style games, as well as big reload promotions and regular contests.
Horse Race Betting Odds and Coverage
Hundreds of horse race events kick off daily, and it’s quite common for two dozen races to run simultaneously every couple of minutes. We looked for online gambling sites that cover all main racecourses and were particularly interested in racebooks that cover all American racetracks.
Sites like BetOnline, BetWhale, and BetUS stand out the most in this field, as all routinely offer lines for over 20 racing events at any given time while consistently following 50+ racetracks on all continents.
Given that thoroughbred races are, by far, the most popular gambling options among horse bettors, we looked for sites that have the most competitive odds for events in top-rated spots like Belmont Park, Belterra, Evangeline Downs, Gulfstream Park, Pimlico, Penn National, and Horseshoe Indianapolis.
BetNow is one of our top recommendations for fans of harness horse racing. The site offers excellent odds for American harness tracks, covering all major fields like Buffalo Raceway, Hoosier Park, Northfield Park, Meadows, and Scioto Downs.
Beyond the extent of coverage and odds, we also looked for sites where you can place more advanced wagers than the usual Win, Place, and Show. All of our top picks support straight, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, Pick 5, and Parlay betting markets for major US races.
Customer Support
We only included racebooks that offer responsive, clearly accessible customer support across multiple channels. Live chat must appear on every page, and we also appreciate phone support and fast email replies.
We specifically chose online gambling sites that offered consistently high-quality service across weeks of testing.
We also checked how quickly questions were resolved and whether support agents could handle account, bonus, and technical inquiries from non-registered users. All 10 of our picks passed these tests.
Beyond the usual email support, chatbots, and ticketing systems, most sites we reviewed also include direct phone lines and active social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram.
Payment Methods
The extent of payment method coverage tells you how easy (or difficult) it is to fund your horse betting adventures online.
The sites we reviewed all offer a strong lineup of popular banking gateways, from credit and debit cards to online banking, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies, but each site offers a different selection of methods with different limits.
BetWhale is one of the most versatile picks on our list, featuring over 14 trendy payment options, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, online banking, and 9+ cryptocurrencies.
Coin Casino is miles ahead of the rest when it comes to crypto payments. It supports over 20 cryptocurrency tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Ripple, Tron, Doge, Shiba Inu, Pepe, Bonk, Polkadot, and various other cryptocurrencies.
On the downside, this site doesn’t work with direct fiat payments.
SportsBetting.ag is a textbook all-rounder, offering Discover, Visa, Amex, bank checks, Player 2 Player Transfer, Money Order, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, and USD Coin.
It’s important to note that nearly all online racebooks charge withdrawal fees in one way or the other. BetOnline, for instance, may charge you up to $20 per transaction, but you won’t have to pay any cashout fees if you reach the Elite VIP rank.
When using crypto-only sites like CoinCasino, you’ll have to pay gas fees even though the platform itself doesn’t charge them.
Withdrawal Times
Getting paid quickly is one of the hallmarks of a reputable online racebook. With dozens of races kicking off every few minutes, you’ll want to ensure you have enough money to place bets on your favorites.
We prioritized sites that offer consistently quick withdrawals and reasonable limits. EveryGame allows you to withdraw as little as $20 with User2User transfer if you don’t mind waiting up to 3-4 business days, or you can speed up the process if you’re using Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, or Litecoin.
Bovada is one of the fastest online racebooks on our list, where withdrawals with Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Tether are processed within an hour, provided that you’ve passed the KYC check.
EveryGame handles crypto cashouts within 48 hours. On the downside, this platform can take over 10 business days to process online bank transfers or check requests.
User Friendliness
We focused heavily on platforms with clean layouts, responsive design, simple horse race betting filters, and intuitive bet slips. Whether you’re on a mobile device or desktop, you should be able to get your wager in with minimal taps or clicks.
A site that stands out with a particularly well-polished UI is BetOnline. It rocks several innovative filters like “Next to Jump” to complement the live-updated notifications for upcoming games.
Its straightforward bet slip feature makes placing wagers as easy as tapping the outcome you want to back.
We highly recommend BetNow to newbies, as this site boasts a clean, highly navigable design with self-explanatory shortcuts and filters.
VIP Program
VIP programs and “clubs” come in a variety of different shapes at US online racebooks. Some sites like Bovada have loyalty schemes based on Reward Points that can be redeemed for free betting money.
Other sites, such as BetOnline and SportsBetting.ag have tiered VIP programs with more substantial perks, including level-up chips, prioritized cashouts, reduced (and later eliminated) withdrawal fees, and exclusive bonuses.
We chose sites where placing bets and making deposits are the only requirements for progressing through the VIP ranks.
Popular Horse Racing Betting Sites’ Bonuses
Apart from competitive odds and diverse market coverage, the focal point of our testing efforts was finding online racebooks with the most valuable promotions for new and existing members.
All platforms on our list of the best horse racing betting apps offer solid welcome bonuses and at least one re-up bonus, while horse race-specific promos, rebate deals, and no-deposit bonuses are just as common as high-roller promos and bet insurance.
Let’s dissect how the most popular horse race betting promos work and where you can find them.
No Deposit Bonus
No deposit bonuses typically award free bets or racebook chips when you complete the required action, whether it be signing up for your first-ever profile, wagering a certain amount of money out of your balance, or referring friends.
In all cases, you won’t need to make a new deposit to claim them.
Referral bonuses are among the most straightforward no deposit offers. At MyBookie, you can earn 200% of your friend’s first deposit, up to $200, when they sign up using your referral code.
Everygame takes a different approach, offering up to 35% in monthly commission on the activity of each referred player.
A free chip is another popular NDB type. CoinCasino offers a $10 free bet, and all you have to do is bet $30 on your preferred horse racing events. While this promo does require money, it doesn’t require a new real money deposit.
Welcome Bonus
Welcome or sign-up bonuses are one-time offers exclusively available to new players. They typically apply a huge boost to your initial deposit and award free bets or bonus money.
BetUS stands out with a 125% bonus of up to $2,650 spread across your first 3 deposits. It should be noted that this is a welcome pack comprised of a 100% sports betting bonus of up to $2,000 and a 25% casino bonus of up to $625, making it a unique deal in this field.
BetWhale allows you to choose between two welcome bonus offers. If you made your first deposit with credit cards or any other fiat methods, you’ll get a 100% bonus of up to $1,000; if you used crypto, you’ll receive a 200% deposit boost of up to $6,000.
Both promos have a moderately low playthrough requirement of 15x.
Reload Bonus
Reload bonuses are usually structured as deposit match boosts or free bet deals that become unlocked after you have either cleared or skipped the welcome bonus.
BetUS is our favorite destination for re-up promotions. Several options are regularly available, with the 100% crypto reload bonus of up to $1,500 being the most popular one.
The site also offers a unique re-up promo where you’ll get free play points (FPs) that can be spent on all horse races and specific sports events (football and basketball mostly).
Cashback Bonus
What online sportsbooks and casinos call “cashback” is what’s usually named “Rebate” at online horse race betting sites.
The concepts are similar, but Horse Rebates usually have zero hidden conditions, meaning no rollover, minimum wagering requirements, or qualifying odds coefficients.
Depending on how frequently you’re playing, you may want to look into Daily and Weekly Horse Rebate types. MyBookie offers from 3% to 8% daily rebate on horse wages, while BetNow offers up to 10% weekly rebate.
In both cases, the rebate percentage scales with the racetrack category you’ve bet on (lowest for A Category straight bets, highest for B and C exotic wagers like Trifecta).
Risk Free Bet Bonus
A risk-free bet, sometimes referred to as bet insurance, is a type of promotion that protects your real money wager by offering a refund if your bet loses. This refund typically comes in the form of site credit or a free bet, and it’s only valid up to a specific amount set by the operator.
EveryGame is our top recommendation for players looking to protect their horse race parlay bets. The site holds a weekly contest where 20 players who’ve lost a horse race betting accumulator by precisely one leg get $50 in free bets.
High Roller Bonus
High-roller bonuses are built to give you a huge boost on large deposits. They’re usually offered once per month and are comparable to welcome deposit bonuses in terms of bonus size. These promotions usually have higher wagering conditions than other bonus types.
CoinCasino has the largest registration bonus on our list, offering a 200% match of up to a whopping $30,000 + up to 50 casino free spins on your first deposit, but it technically also qualifies as a high-roller bonus because its playthrough requirement sits at 60x.
Horse Race Betting Tips
There’s more to horse betting than just picking the fastest name on the card. A few simple habits like checking track conditions, watching for horses that thrive on certain courses, and keeping your bankroll in check can make a huge difference.
This section covers the most overlooked yet impactful tips in horse racing, like managing your bankroll, spotting local track experts, and knowing when to fade the favorite.
Check Track Conditions
Track conditions have a bigger impact on horse performance than most bettors realize. A dry, firm track suits speed runners who like to break early and hold the lead, while a muddy or sloppy surface favors stronger, more balanced runners who can handle muddy, difficult terrain.
Given that many online racebooks typically don’t offer regular updates on track condition changes, you can keep tabs on the most recent shifts by visiting Equibase for US tracks, Racing Post for UK racecourses, and Sky Racing for Australian and New Zealand tracks.
Apart from featuring detailed reports about the track condition itself, these third-party resources also provide updates on jockey changes and horse injuries, which are equally helpful for making smart betting decisions.
Look Out For Course Specialists
A Course Specialist is a horse that consistently performs well on specific tracks. Whether it is due to specialized training, terrain preference, or familiarity, some horses feel at home at racecourses where others struggle to adapt.
The best way to spot one is by checking the horse’s previous race history and seeing where it’s run well before. Even if you’ve already made up your mind about which horse to back, it’s worth looking into lesser-known contenders, as many underdogs are course specialists in the making.
Course familiarity or preference doesn’t guarantee a win, but it often tips the scales in Place or Show markets. In races where the field is evenly matched, that comfort level can be the difference between cashing in and missing out.
Bankroll Management
Horse racing is fast and constant. Races run every few minutes, often with dozens of markets available at once. It’s easy to fall into a trap of chasing action across tracks just to avoid missing a good bet.
Set a limit on how much money you can spend per day, week, or month to avoid burning through more money than you can afford to lose. If following this rule proves difficult, most online racebooks we covered offer customizable responsible gaming tools that can help you achieve the same effects.
Additionally, use bonuses and play with the racebook’s money when testing unfamiliar markets or placing risky bets.
Don’t Always Back The Favorite
Not always backing the favorite is a 2-in-1 tip with two implications. First, the favorite is never guaranteed to win. Favorites are statistically most likely to win, but that’s just one horse in a volatile race where any runner can have a lucky break at any time. When you look at the stats of big events, repeat winners are few and far between.
Secondly, favorites almost always offer the lowest payouts, even in races where the outcome feels wide open. That means you’re risking more for less, and often without a solid edge.
Consider your other options because underdogs tend to win more often than casual bettors realize. Rely on favorites when you’re Dutching, building accumulators, and whenever you need a relatively safe bet to fill riskier, but more profitable tickets.
Top Horse Race Betting Events
The biggest events in horse race betting draw the most action and the most dramatic odds shifts. This is where favorites can shorten fast, underdogs get long, and live odds move sharply as money pours in before the gates open.
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious events in the US horse racing space, held annually on the first Saturday of May. It takes place on the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville and stretches across 1.25 miles. It’s also one of the oldest stakes races in the United States, with roots dating back to 1875.
Grand National
The Grand National is the biggest horse racing event in the United Kingdom. The track covers 4.3 miles and has some of the strictest qualification requirements in the industry.
Unlike the Kentucky Derby, the Grand National is an obstacle race. The first Grand National was run in 1839, and ever since then, the races start in the early days of April every year.
The Grand National futures are known for having some of the sharpest odds in the industry. Runners winning more than one event are very rare.
Fletcher and his Red Rum won in 1973 and 1974, and in more recent times, Davy Russell won first place in 2018 and 2019, and Leighton Aspell won in 2013 and 2014.
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is a famous thoroughbred horse racing event with a track stretching 1.18 miles. It’s the second leg of the Triple Crown and is held before the Belmont Stakes and after the Kentucky Derby. The Preakness Stakes is the second most-attended horse racing event in the US.
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is a 4-leg handicapped racing event that rivals the Grand National in terms of attendance and betting volume. The Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Stayers’ Hurdle, all of which are jump racing events, comprise the Cheltenham Festival.
The Festival lasts four days, one for each race, and typically starts on the second week of March each year.
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the last leg of the Triple Crown, held after the Kentucky Derby in Belmont Park, New York. As the culmination of the trendiest US horse race tournament, the Belmont Stakes is often called “The Test of Champions”.
Best Online Racebook Apps
All online betting sites we covered offer mobile-optimized websites, but most of them don’t have native racebook apps.
The instant-play format is far more convenient, as you can use all horse race betting features, grab promotions, and even participate in contests, from a mobile app without any file downloads.
CoinCasino stands out with native Telegram integration, making it one of the few racebooks where you can receive real-time race alerts, odds updates, and promotional notifications directly through the casino app.
This is especially useful for mobile horse race bettors who want to keep up with odds movements without constantly refreshing the main site or logging in.
The integration also supports direct communication with support staff, which adds a layer of convenience for troubleshooting account issues, bonus inquiries, or bet confirmations on the go.
Horse Racing Betting Terminology
Horse bettors will encounter similar concepts but different terms from sports and casino gamblers. Below is a short list of some of the most commonly used phrases and definitions you should be familiar with before placing horse race wagers.
- Accumulator: A British term for Parlays. Multi-bets that combine multiple wagers under one stake, where all selections must win.
- Across the Board: Synonymous with “Straight Wagering” and encompasses Win, Place, and Show markets.
- Boxed Bet: A bet that covers all eligible orders for selected runners.
- Break: Describes the runner’s early performance when the starting gates open.
- Closer: A horse that has a slow start but ends up finishing near the top.
- Cover the Field: Boxing when used in a Trifecta bet.
- Daily Double: A multi-bet placed on two back-to-back races.
- Dead Heat: A tie between at least two runners.
- Distance: The length of the race.
- Exacta: An exotic bet where you pick the exact order of the first and second runners.
- Exotic Bet: Non-Straight wagers, such as Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, and Pick 5.
- Furlong: A measurement unit for horse racetracks. One-eighth of a mile.
- Front-runner: Horses that tend to lead from the beginning of the race.
- Going: Synonymous with “Track condition”.
- Graded Stakes: All high-end racetracks are graded in quality. For example, the Grand National is a Grade I horse race.
- Handicap: Typically refers to Harness races, where runners carry weights.
- In-the-money (ITM): A statistic that counts the horse’s win, place, and show positions.
- Impost: Typically refers to weight-related requirements for horses, where all relevant equipment and the jockey’s weight are counted.
- Jockey: The horse’s rider.
- Joint Favorite: When multiple horses have the shortest, yet close odds for winning the event.
- Kingmaker: A recognized runner that may influence the odds even if not counted among favorites.
- Kit: Equipment used by jockeys and trainers.
- Length: Describes the distance between horses in a race.
- Listed Race: Horse racing events below Graded Stakes.
- Maiden: A horse that is yet to win a race.
- Mutuel Pool: The total prize pool of bets on specific pari-mutuel horse racing events.
- Non-started: A horse that was declared but never started the race.
- Off Track: Describes unusual track conditions, usually impacted by weather conditions.
- Outrider: A member of the racecourse staff guiding the horses before and after the races.
- Pari-mutuel betting: One of the oldest gambling systems, where the racing odds are dictated by the prize pool distribution.
- Place: A wager type where the winning condition allows the horse to finish first or second.
- Racebook: A gambling venue or (online) portal focused on horse race gambling.
- Router: Horses that excel at long-distance tracks.
- Show: A wager where the winning condition allows the horse to finish first, second, or third.
- Stayer: Synonymous with “Router”.
- Trifecta: An exotic bet where the bettor must predict the exact order of the first, second, and third winning positions.
- Unseated Rider: A jockey who fell off before or during the racing event.
- Underlay: Refers to horses offering shorter odds than realistically expected.
- Voice of the Track: The event’s announcer.
- Void Bet: A cancelled bet.
- Win: A straight wager predicting the race’s winner.
- Wire: The finish line.
Horse Racing Betting Recap
Online horse race betting sites offer a wide variety of unique advantages compared to their retail counterparts. We chose platforms with the broadest market coverage, the most competitive odds, and the largest bonuses, and yet each site on our list brings something different to the table.
BetWhale and BetUS are ideal for gamblers looking for the most diverse horse race gambling opportunities, as both cover all major international and US racetracks, plus dozens of international courses.
EveryGame is a great choice if you’re into parlays, as this site offers you a weekly shot at claiming up to $50 in free bets if your multi-bet loses by one leg.
Bovada is our top pick for players searching for an easy-to-understand VIP system. Betting gives you Reward Points, which can be converted to real money.
FAQs
Let’s answer some of the most common questions regarding horse race betting online.
Is horse racing considered gambling?
Yes, both retail and online horse race betting are considered gambling in the United States.
Best way to bet on horses for beginners?
Straight wagering types, including Win, Place, and Show, are the best way to start gambling on horses.
Are horse race betting sites legal?
Yes, but not all US states have legalized online horse race betting yet. Online horse race gambling is legal in 41 out of 50 states, but only through legal state-licensed platforms.
Can I bet on horse racing from my phone?
Yes, the majority of online racebooks are optimized for mobile use.
Can you bet on a horse to lose?
Lay betting allows bettors to place wagers on horses to lose, but this option is rarely available at retail and online sportsbooks. It’s commonly found at betting exchange platforms.