In short: which online horse racing betting site is best? According to our horse racing team, bet365 Racing is the king app in the UK in 2026. Looking to bet on horse races online? You’ve got plenty of choice, and the top operators have all sharpened their racing products around three things: Best Odds Guaranteed, Extra Places and faster mobile in-play. bet365’s Price Promise now matches or beats Ladbrokes, William Hill, Paddy Power, Coral, Sky Bet and BoyleSports on every ITV-televised race, and William Hill’s Pick Your Places lets you choose up to 6 places per race.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
- 01
William HillVisit site → - 02
Paddy PowerVisit site →First Football Bet Refunded in Cash if It Loses (Max £20)
- 03
KwiffVisit site →Bet £10 and Get a £20 Surprise Bet
- 04
LadbrokesVisit site →Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets
- 05
BetfairVisit site →Up to £20 Refund on Your First Bet
- 06
Bet365 5.0/5Visit site →Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
- 07
BetfredVisit site → - 08
LivescorebetVisit site →Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets
- 09
CoralVisit site →Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets
- 10
SkybetVisit site →
- Best Horse Racing Betting Sites UK
- Horse Betting in the UK (2026): What’s Changing
- The 14 Best Horse Racing Tracks in the UK
- UK Online Horse Racing Betting Platforms
- Horse Racing Betting Apps
- The Best Horse Racing Bet Offers for UK, Updated 2026
- UK Horse Racing Bet Calculator
- UK Racing Fixture Calendar 2026/27
Betfred’s PickYourPunt lets you request your own price across racing markets.
Below are the betting sites that offer horse racing odds and bets for 2026: ranked by App Store ratings, BOG coverage, Extra Places policy, live streaming and welcome offer value. All UKGC-licensed and tested by BritishGambler.co.uk for Cheltenham, the Grand National and Royal Ascot bets.
Our ranked list of the 10 best UK horse racing betting sites for 2026, with Best Odds Guaranteed and Extra Places compared. £60 Spreadex, £50 Betfred, £30 William Hill and up to £30 in Bet Credits at bet365.
We have unanimously agreed the following to be the top horse betting platforms, and we hold them in high esteem across the following areas:
- Odds: The internet sites covered will be competitive and give bettors value for money.
- Licensing and Security: Websites worth their salt will adopt robust security measures and they will be fully licensed by an approved gambling body.
- Betting Options: We have evaluated brands that are well versed in covering a variety of markets, such as win, each-way, and more.
- User Experience: We think you should be drawn to sites that are seamless in terms of navigation, have a strong interface, as well as mobile compatibility.
- Bonuses and Promotions: Whether it is welcome offers or ongoing deals, the horse racing sites we have discussed will be adept in this area.
Horse Betting in the UK (2026): What’s Changing
Online horse racing betting in the UK is still one of the biggest drivers of betting traffic around major festivals, especially Cheltenham (March), the Grand National at Aintree (April), and Royal Ascot (June), with Boxing Day racing also pulling huge spikes in mobile wagering.
Recent UK Gambling Commission data shows remote betting remains a heavyweight category, with online betting producing roughly £766.7 million in gross gambling yield (latest annual reporting), while participation in horse race betting has also moved up, with around 7% of UK adults saying they’d bet on horse racing in the last four weeks in the most recent participation wave.
At the same time, the market is being shaped by a few clear 2026 trends: more in-play horse betting, stronger demand for Best Odds Guaranteed and extra places, and a noticeable shift towards “race-day” products like quick bet builders, price boosts, and instant bet tracking on mobile.
The legal and product side is tightening too. UK-licensed racing apps are under growing pressure to prove they can offer a safer, smoother betting flow than unregulated sites, especially after research highlighted a major rise in traffic to black-market betting platforms in recent years.
This is why top UK horse racing apps now push responsible gambling tools harder, including deposit limits, reality checks, and faster verification, while still competing with better features such as high-quality live streaming, early price boosts, and more detailed race data.
To underline the strength of the horse racing betting market, we have outlined some of the key stats for your perusal:
- Horse racing is the second-largest sport, behind football, in terms of attendance and annual revenue.
- The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) estimated that, 5 million attended over 1,420 races across the UK.
- £4.1 billion is contributed annually to the UK economy through horse racing.
- £72.7 million has been allocated in prize money for 2026 races in the UK.
Their sister site, Betfair, also operates both a Sportsbook and Exchange betting service, so you can take fixed odds horse racing prices and lay the ones you don’t fancy when taking on fellow punters at the same time.
Furthermore, William Hill allows you to boost the odds of three horses you choose each day on their sportsbook. Bet365 is another popular service provider, and it is the first online horse betting in the UK to price up races following final declarations. Similarly, Betfred has plenty of betting bonuses relating to horse racing, especially if you like placing systems and combination wagers.
For horse racing followers in the UK looking to open a new betting account, there are a host of bonus offers and free bet promotions available, so it is always best to shop around. Along with the usual extra places on particular races and odds’ boosters, the horse racing betting websites regularly come up with new incentives to grab your attention and your custom! In the UK you have a huge number of races to bet on.
The 14 Best Horse Racing Tracks in the UK
Britain hosts 59 licensed racecourses and over 1,420 race meetings a year, but only a handful stage the Group 1 Flat or Grade 1 National Hunt fixtures that define the racing calendar. These are the 14 venues every UK betting site will price every meeting at, with verified 2026 race dates, prize money and headline races.
Aintree
· LiverpoolRandox Grand National · 11 April 2026
The home of the Grand National: the world’s most famous jumps race, watched by an estimated 600 million viewers in 140+ countries. 4 miles 2½ furlongs, 30 fences, 34 runners and a £1 million prize fund (£500k to the winner). 2026 winner: I Am Maximus.
Ascot
· BerkshireRoyal Ascot · 16 to 20 June 2026
Britain’s most valuable race meeting, £10.65 million prize pot across 35 races, including 8 Group 1 races (Queen Anne, King Charles III, St James’s Palace, Prince of Wales’s, Ascot Gold Cup, Commonwealth Cup, Coronation Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee). Hosts British Champions Day in October.
Cheltenham
· GloucestershireCheltenham Festival · 10 to 13 March 2026
The home of British National Hunt racing. Four days, 250,000 spectators, worth £274 million to the local economy. The Gold Cup is the Grade 1 championship of jumps racing; 2026 winner: Gaelic Warrior (Paul Townend / Willie Mullins). Also stages the Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Epsom Downs
· SurreyThe Derby & The Oaks · 5 to 6 June 2026
The home of The Derby: Britain’s most prestigious Flat race and the middle leg of the English Triple Crown. Run over 1 mile 4 furlongs at the iconic switchback course. The Oaks (Friday) is the fillies’ equivalent. Both races carry £1.5m+ prize funds in 2026.
Newmarket
· SuffolkQIPCO Guineas Festival · 2 to 3 May 2026
The headquarters of British Flat racing: home of the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas (the first two legs of the English Classics) and the 9-furlong Sussex Stakes. Two separate courses: the Rowley Mile for spring/autumn and the July Course for summer Group 1s like the July Cup.
York
· North YorkshireEbor Festival · 19 to 22 August 2026
The biggest northern Flat meeting, home of the Juddmonte International (one of Britain’s richest races at £1m+) and the Nunthorpe Stakes (Europe’s premier 5-furlong sprint Group 1). The Ebor Handicap, the namesake race, is the most valuable Flat handicap in Europe.
Goodwood
· West SussexQatar Goodwood Festival · 28 Jul to 1 Aug 2026
“Glorious Goodwood“: five days of midsummer Flat racing on the South Downs, famed for the Sussex Stakes (Group 1, 1 mile) and the Goodwood Cup (Group 1, 2 miles, the second leg of the Stayers’ Triple Crown alongside the Ascot Gold Cup and Doncaster Cup).
Doncaster
· South YorkshireSt Leger · 12 September 2026
Home of the St Leger Stakes: the final and oldest leg of the English Classics, run since 1776 over 1 mile 6 furlongs. Also stages the Doncaster Cup, the third leg of the Stayers’ Triple Crown. Britain’s longest oldest Classic.
Haydock Park
· MerseysideBetfair Sprint Cup · Sept · Betfair Chase · Nov
A genuine all-rounder: hosts the Betfair Sprint Cup (Group 1 Flat, 6 furlongs, September) and the Betfair Chase (Grade 1 jumps, 3 miles, November). Strong jumps surface and easy access from the M6 make Haydock one of the most popular tracks for travelling northern punters.
Kempton Park
· SurreyKing George VI Chase · 26 December 2026
Home of the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day: the second most prestigious Grade 1 chase after the Gold Cup, run over 3 miles. Right-handed, flat circuit suits the speedier jumpers (Desert Orchid, Kauto Star and Frodon are among the most decorated winners).
Sandown Park
· SurreyEclipse Stakes · July · Tingle Creek · December
A premium dual-purpose venue: the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (Group 1 Flat, 1¼ miles, first weekend of July) is one of Britain’s richest mid-summer Flat races and the first Group 1 to pit Classic generation 3-year-olds against older horses. The Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) headlines December.
Newbury
· BerkshireLadbrokes Trophy · Nov · Lockinge Stakes · May
Hosts the Ladbrokes Trophy (Grade 3 handicap chase, 3 miles 2 furlongs, late November, historically known as the Hennessy Gold Cup) and the Lockinge Stakes (Group 1 Flat, 1 mile, May). The Winter Carnival weekend in November is one of the biggest jumps fixtures outside Cheltenham.
Chepstow
· MonmouthshireCoral Welsh Grand National · 27 December 2026
Wales’ premier racecourse and home of the Coral Welsh Grand National on 27 December, run over 3 miles 6½ furlongs, a key trial for the Aintree Grand National itself. Also stages the Finale Juvenile Hurdle, a top Grade 1 4-year-old hurdle race that often points to Cheltenham.
Newcastle
· Tyne & WearFighting Fifth Hurdle · Nov · Northumberland Plate · Jun
The major northern dual-purpose venue. Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1, late November) is a key trial for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. The Northumberland Plate (“Pitmen’s Derby”) in late June is one of the biggest Flat handicaps in the north, run over 2 miles 56 yards.
Licensed racecourses staging horse racing across the UK
Over 1,420 race meetings annually across the UK calendar
5 million+ people attend UK horse races each year (BHA)
Total prize money allocated for 2026 UK races (HBLB)
The British racing calendar at a glance
The UK racing calendar is anchored by three flagship festivals, Cheltenham (March) for National Hunt, the Grand National at Aintree (April) for the world’s most-watched jumps race, and Royal Ascot (June) for Britain’s richest Flat racing. The Stayers’ Triple Crown links Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and Doncaster’s St Leger meeting across the summer. Newmarket remains the spiritual home of Flat racing, while Kempton’s King George VI Chase on Boxing Day closes the calendar with one of the best-loved jumps races outside Cheltenham. Every venue listed here is priced live by all 10 top UK horse racing betting sites, with Best Odds Guaranteed and Extra Places available at most for the headline meetings.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. T&Cs apply at each bookmaker. Race dates, prize money and headline races verified May 2026, exact festival schedules subject to operator confirmation. Free help and support at GambleAware.org or call 0808 8020 133.
UK Online Horse Racing Betting Platforms
It’s now time to give you the lowdown on the 5 most notorious UK horse betting apps, and we have shared our thoughts on what makes them excel.
Betfred
Betfred Horse Racing: What It's Like
Sitting atop our carefully curated list is Betfred, and it is a great frontrunner. Well, what’s not to like about Betfred’s opening gambit which consists of a Bet £10 Get £50 in bonuses which we think is exceedingly generous, and you can collect it through the promo code SUMMER50. It’s perhaps no surprise that Betfred is a self-proclaimed “Bonus King”.
Yet one of the cornerstones of the sites is the immersive #PickYourPunt which gives you eye-catching odds across the finest racing markets, and it has become a go-to option for horse racing fans.
Pros
- Bet £10, get £50 in free bets
- #PickYourPunt lets you request your own price on racing markets
- Extra places on each-way singles and multiples
- £10 free bet or money back if your horse finishes second (selected races)
Cons
- Qualifying bet needs odds of Evens (2.0) or bigger
- Debit card deposits only for the welcome offer
- Free bets expire after 7 days
Betfred key facts
| Regulator and licence | UK Gambling Commission, account 39544Licence 039544-R-319290-010, remote betting, casino and bingo, active |
|---|---|
| Licence holder | Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited, trading as Betfred |
| Market | Great Britain (UK-facing site) |
| Welcome offer | Bet £10, get £50 in free bets: 3 x £10 sports free bets plus 2 x £10 acca free bets |
| Key terms | Register, deposit by debit card and place a first bet of £10+ at Evens (2.0) or bigger on sports within 7 days. Free bets credited within 10 hours of settlement and expire after 7 days. Wagering: none (free bets). Eligibility and payment exclusions apply. |
| Payment methods | Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard); e-wallets and prepaid cards do not qualify for the welcome offer |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
Last verified:
- Extra Race Places: Betfred will pay extra places for each way, single, and multiple bets. So, for some markets, Betfred will pay out for 5 places instead of 4, or 4 places instead of 3, and so forth.
- Free Bet if 2nd: Selections will be given a £10 free bet or money back for any horse racing market if it finishes second.
bet365
bet365 Horse Racing: What It's Like
Consistently one of the best UK horse bet sites for prices, bet365 is probably most famed for the quality of its live stream. We tested it and compared it to other sites, and we didn’t experience any buffering or lagging issues.
Moreover, bet365 ranks extremely well for withdrawals, making it one of the quickest UK bookmakers. The flagship bonus is up to £30 in Bet Credits on a £10 deposit, which is virtually in line with what you expect from rival sites.
Pros
- Live streams of UK, Irish and international racing from a 50p stake
- Price Promise on every UK and Irish race shown live on ITV
- Bet Boost on selected UK and Irish meetings
- Up to £30 in Bet Credits for new customers
Cons
- Price Promise only applies up to 15 minutes before the off
- Bet Credits are released only after qualifying bets
- Returns exclude the Bet Credits stake
bet365 key facts
| Regulator and licence | UK Gambling Commission, account 55148Licence 055148-R-331498-002, remote betting (real and virtual events, pool betting), active |
|---|---|
| Licence holder | Hillside (UK Sports) ENC, trading as bet365 |
| Market | Great Britain (UK-facing site) |
| Welcome offer | Up to £30 in Bet Credits: a 100% match of a qualifying deposit of £10 or more |
| Key terms | Min. deposit £10. Claim within 30 days of registering. Bet Credits are released once you place qualifying bets to the value of your deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude the Bet Credits stake. Wagering: none on Bet Credits. |
| Payment methods | Visa, Mastercard and Maestro debit cards, Visa and Mastercard credit cards, paysafecard, Click to Pay, bank wire transfer |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
Last verified:
- Bet Boost: You can get a bigger price on selected UK & Irish horse racing meets, enabling bettors to yield more profit from longer odds and this facilitates win and each-way bets.
- Price Promise: bet365 promises that it won’t be beaten for price on any UK and Irish horse race shown live on ITV. The offer applies up to 15 minutes before the scheduled “off” time.
Unibet
Unibet Horse Racing: What It's Like
Like bet365, Unibet is revered when it comes to odds, and it has its finger on the pulse when it comes to domestic and international coverage.
The opening deal is a Bet £20 Get £40 in free bets, which needs a bigger qualifying stake than most offers on this list. That said, Unibet makes up for it in other areas.
Pros
- Daily Uniboost: boost your odds three times a day
- Acca boost of 40% on 7-leg accas and bigger
- Bet £20, get £40 in free bets
- Strong domestic and international racing coverage
Cons
- Qualifying bet is £20, higher than most rivals
- Free bets expire 7 days after issue
- Debit card or instant bank transfer only for the welcome offer
Unibet key facts
| Regulator and licence | UK Gambling Commission, account 45322Licence 045322-R-324275-020, remote betting, casino and bingo, active |
|---|---|
| Licence holder | Platinum Gaming Limited, trading as Unibet |
| Market | Great Britain (UK-facing site) |
| Welcome offer | Bet £20, get £40 in free bets |
| Key terms | New GB customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £20+ on sports at odds of 2.0 (1/1) or bigger within 7 days of registering. Debit card or instant bank transfer only. Free bets expire 7 days after issue. Wagering: none (free bets). |
| Payment methods | Debit cards, instant bank transfer, PayPal |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
Last verified:
- Daily Uniboost: The power is in your hands, as you can bolster your odds three times a day every day. You can source bigger odds on a horse you choose, whether it be nailed on favourite or a big-priced outsider.
- Acca Boost: You can multiply winnings through an acca boost. The bigger the acca, the bigger the boost. So, 7 legs+ will give you a 40% boost.
William Hill
William Hill Horse Racing: What It's Like
The top in in-play betting, William Hill has a vast array of horse racing lines, and everything is neatly tied together with the William Hill Radio service which provides more incisive and detailed information for bettors.
The welcome offer is Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets with code R30, smaller than the Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets at Betfred or the up to £60 at Spreadex, but William Hill makes up for it with its racing tools. Quick and efficient, William Hill has a nose for horse racing.
Pros
- Pick Your Places: choose up to 6 places per race
- Best Odds Guaranteed on racing
- William Hill Radio and William Hill TV for race coverage
- Bet £10, get £30 in free bets with code R30
Cons
- Smaller welcome offer than Betfred or Spreadex
- Free bets expire 30 days after the qualifying bet
- Phone support only 9am to 5pm
William Hill key facts
| Regulator and licence | UK Gambling Commission, account 39225Licence 039225-R-319373-015, remote betting, casino and bingo, active |
|---|---|
| Licence holder | WHG (International) Limited |
| Market | Great Britain (UK-facing site) |
| Welcome offer | Bet £10, get £30 in free bets (3 x £10) with promo code R30 |
| Key terms | Min. £10 qualifying bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or bigger. Free bets credited after the qualifying bet settles and expire 30 days after it was placed. Wagering: none (free bets). Payment method restrictions apply. |
| Payment methods | Visa and Mastercard debit, PayPal, Skrill, NETELLER, Apple Pay, online bank transfer, paysafecard |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
Last verified:
- Pick Your Places: Bears resemblance to Betfred’s #PickYourPunt, although you can pick more places per race (up to 6) with this feature.
- Best Odds Guaranteed: Get more for your money with BOG. Essentially, if you take a price and the Starting Price (SP) returns greater, William Hill will pay out at bigger odds.
BetVictor
BetVictor has an excellent offering when it comes to horse racing, and we were impressed with the odds boosts. This puts it almost on par with bet365, as for some races, odds were typically lengthened from 6/1 to 7/1.
Anyway, BetVictor boasts an excellent mobile app that will serve iOS and Android users well, although its Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets welcome offer is for football bets, while Betfred gives players £50 in Bonuses for wagering £10 on any sport.
- Run for Your Money: You could get a rebate if your horse fails to come out or loses all chance at the stalls, and is available when placing a bet on any UK or Irish race.
- Best Odds Guaranteed: Here, you can take an early price (EP) or Board Price (BP) for any race, and if the Starting Price (SP) is bigger, BetVictor will pay out at the lengthened odds.
Horse Racing Betting Apps
UK horse racing betting apps have made it genuinely easier to bet on the Grand National, Royal Ascot, and everyday UK and Irish meetings without being tied to a desktop or betting shop. The best-rated apps in 2026 aren’t winning because of flashy design, they’re winning on speed, streaming, and race-day tools.
For example, the bet365 horse racing app is rated 4.7 on the App Store (279k reviews) and 4.6 on Google Play (101k reviews), and it lets you live-stream racing from the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, the USA, and South America with a minimum stake of 50p (or 25p each-way).
The mobile app also includes race alerts for non-runners, start times, and results, plus popular promos like Each Way Extra, Feature Race 4/1, and one of the earliest Best Odds Guaranteed cut-offs in the UK.
What to Look for in the Best UK Horse Betting Apps
Other top UK horse racing betting apps focus on slightly different strengths. Betway is rated 4.8 on the App Store (34k reviews) and is particularly strong for in-play betting, with daily boosts and racing specials clearly listed on the homepage.
BetVictor is rated 4.7 on the App Store (41k reviews) and stands out for its data-heavy approach, using tools like BetFinder with filters such as course winners, stable form, and Timeform ratings, ideal if you want more than just a price and a jockey name.
Meanwhile, William Hill remains one of the most trusted options with 4.7 on the App Store (155k reviews), offering regular racing promos like Flash Odds, Happy Hour, daily bet boosts, and access to live streaming through William Hill TV.
The Best Horse Racing Bet Offers for UK, Updated 2026
All UK online bookmakers with horse racing odds and markets offer some sort of promotion for new customers interested in placing bets on the big races like Cheltenham, Royal Ascot and more. You might start off with a welcome bonus and free bets before moving on to regular acca boosts and much more. Many horse racing promotions, such as Best Odds Guaranteed, are commonplace across most online bookies.
UK Horse Racing Bet Calculator
Work out returns for Win, Each-Way, Trixie, Patent, Yankee, Lucky 15 and accumulator bets, with Best Odds Guaranteed toggle.
Total Stake
£10.00
Bets Covered
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Net Profit / Loss
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18+ only. Calculator for guidance only: confirm actual returns with your bookmaker. Please gamble responsibly. T&Cs apply at each operator. Free help and support at GambleAware.org or call 0808 8020 133.
UK Racing Fixture Calendar 2026/27
Every key raceday across ten of Britain’s best-loved courses, sorted by date. Tap a course or festival name for the full racecard, odds and free bet offers.
| Date | Racecourse | Fixture | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 to 11 Jul 2026 | Ascot | Racing To Zero Summer Mile Weekend | |
| 10 to 11 Jul 2026 | York | John Smith’s Meeting | |
| 12 Jul 2026 | Perth | Family Raceday | |
| 13 & 19 Jul 2026 | Newton Abbot | Mid-July meetings | Afternoon jumps |
| 24 to 25 Jul 2026 | Ascot | King George Weekend | King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
| 24 to 25 Jul 2026 | York | Music Showcase Weekend | Racing + live music |
| 24 Jul 2026 | Sandown | Ministry of Sound Classical | Evening/social card |
| 25 Jul 2026 | Chester | Midsummer Meeting | |
| 28 Jul to 1 Aug 2026 | Goodwood | Qatar Goodwood Festival | Goodwood Cup, Sussex Stakes, Nassau Stakes, King George Stakes |
| 2 Aug 2026 | Chester | Family Fun Day | |
| 8 Aug 2026 | Ascot | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup & Concert | |
| 15 Aug 2026 | Perth | Stone of Destiny Raceday | |
| 19 to 22 Aug 2026 | York | Sky Bet Ebor Festival | Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks, Nunthorpe, Ebor Handicap |
| 22 Aug 2026 | Chester | Powells Jewellery Ladies Day | |
| 6 Sep 2026 | York | September Sunday | |
| 7, 23 to 24 Sep 2026 | Perth | Other meetings | Midweek, weekend & themed days |
| 11 to 12 Sep 2026 | Chester | Virgin Bet Autumn Festival | |
| 19 Sep 2026 | Chester | Season Finale | |
| 2 Oct 2026 | Hexham | Autumn Raceday | |
| 9 to 10 Oct 2026 | York | October Meeting | Season closer |
| 10 Oct 2026 | Hexham | Newcastle Rugby Foundation Raceday | |
| 17 Oct 2026 | Ascot | QIPCO British Champions Day | Flat season finale, multiple Group 1s |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Hexham | Sky Sports Racing Raceday | |
| 23 to 24 Oct 2026 | Cheltenham | William Hill Showcase | From £30.50 |
| 6 Nov 2026 | Hexham | Winter Raceday | |
| 13 to 15 Nov 2026 | Cheltenham | November Meeting | From £13.50 |
| 18 Nov 2026 | Hexham | Weatherbys Raceday | |
| 9 Dec 2026 | Hexham | Christmas Jumper Raceday | |
| 11 to 12 Dec 2026 | Cheltenham | Christmas Meeting | From £13.50 |
| 1 Jan 2027 | Cheltenham | New Year’s Day Racing | From £13.50 |
| 30 Jan 2027 | Cheltenham | Festival Trials Day | From £42.00 |
| 16 to 19 Mar 2027 | Cheltenham | Cheltenham Festival 2027 | From £16.00+, book early |
| Early May 2027 (provisional) | Chester | Boodles May Festival 2027 | City Day / Ladies Day / Chester Cup Day |
| 12 to 14 May 2027 (provisional) | York | Dante Festival 2027 | |
| 4 Jun 2027 | Epsom | Betfred Oaks (Ladies Day) | |
| 5 Jun 2027 | Epsom | Betfred Derby (Derby Day) | ~4:00pm |
| 15 to 19 Jun 2027 (provisional) | Royal Ascot | Royal Ascot 2027 | From £25 |
Dates correct as of today. Several 2027 fixtures remain provisional, so always confirm against the official racecourse site before booking. For today’s live racecards and the best current bookmaker offers on UK & Irish racing, see our Horse Racing Odds hub.
Online Horse Betting FAQs
Yes! Whether you’re a new customer or a regular punter, you’ll be able to claim free bets at the top bookmakers to use on the big race.
In a big race such as the Grand National, many online bookies will pay each way down to 6th or 7th place instead of the usual 4th/5
The top bookies may offer a free bet if your horse doesn’t finish the Grand National. Always check the free bet terms before you opt-in.
The Grand National is one of Britain’s biggest and most famous horse racing event. It’s been run since the 1800s at its Aintree home near Liverpool. Forty horses are required to jump a series of hurdles and water obstacles across a grueling 4 miles 2½ furlongs.
When choosing a free bets offer, consider the minimum deposit required, the expiry date of the free bets, and the minimum odds for qualifying bets. Most free bets offers come with wagering requirements. This usually means you must bet the bonus amount a certain number of times before you can withdraw any winnings.
To claim these free bets offers, you typically need to sign up as a new customer with the bookmaker, make a qualifying deposit, and place a bet. The specifics vary by bookmaker, so make sure to read the terms and conditions. Can existing customers also avail of these offers? While some offers are for new customers only, bookmakers often have promotions and free bets offers for existing customers as well, particularly around big racing events. Always check the promotion’s terms and conditions.
18+. Gambling should stay entertainment: set deposit limits, take time-outs and use reality checks. For free, confidential help call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare, 24/7) or register with GAMSTOP to self-exclude from UK-licensed sites. Offers on this page are for new customers aged 18+ and carry terms (minimum deposit, minimum odds, expiry and payment-method exclusions). Every bookmaker reviewed here appears on the UK Gambling Commission public register.
References
- UK Gambling Commission, public register and business licence register downloads (licences, trading names, domain names), checked 12 November 2026: Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited, account 39544, licence 039544-R-319290-010; Hillside (UK Sports) ENC, account 55148, licence 055148-R-331498-002; Platinum Gaming Limited, account 45322, licence 045322-R-324275-020; WHG (International) Limited, account 39225, licence 039225-R-319373-015; BV Gaming Limited, account 39576, licence 039576-R-319370-028; Spreadex Limited, account 8835, licence 008835-R-104580-022; LC International Limited, account 54743, licence 054743-R-330863-015; Betway Limited, account 39372, licence 039372-R-319367-029.
- UK Gambling Commission, industry statistics: remote betting gross gambling yield and participation in horse race betting.
- Racecourse Association, racecourse annual attendances top 5 million for the first time since 2019.
- House of Commons Library, research briefing CDP 2024/0136 on the horseracing industry.
- Horserace Betting Levy Board, prize money allocation for 2026 (release 714).
- Welcome offer terms for Betfred, bet365, Unibet and William Hill (code R30), as quoted in our full reviews of each bookmaker.
- GamCare, National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133, and GAMSTOP national online self-exclusion scheme.