Horse Racing Betting Guide

Updated: 15.08.2025

One of the oldest sports in the world is horse racing. Although it has been practiced throughout history, evidence of competitive horse racing dates back to 700 BC. The sport has obviously evolved over the years, but the basic principle has always remained the same. Even now, more than a few years, decades or centuries later, it is incredibly popular and considered a major sport in several parts of the world.

The sport is popular, at least in part, because of its association with gambling. Gambling and horse racing have always been linked, and betting on the outcome of a race has traditionally been an integral part of a day at the track. But you don't have to be at the races to bet on them. Bettors around the world regularly wager on race outcomes with off-track bookmakers, something that has become much easier with the advent of the Internet and online sports betting sites.

In fact, wagering is an extremely important part of the horse racing industry's funding. It is one of the main sources of funding, along with prize money and sponsorship. Racetracks could not operate without the financial contributions of bookmakers. The modern horse racing industry could not exist without betting, and it is a fundamental relationship: one requires the other. Unfortunately, many require wagering, and only the lucky few can require the other. The financial dependence on betting creates a tautological situation.

This guide has been compiled to assist anyone interested in betting on horse racing. We have provided some critical details about the sport itself and how to make predictions about its outcomes. We explain all the different types of bets that can be considered and offer some tips on how to pick the most likely winners. We also provide some information on the biggest races that take place around the world and the main venues where these spectacles take place.

Horse Racing Betting Blogs

Introduction to Horse Racing Betting

Betting on horse racing can be an exciting experience. Watching a race becomes a more intense and enjoyable endeavor when you have a financial stake in the outcome. However, some people shy away from this activity even though having a stake in the outcome seems to enhance the enjoyment of the sport.

People often think that betting on horse racing is more complicated than it is. Sure, there are some tricky parts, but the basics are really quite simple. Betting is almost just a way of picking horses that you think might win a race; it's not even a thought process that's exclusive to the turf. And while successfully executing the aforementioned process may not be nearly as easy as it is hypothetically constituted, the act of betting on horse racing is actually very straightforward.

Here we present a collection of articles that will teach you everything you need to know to get started betting on horse racing. If the idea is new to you, we suggest you read them at your own pace.

It is important to understand that if you want to make money from gambling, horse racing is one of the few forms where it is possible to achieve long-term profitability. You are always at a disadvantage with the bookmakers because they set the odds, but their advantage is not unbeatable and there are many men and women who consistently and even regularly cash checks from horse racing.

We won't say it's easy because it's not. It will take considerable time and effort to fully understand everything that's needed to be successful at betting on the ponies. You will need to invest even more time and effort in poring over the form charts and uncovering the value. However, if you're making serious money, then you've definitely struck gold.

Different Types of Horse Racing

We have prepared some guides for you to explore the various forms of online horse race wagering.

• Harness Racing Betting Guide

Recommended Reading

Online Horse Racing

There are several ways to bet on horse racing, but by far the easiest is to use a dedicated website or mobile app. Betting through an online site is easier than using the phone, and it is also more reliable than betting through other methods, such as sending your bet through the mail or using a Western Union money transfer. And when I say "better", I mean not only in the sense of being more reliable and convenient, but also in terms of the benefits you get from using the site itself once you log in.

For those of you looking to join a site right now, here’s a selection of our leading recommendations.

Horse Racing Around the World

The basic principle of horse racing is universal. However, there are a few variations, and the sport differs slightly from one part of the world to the next. It's helpful to know about these variations, especially if you plan to bet on horse races in countries other than your own.

We've put together some information about how horse racing works in some of the areas where it's most prevalent, which you can read on the following pages. They cover topics such as the history of the sport in each location, the various forms of racing that take place, the types of rules and regulations that are in place, and the ways in which races are rated and classified.

Horse Racing In The United States Horse Racing In The Great Britain Horse Racing In Australia

Famous Horse Racing Events

Horse Racing Betting Sites

Finally, we also provide details on all the major racetracks and racecourses around the world. While some of these venues have hosted horse racing for decades and are steeped in local lore, others are contemporary spaces where history is just beginning to unfold.

Major Racecourses and Racetracks