From betting on the Gold Cup at Cheltenham to the Grand National at Aintree and the Derby at Epsom, at BoyleSports we bring you all the best horse racing betting markets and odds for all the races that matter. You’ll have odds on outright winners; you can bet on horses to place or back your chosen horse each way. You can place horse racing Accas or make a tricast bet. We’ve got all the racecards for races in the UK and Ireland and right across the world. And that’s not forgetting our continually updated horse racing tips and predictions too.
But we’re not just about the showpiece races. Our horse racing betting includes daily markets on all major single meetings throughout the racing calendar, with today’s horse racing odds live right up until the race begins. We also have virtual events running every minute with 10 different virtuals to choose from, giving you the chance to bet on horse racing just the way you want to.
How Do I Bet on Horse Racing?
Before you make a bet on a horse, there are a few factors to consider. Form is key for horse race betting, as you want to pick a horse in strong form going into the race. The trainer and jockey also play a big part – just think what an experienced jockey matched with a top trainer can do. Then there’s also the age and weight of the horse to consider, as well as the timing of their last race. All of these factors can come into play in the heat of a race and can have a decisive role in the outcome.
So, you’ve considered all the important factors. It’s time to make your bet. But there’s so much more to a horse bet than simply picking a winner. Of course, you can bet on a horse to finish first, but you can also bet each way–this means you win if your horse either finishes first or in one of the top places. And then there’s spread betting. This is where you bet against the spread rather than placing a bet on fixed odds.
It’s time to choose your race, your horse and your type of bet. And off they go. Once the race is finished you can track horse racing results right here at BoyleSports to see if you made the right selection.
How Do Odds Work on Horse Racing?
You’ve read the betting tips, and you’ve made your prediction, but how do horse racing odds work?
The first thing you need to understand is the odds to win. This could be 4/1 or 10/1 for example, or even 100/1 for a real outsider. A horse at 4/1 has a 20% chance of winning. If it were to win you would win 4x your original stake. So, if you bet £10, your return would be £40 plus your original bet.
Now, that’s the simple part. Horse race odds will also include odds to place for each way betting. An each way bet is where you make two bets. One to win, and one to place. The odds to win will be shown in the usual way.
The odds to place will also be a fraction, usually 1/4 or 1/5 – these reduced odds represent the fact there’s a higher probability your horse will finish in any of the top four or five places than first. For a £10 bet for a horse at10/1 with EW odds of 1/5, your winnings would be calculated as follows:
To finish first at 10/1 £100 profit £10 stake.
To place EW 1/5 £20 profit £10 stake.
For more on how horse racing bets work, check out our guides section.
Top Horse Racing Events To Bet On
The horse racing calendar is jam-packed full of exciting events and betting opportunities throughout the year, with races including:
Cheltenham Festival Betting
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the top 10 sporting events in the UK, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup its premier event. It’s become arguably one of the most sought-after prizes for national hunt jockeys and trainers.
The four days of the festival are made up of Champion Day, Ladies Day, St. Patricks Thursday and Gold Cup day.
At Boylesports, we will bring you some of the best Cheltenham betting markets along with some special offers for the festival! Across the Cheltenham Festival, there are a total of 28 races you can bet on, including:
Gold Cup
Champion Hurdle
Champion Chase
Ryanair Chase
Stayers Hurdle
Along with providing our users with plenty of Cheltenham betting options, we also have the full coverage available so punters can stay up to date with the latest results and news from the event.
Grand National
One of the most famous horse races anywhere in the world, the Grand National takes place at Aintree in April. At BoyleSports, you’ll find competitive Grand National betting odds on all the runners in the National, whether you fancy a punt on the favourite or a bet on a 100/1 outsider. Bet on the outright winner, wager on a horse to place or hedge your bets with an each way bet.
Irish Grand National
Held every year on Easter Monday, The BoyleSports Irish Grand National is the highlight of the three-day Easter Festival at the iconic Fairyhouse Racecourse. It’s also the richest race in the Irish National Hunt calendar and the one every jockey, trainer and owner wants to win. You’ll find all your essential horse racing betting odds and markets right here at BoyleSports for the Irish Grand National betting and all the races across the Easter Festival.
Royal Ascot
The royals and celebs descend on Royal Ascot for five days of spectacular racing in June, with the premier event the Ascot Gold Cup. This Group 1 flat horse race is open to horses aged four and over and run over two miles, three furlongs and 210 yards. Held on the third day of Royal Ascot, you’ll find all the horse racing odds and betting markets you need right here at BoyleSports.
The Epsom Derby
As one of the most prestigious horse races in the world and one of the five British Classics, The Derby takes place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on the first Saturday in June. The betting around the Epsom Derby is some of the most hotly anticipated in the horse racing calendar, and you’ll find all the odds and betting markets you need to stay ahead of the action with us at BoyleSports.
Watch Live Horse Racing
If you want to experience the thrill of live horse racing today, BoyleSports also has direct streaming available for select races directly on the platform. These allow users to watch races as they unfold, allowing you to follow along with the action in real time and not miss any of the excitement. Although these high-quality streams with professional commentators are only available for certain tracks and regions, bettors could potentially watch along or even place in-play bets based on race developments should they wish to do so.
In addition to all this, if you are someone who prefers virtual horse racing betting as opposed to real live events, these can also be found on site. Virtual races generate randomised yet realistic outcomes, offering life-like animations and a variety of markets outside of scheduled race times.
Understanding Horse Racing Betting Terms
Horse racing comes with its own set of unique terms, especially when it comes to betting. Understanding these can help you make more informed decisions. Here are some of the most common:
SP (Starting Price) – The odds available on a horse at the time the race begins. You can choose to take a price when placing your bet or opt for SP, which may fluctuate before the race starts.
NAP – A tipster’s top selection of the day, considered their strongest bet across all races.
NB (Next Best) – The second most confident selection from a tipster, following their NAP.
Each Way (EW) – A bet split into two parts: one for the horse to win and another for it to place (usually top two, three, or four, depending on the race and terms).
Handicap Race – A race where horses carry different weights based on past performances to create a more level playing field.
Accumulator (Acca) – A single bet that combines multiple selections across different races. All must win for the bet to pay out.
Furlong – A unit of distance in horse racing, equal to 1/8 of a mile (roughly 200 metres).
Dead Heat – When two or more horses finish in an exact tie, meaning the winnings are split accordingly.
These terms are essential for understanding horse racing betting. Stay up to date with BoyleSports for expert insights, odds, and racing offers.
Horse Racing Betting with BoyleSports
Alongside these top horse racing events, you’ll find betting markets and odds for the King George Weekend and Glorious Goodwood, as well as races right across the country from Chester, York, Doncaster, Wolverhampton, and more. Plus, we have a range of promotions and offers for all the major events too.
No matter what your preference might be when it comes to the sport, BoyleSports is one of the leading platforms when it comes to everything horse racing betting. All of our selections provide competitive odds, with these spanning over a wide range of markets and racecourses. From your usual win and each way bets all the way to forecasts and place bets, there are so many options to potentially utilise on site.
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