The U.K. is the birthplace of horse racing, where tradition and modern culture meet. Watching the races is exciting on its own, but betting is an essential part of the experience.
This guide explains the main types of bets, how to place them, how odds work, key features for major racecourses and important calendar dates for the biggest race meetings including the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National and Royal Ascot.
Different types of horse racing bets in the U.K.
Horse racing remains one of the best sports to bet on in the U.K. The most common betting options for British horse racing include:
- Win: Pick a horse to finish 1st.
- Place: Your horse must finish in the top positions (2nd or 3rd, depending on field size).
- Each-Way: A combination of Win and Place. If the horse wins, both parts pay; if it only places, you still get a return from the Place portion.
- Forecast (Exacta): Predict the 1st and 2nd in the correct order.
- Tricast (Trifecta): Predict the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in exact order.
- Placepot: A pool bet where you select a horse to be placed in each of the first six races. Popular for its big payout potential.
- First Two / First Three: Terms used in Ascot’s official betting guide. These correspond to Forecast (Exacta) and Tricast (Trifecta) but are explained in simpler language (“pick the first two in order” or “pick the first three in order”) for beginners.
- Two From Three: Select three horses; if any two finish in the top three, you win.
- Bet With Ascot Treble: A special three-race bet available at Ascot.
What is an exacta bet in horse racing?
An exacta, often called a forecast in the UK, is a bet where you must predict the horses that will finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order. Because both the order and the runners must be right, it is harder to land than a simple win or place bet, but the payout is usually much higher. Exacta bets can be placed with the Tote or on-course bookmakers, and they are especially popular at big festivals such as Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival.
What is a trifecta bet in horse racing?
A trifecta, known in the UK as a tricast, is similar to the exacta but requires you to predict the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd finishers in the exact order. This is one of the most challenging types of bet but also one of the most rewarding, with payouts often running into four figures or more for a modest stake. Some bookmakers also offer “combination tricasts” where you can cover multiple orders of finish, though this increases the cost of the bet.
What does win and each-way mean in betting on horse racing?
A win bet is the simplest wager—you back a horse to finish 1st, and if it wins, you get paid according to the odds. An each-way bet is effectively two bets in one: one on the horse to win and one for the horse to place (usually top 2, 3, or 4 depending on the number of runners and race conditions).
If the horse wins, both bets pay out. If the horse only places, you still collect on the place portion. Each-way betting is especially popular in big-field handicaps where the place terms can extend to four or even five places.
What does NAP mean in horse racing?
A NAP (short for Napoleon) is a tipster’s term for their strongest selection of the day. It comes from the card game Napoleon, where a “nap” was the best possible hand. In racing, when a pundit or newspaper lists a horse as their NAP, it means they consider it the most likely winner out of all their picks. Bettors often pay close attention to these, especially in publications such as oddschecker or the Racing Post.
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How to Place a Bet on Horse Racing
There are three main ways to place bets at U.K. racecourses:
- Betting Shops and Online Platforms
- Tote Counters / Placepot
- On-Course Bookmakers
Bet With Ascot and World Pool odds and betting
Bet With Ascot
- Official kiosks inside Ascot Racecourse.
- Operates under Tote pool rules; dividends are shared among winning bets after deductions.
- Popular bets include Win, Place, First Two, First Three, Two From Three, and Placepot.
- Betting Guides are available on-site, and safe gambling is strongly encouraged.
World Pool
- Available only on Royal Ascot, King George Day, and QIPCO British Champions Day.
- Created by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with the U.K. Tote and Ascot, combining pools from over 28 countries into one global betting pool.
- Liquidity reaches millions of pounds, creating huge betting opportunities and significant returns for racing.
- On-course World Pool bets include Win, Place, First Two, First Three, Two From Three, and the Bet With Ascot Treble.
Place Terms (U.K. Rules)
- 4 declared runners: No place pool
- 5–7 runners: 1st or 2nd (void if fewer than 4)
- 8–15 runners: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
- 16 or more runners: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Major U.K. Racecourses and Betting Features
Ascot
- Famous worldwide for Royal Ascot.
- Offers Bet With Ascot kiosks, on-course bookmakers, a Betfred Betting Shop, and online options.
- Very beginner-friendly with official guides and support.
Cheltenham
- Home of the Cheltenham Festival, the pinnacle of jump racing.
- The betting ring featuring rows of bookmakers is a must-see.
- Tote betting is available, but bookmaker wagering is part of the festival atmosphere.
Epsom Downs
- Stage of the world-famous Epsom Derby.
- Traditional, open setting where many enjoy casual Tote bets alongside picnicking.
- Both Tote and bookmaker options are available.
York
- Known for the Ebor Festival in summer.
- Large number of bookmakers, making it easy to compare odds.
- A lively venue combining racing and tourism.
Key Horse Racing Dates
When does the National Hunt Season start?
The National Hunt season—jump racing with hurdles and steeplechases—traditionally begins in late April and runs through the winter until late April of the following year.
The early part of the season includes smaller meetings, building up to key fixtures like the Cheltenham Festival in March and the Grand National in April. National Hunt racing is most associated with courses like Cheltenham, Aintree, and Sandown Park.
In practice, however, the modern National Hunt calendar is structured slightly differently. While summer jumping takes place from May to September, the core jumps season begins in October, marked by the Jump Season Opener at Chepstow, and continues through the winter months.
The 2025/26 season will once again build towards its two marquee events: the Cheltenham Festival (10–13 March 2026) and the Grand National at Aintree (11 April 2026). These fixtures not only define the National Hunt year but also attract global audiences and betting interest.
When does the Flat Season start?
The Flat racing season typically starts in late March or early April with the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster (it was run on March 29, 2025.)
It runs throughout the summer, featuring the five Classics (Guineas, Derby, Oaks, St Leger) and top meetings such as Royal Ascot in June (2025 dates: June 17–21), Glorious Goodwood in late July / early August (2025 dates: July 29 – August 2), and the Ebor Festival at York in August (2025 dates: August 20 – 23).
In 2025, the 2,000 Guineas was held on May 3 at Newmarket, and the Derby was run on June 7 at Epsom Downs. The St Leger Stakes closed out the Classics on September 13 at Doncaster, during the St Leger Festival (September 11–14).
The Flat season generally winds down in November, when the focus shifts back to National Hunt racing. The finale is marked by QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot (in 2025, held on October 18).
When is the Cheltenham Festival 2026?
The Cheltenham Festival is traditionally held in the second week of March each year. In 2026, the four-day event will take place from March 10 to March 13.
It features world-famous races such as the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Festival attracts huge crowds and is widely considered the highlight of the National Hunt calendar.
It is also the biggest week of the year in horse racing for leading U.K. sportsbooks such as bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Bet and Ladbrokes.
When is the Grand National 2026?
The Grand National at Aintree is usually staged in early April. In 2026, the three-day meeting will run from April 9 to April 11, with the Grand National itself scheduled for Saturday, April 11. Known as the world’s most famous steeplechase, it spans over 4 miles and 30 fences, drawing a global TV audience of hundreds of millions.
When is Royal Ascot 2026?
Royal Ascot is traditionally held in mid-June, running from Tuesday to Saturday over five days. In 2026, it will be staged from June 16 to June 20. Across the week it showcases elite Flat racing with highlights such as the Gold Cup, St James’s Palace Stakes, and Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Blending top-class sport and tradition, Royal Ascot is attended by members of the Royal Family and is one of the UK’s most iconic sporting events.
What are the Five Classic Flat Races in the U.K. Flat Season?
The Five British Classics are the cornerstone of the Flat season:
- 2,000 Guineas (Newmarket, early May) – for three-year-old colts and fillies.
- 1,000 Guineas (Newmarket, early May) – restricted to three-year-old fillies.
- The Derby (Epsom, June) – the most prestigious race, for three-year-old colts and fillies.
- The Oaks (Epsom, June) – for three-year-old fillies, run over the Derby course.
- St Leger (Doncaster, September) – the oldest Classic, over 1 mile 6 furlongs, for colts and fillies.
Together, these five are known as the Classics, and winning all three colts’ races (2,000 Guineas, Derby, St Leger) is called the Triple Crown.
What are the biggest horse races in the world?
Some of the most prestigious horse races globally include:
- Kentucky Derby (USA) – “The Run for the Roses,” held every first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.
- Breeders’ Cup (USA) – a two-day world championship meeting, staged in early November at different U.S. venues each year.
- Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (France) – Europe’s richest race, run on the first Sunday in October at Longchamp, Paris.
- Dubai World Cup (UAE) – usually staged in late March at Meydan Racecourse, though the date can vary (in 2025 it was held on April 5).
- Melbourne Cup (Australia) – “the race that stops a nation,” run on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington.
- Japan Cup (Japan) – Tokyo’s autumn highlight, held on the last Sunday in November at Tokyo Racecourse.
Top tips for horse racing betting
1. Do your research
Try to avoid placing bets on races or meetings that you have no idea about. This is not a long-term solution to successful betting on horse racing. Instead, bring yourself up to speed by diving into statistics around how well horses run at certain tracks, key betting trends from previous years and recent form for a horse’s trainers or owners.
2. Follow tipsters on social media or The Sporting News
Take note from experts in the field - including those within the TSN roster - who have an impressive track record of making successful bets.
The last 15-20 years has featured the rise of online betting experts making a name for themselves with as much, if not even more, influence as the traditional media. Keeping track of a diverse portfolio from a variety of sources will only help you to make educated, informed bets.
3. Make use of promotions and welcome offers
With more and more sports betting sites popping up, bookmakers are always trying to draw you in with the latest welcome offers, reload offers and event specific promotions.
An example of this would be Paddy Power's tempting offer, where signing up and betting just £5 on any sportsbook event with minimum 2.00 odds will trigger £30 worth of free bets.
Minimum Stakes and Beginner Tips
- Minimum stakes usually start from £2–£5.
- Beginners should start with simple bets like Win or Each-Way.
- For bigger payouts, try Placepot or World Pool bets at Royal Ascot.
- Major racecourses provide clear signage, guides, and staff to help newcomers.
FAQ: Betting on Horse Racing in the U.K.
Q1. What is the minimum stake?
→ At most racecourses, Tote bets start from £2, and on-course bookmakers usually take bets from £2–£5. Online platforms may allow even smaller stakes.
Q2. Where can I bet on the Placepot?
→ At Tote counters (Bet With Ascot kiosks) or via the Tote online platform.
Q3. How are odds determined?
→ Bookmakers offer fixed odds; Tote pools fluctuate until betting closes.
Q4. What is an Each-Way bet?
→ A combined Win + Place bet. If the horse wins, both parts pay; if it only places, the Place portion still pays.
Q5. Is betting beginner-friendly at Ascot?
→ Yes. Guides, clear signage, and staff assistance ensure newcomers can place bets easily.
Summary of betting on horse racing in the U.K.
- Key U.K. bets include Win, Place, Each-Way, Forecast, Tricast, Placepot, plus Ascot-exclusive options.
- Bets can be placed through Tote (Bet With Ascot), bookmakers, betting shops, or online.
- World Pool at Royal Ascot and other major events bring global betting together.
- Major racecourses like Ascot, Cheltenham, and Epsom provide different atmospheres but equally accessible betting environments.
- With low minimum stakes, anyone can join in and experience the thrill of U.K. horse racing.