- Flat and National Hunt Racing – what’s the difference?
- Horse Racing Terminology
- A Quick Look at Horse Betting in the UK and Wager Types
- All The Info & More on Major Home & International Race Meets
- Our tips for choosing a welcome bonus
- How we define a good bookmaker – selecting the best bookie for you
- Your Top Horse Racing & UK Bookmaker Questions
Flat and National Hunt Racing – what’s the difference?
If you are new to horse racing, you could be forgiven for thinking that the only difference between flat racing and NH racing is a few inconvenient obstacles. In fact, the two have very few similarities and are almost completely different sports. Both types of racing are overseen by horse racing’s governing body, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
Generally speaking, the flat racing season is run between April and the end of October and the NH season from October to April. That said there is a crossover period for the two and you’ll also find more flat races hosted over the winter months reflecting the increasing number of all-weather tracks across the UK.
All in all, it’s a fascinating subject and one that could fill a book, but for now, here are the most important facts about each type of racing.
Flat Racing
Flat horses begin their racing career at two years old, but bear in mind that all thoroughbred horses have an official ‘birthday’ of 1st January, which is the official date regardless of the actual date they were born, So, a foal born in late April 2019 will officially be two years old on 1st January 2021.
On that basis the horse is only actually 16 months old, making it very immature. That’s why breeders do their very best to ensure foals are born as early in the year as possible. Within the flat racing calendar, races are graded into seven classes and further categorised by Group or type.
The top races such as the Epsom Derby, are Grade 1, Group 1, but you’ll usually hear them described as ‘Classics’ and there are around 35 races of this calibre held annually. The aim for most owners and trainers is to achieve one or more Classic win, at which point the winner will likely be retired to stud.
National Hunt Racing
National Hunt horses do not start their racing careers until they are three or four years old. They also have the same constraints regarding birth dates and official birthdays, but that is accounted for in the NH rules to ensure that they are mature enough for the demands of this type of racing.
Very different training techniques are implemented for jump horses that and far fewer are kept as entire stallions. Once castrated they are much easier to handle and train. NH racing is also graded, but has three very different types of races.
- Flat races (run under NH rules)
- Hurdles
- Steeplechase
Most people will be more aware of the top races in the steeplechasing category, like the Champions Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but all three disciplines are represented at big events like the Cheltenham Festival and the Dublin Festival. The aim of NH trainers is to win a top race at one of those prestigious meetings.
Horse Racing Terminology
As is the case for many sports, horse racing has its own jargon. To make sense of a horse’s form, or to glean information from a racecard or tip, there are terms, phrases and abbreviations you will frequently encounter and it makes it so much easier to place an informed wager if you understand them.
- Carried out (CO) – When a horse is carried off the course by a horse running out in front of or two the side of it.
- Disqualified (DSQ) – A horse may be disqualified if the jockey fails to weigh in after the race, tests positive for a prohibitive substance or be relegated places following a stewards’ inquiry.
- Fall (F) – When a horse falls jumping a fence, hurdle or other obstacle.
- False start – When horses are under starter’s orders, but set off before the flag goes down, it is deemed to be a false start.
- First past the post – Some bookies pay out on the horse which goes past the winning post first for fixed odds wagers, but not all offer this as standard.
- Made all – When a horse makes all the running in a race and leads the race from the start to the winning post.
- On the bridle – A horse is running well without the jockey having to provide encouragement
- Open ditch – An obstacle with a ditch in front of the fence
- Pecked – When a horse stumbles on the landing side of a hurdle or fence, but does not fall. Pecking often leads to the jockey being unseated.
- Pulled up (PU) – When a jockey deliberately stops a horse before the conclusion of a race. Sometimes it is due to injury, but whatever the reason, the jockey must justify his or her decision to the racecourse Stewards.
- Ran out (RO) – When a horse runs off the course, or swerves around a hurdle or fence rather than jumping it.
- Refused (REF) – When a horse won’t jump an obstacle, often due to tiredness.
- Refused to race (RR) – This can mean a refusal to enter the stalls or refusing to run from the start.
- Slipped up (SU) – When a horse slips and loses ground in the race. This often happens on turns, or on a wet surface.
- Stalls – Also called gates in the US. Flat races have all runners starting in a numbered stall. These open automatically as the starter drops his flag.
- Stewards Enquiry – Racecourse stewards can call for an enquiry into the race riding by jockeys if interference between horses has taken place and there is a chance that has adversely effected the likely result.
- Under starter’s orders – Horses will be called in or enter starting stalls and once the flag is raised by the starter, they are said to be under starter’s orders. When they starter drops the flag, the race begins.
- Unseated rider (UR) – When the rider of a horse is unseated, usually a stride or two on the landing side of a fence, hurdle or other obstacle in a National Hunt race.
- Void – Horse races can be declared void. An infamous example of this was at Sandown when some horses continued on the course and jumped an obstacle that stewards were flagging for them to bypass.
A Quick Look at Horse Betting in the UK and Wager Types
Regulation of the Best Online Horse Betting Sites
In the UK all bookmakers must follow strict regulations. The best and most trusted horse racing betting sites are licensed and regulated by an independent authority like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This ensures you can enjoy safe online horse betting with sites that comply with the UK laws concerning online horse betting. As an independent authority in the world of gambling, it’s our job to show you the best horse betting websites that are also llegitimate and safe for you to use.
We also look very closely at the bonus promotions available through horse betting sites online, which can really add a boost to your horse racing betting experience, but only if they are fair and resonable. An example can be found in our Geoff Banks bonus review. As well as a welcome bonus, the best horse betting bookmakers will have plenty of daily and weekly promotions to keep horse racing bettors entertained and engaged. These cover many different opportunities such as boosted odds and extra places, right through to BOG as standard and free bet offers for loyal punters.
Horse Racing Betting: Bet Types
Horse racing betting has more bet types that are unique to the sport than any other. However, the sheer number of options and the complexity of them can seem daunting at first. Taking the time to gain an understanding of betting on horse races can certainly help to extend your winning potential, so it really is worth the effort. In the meantime, here is a selection of bet types you might find on your bookmaker’s site:
- Single – a straight win bet, placed on a single race
- Each-Way – a two-part bet, 50% to win and 50% to place (usually pays to third place, occasionally more)
- Double – one bet on two different races, both must win for a return
- Treble – as for a Double, but for three different races
- Accumulator – any bet with more than three selections. All selections must win for a return. Can also be placed each-way.
- Forecast (aka Exacta) – first and second places in a single race, in order
- Tricast (aka Trifecta) – first, second and third places, in order
- Reverse (Forecast or Tricast) – as above, but placed in any order
- Trixie – three selections, four bets (three doubles and a treble)
- Patent – three selections, seven bets (three singles, three doubles and one treble)
- Yankee – four selections, 11 bets (six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold)
- Lucky 15 – four selections and 15 (four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold)
- Canadian (aka Super Yankee) – five selections, 26 bets (ten doubles, ten trebles, five fourfolds and a five-fold)
- Alphabet – six selections, 26 bets (two patents (14 bets), one yankee (11 bets) and a sixfold (one bet)
- Lucky 31 – five selections, 31 bets (five singles, ten doubles, ten trebles, five fourfolds, and one fivefold). Only one winning selection needed to guarantee a return
- Heinz – six selections, 57 bets (15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, six fivefolds and one sixfold)
- Super Heinz – seven selections, 120 bets (21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 fivefolds, seven sixfolds, and a sevenfold)
- Lucky 63 – six selections, 63 bets (six singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, six fivefolds and one sixfold)
- Goliath – eight selections, 247 bets (28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfolds, 56 fivefolds, 28 sixfolds, eight sevenfolds and one eightfold)
Other betting terminology
System bets
There is a whole host of variations and permutations to choose from. Most require two correct selections for a return and you can usually use an each way option to boost your chances of a return.
Full Cover bets
A full cover bet means that all of the possible outcomes for your selection of horses are accounted for. A patent bet is a popular choice for punters, as only one correct selection is required for a return, but there are other, more complex options for a greater number of selections.
You would select three horses from three different races. By making the bet a patent, you will effectively have covered all of the following options by placing seven bets in total. Naturally, this will cost you 7 x your stake amount.
Here is an example using a £1 stake:
Individual horse to win = 3 x single bets (£3)
Horse 1 and horse 2 to win, Horse 1 and Horse 3 to win, Horse 2 and Horse 3 to win = 3 x double bets (£3)
All three horses to win = 1 x treble bet
Total stake = £7
A patent bet can also be placed each-way, but the total stake doubles for the latter option and would therefore be £14 for the example above.
Matched betting
Matched betting is more a strategy than a bet type, which involves covering every bet you place with a lay bet. This usually requires using a betting exchange and is a fairly complex process that is unlikely to appeal to casual punters.
Ante-post betting
An ante-post bet is one that you place before the day that the race takes place. Bets are taken on the basis that the Starting Price (SP) odds will apply. Ante-post betting can be the day before the race or months in advance for some of the biggest events on the racing calendar, you might find the later defined as ‘Futures’ on your bookmaker’s platform.
One thing to be aware of is that different bookies apply different rules should your selected horse not run in the race. Whilst some will refund your stake or give you a free bet in lieu, but others may simply void your bet, meaning that you lose your stake.
Pool Betting
Pool betting is also known as parimutuel and is available at most racecourses, as well as online in the UK from the Tote. Rather than knowing in advance what you could potentially win, here it will depend on the total value of the pool. The more people that have placed Tote bets on the same event/outcome, the lower the potential winning amount.
As for standard betting with a bookie, there are various Tote bet types available from singles through to exotics, plus some exclusive Tote-only options like a Pick 6 bet, Jackpot, Placepot or Quadpot.
Prop Bets
Sometimes described as side bets or novelties, your bookie might also describe prop bets as ‘Specials’ and you won’t find them for every race. However, it’s worth knowing that bookies get quite inventive when there is a big race or race meeting in the offing and you can have a lot of fun with these types of wagers, especially when the race favourites will be on very short odds.
It’s impossible to list all of the options you might find, but it could include the number of winners from a certain stall number for Flat racing, the total number of fallers for NH or predicting the distance a specific horse will win by. Some bookies will even let you make up your own prop bet and give you odds on it.
All The Info & More on Major Home & International Race Meets
As in any sport, horse racing has its highlights. There are major meetings around the world each and every year. Here at Horsebetting.com, we are concerned with the best of British, Irish and European horse races, but we also have sister domains for the USA, Canada and Australia that are well worth visiting if you want to know more about the Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Derby or Melbourne Cup.
Bet on these top UK races at the best horse betting websites
In the UK, there are three meetings which are the Holy Trinity of horse racing galas. First of all, there is the Cheltenham Festival – the premier National Hunt horse racing meeting in the UK. Some serious horse racing betting is done by punters over four days in the middle of March. Hot off the heels of Cheltenham is the Grand National at Aintree in April. This is the world’s most famous steeplechase and a field of 40 horses tackle the marathon 4m 2f trip and 30 spruce covered fences which make the ultimate test of equine stamina.
Last and by no means least is Royal Ascot – the leading Flat meeting and top festival in that sphere. While Glorious Goodwood and the Ebor Festival in York keep the good times and horse betting rolling all summer long, nothing compares to racing in front of royalty at Ascot for five days every June. In Ireland, meanwhile, there are events including the Christmas Festival and Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in the winter, then the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festival that brings the curtain down on jumps racing in the Emerald Isle for another season.
Don’t forget about Irish Champions Weekend too which follows on from the St Leger – one of five British Classics that completes the top races for thoroughbred three-year-olds. The Epsom Derby and Oaks come on from Guineas Weekend at Newmarket. Each Classic is over different distances, with the 1000 and 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile, the Epsom Derby and Oaks over a mile-and-a-half, and the St Leger at Doncaster the most testing at an extended mile-and-three-quarters. Here are Horsebetting.com, we’ve got all that and more covered!
As a newcomer or seasoned professional, you would love to increase your chances of success when trying some horse betting UK-style. As much fun as it is in being spontaneous, lowering your risk and planning for the long-term is vital for a better success rate. Through a host of articles which elaborate on horse racing betting in the UK with top tips and strategies, you’ll find yourself learning the ins-and-outs of betting. Betting tips for beginners will give you confidence while various strategy guides will enable all punters to elevate their game at the best online horse racing betting sites.
Our tips for choosing a welcome bonus
If you are a beginner, UK horse betting online might seem a bit daunting. A massive choice of bookies, bonus and bet types, not to mention the terminology you need to know about just to read a racecard. But fear not, Horsebetting.com has got your back. You can start by reading through our many guides and bookmaker reviews, then move on to look at horse racing betting strategies. You can also increase your horse racing knowledge by reading our weekly horse racing news and tips pages.
For many of the top UK horse betting sites, you’ll find that we cover bookie sign-up offers in a separate review, where we go through the nuts and bolts of the offer in detail. Here we are going to go through a few fundamental things you should always check before committing to a welcome offer.
Welcome bonuses – key points
Bigger is NOT always better
Online betting sites almost all offer sign-up offers, which are designed to attract new customers to their sites. They come in various guises such as matched deposit bonuses, no-deposit bonuses (rarely) and free bets. It is only natural that the bigger bonuses are going to catch your eye, but beware of thinking that the biggest is the best, as this is often not the case at all when you explore the bonus in detail.
Timing is key
It’s worth mentioning that bookies will often adjust their welcome bonuses in the run up to the more prestigious horse races or festivals, notably the Epsom Derby, the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival. If you don’t have any reason to sign up with a bookmaker immediately, it’s sometimes worth waiting a little longer to take advantage of a bookie’s generosity.
Terms and Conditions
Of course nobody enjoys reading through pages of T&Cs, but believe us, it really is a necessary evil. Although we do the hard work by reading them for you when we complete our bonus reviews, the T&Cs can change without notice, so you should always check for yourself before committing. Below are the five main points you should always address:
1. What sports can you use the bonus for?
Some bookies exclude horse racing from their welcome offers.
2. Does the bonus exclude any payment methods?
We often see the Neteller and Skrill ewallets excluded for deposit bonuses.
3. Is there a timescale for using the bonus?
How long you have to use the bonus can vary from 7 days to 30 days.
4. Are there any playthrough requirements?
Some bookmakers will require you to bet the bonus amount from three to ten times before you can withdraw your winnings.
5. Can you place several small bets, or does it have to be one large bet?
We’ve seen several variations for this, so be careful and always check the minimum odds.
How we define a good bookmaker – selecting the best bookie for you
Your Top Horse Racing & UK Bookmaker Questions
