We have the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), the Dubai Racing Carnival at Meydan and a full slate of Grade 1 jump races in the UK and Ireland in December - a month where some of the world’s most prestigious races are packed into a single period.
This guide offers a complete overview of the month, covering major races, top betting sites, key odds trends and horses to watch throughout December.
JUMP TO:
- Best Horse Racing Betting Sites for December 2025
- Betting Odds and Promotions - December 2025
- Ante-Post Betting Tips - Christmas Racing & Cheltenham
- Top Races in December 2025 (UK & International)
- Horses to Watch This Month
- December Horse Racing in Summary
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites (December 2025)
We’ve picked out a few key reasons behind the strength of the leading bookmakers - Bet365, Paddy Power, Betfair and Ladbrokes - for horse racing, specifically across the busy period building towards Christmas and into the New Year.
Bet365
- Covers all major international race meetings
- Early prices for the Hong Kong International Races
- Strong markets for Meydan’s dirt races
- Reliable live streaming
Paddy Power
- Numerous promotions tied to Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival
- Excellent refund-style promos such as “Money Back if 2nd”
- Particularly strong during the jumps season
Betfair (Exchange)
- Odds closely aligned with true market value
- Lay betting available for Hong Kong and Middle Eastern cards
- High liquidity suitable for large-stake players
Ladbrokes
- Heavy focus on National Hunt promotions during Christmas week
- Includes Faller Insurance
- Smooth and reliable payment options
Betting Odds & Promotions for December 2025
December is traditionally one of the busiest promotional periods, with major G1 and key graded races around the world creating a surge in special offers. Let’s look at a breakdown of the leading offers and some of the best race meets to utilise the betting value.
| Bookmaker | Welcome Bonus | Get Offer |
 | Paddy Power: Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople Paddy Power Review | ||
 | Sky Bet: Get £30 in Free Bets When You Place Any Bet | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople Sky Bet Review | ||
 | Bet365: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople Bet365 Review | ||
 | Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople Betfair Review | ||
 | Ladbrokes: Get £40 in Free Bets When You Bet £10 on Football | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople Ladbrokes Review | ||
 | Spreadex: Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople Spreadex Review | ||
 | Virgin Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople Virgin Bet Review | ||
 | 10bet: Get 100% welcome bonus up to £50 | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople 10bet Review | ||
 | BetVictor: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople BetVictor Review | ||
 | AK Bets: Get a £100 Welcome Boost | Claim Offer |
| AllSportsPeople AK Bets Review | ||
Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) Week
- Bet365: Price Boost on HKIR
- William Hill: Enhanced Win Only markets
- Betfair: Reduced commission campaigns
UK National Hunt Racing (Tingle Creek / Long Walk / Welsh Grand National)
- Paddy Power: Money Back if 2nd
- Coral: Faller Insurance
- Ladbrokes: Acca Insurance
Leopardstown Christmas Festival (Ireland)
- Paddy Power: Dominant promotional presence as the home bookmaker
- Betfair Exchange: Liquidity spikes dramatically during the festival
Jake Price's Ante-Post Betting Tips
Welsh trainer Sam Thomas is already enjoying a blinding campaign, and his strike record for the 2025/26 National Hunt season stands at 42% - with 10 winners from 24 runners so far.
Most eyes were drawn to Vincenzo at the Cheltenham November Meeting where he ran so well for second place in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but my eyes were more drawn to JUBILEE EXPRESS in the preceding Amateur Riders Handicap Chase.
This 8yo was second in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow last season, and connections very much rued the fact that they were unable to get a prep-run into him beforehand due to the quicker ground last autumn. Running fresh in the Wales feature race however, he was a gallant second off a mark of 126 – but had he gotten a run in beforehand it could have been all so different.
This time around they got that run in at Cheltenham, and a drift in the betting from an opening show of 15/2 out to 9/1 told plenty – as on pure ability he should have been going off near favourite for a race of its type. Tailed off coming down the hill, it was notable that his rival really did ask him a few questions up the hill, and he duly stayed on strongly past beaten horses to take an unlikely 10th place.
The handicapper very generously dropped him 3lbs for that performance back down to last season’s official rating of 126, and as such revenge will very much be top of the agenda for Sam Thomas in a race that he has won in the past with Iwilldoit.
He will surely have strong claims once again if getting into the race, and at 12/1 he is worth an early each/way play for the 27th December. Back him at the best price below!
EXPLAINED: What is a NAP in horse racing | Win vs. Each Way Betting
Top Races in December 2025
Below is a full overview of the major flat and jump races taking place worldwide in December 2025. Hong Kong and the UAE feature stacked lineups, as well as key meets in the UK and Ireland for ante-post betting on next year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Hong Kong International Races – December 14, 2025 (Sha Tin, Hong Kong)
One of the world’s premier international G1 events, drawing elite runners from Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.
G1 Races:
- Hong Kong Cup (2000m)
- Hong Kong Mile (1600m)
- Hong Kong Sprint (1200m)
- Hong Kong Vase (2400m)
Dubai Racing Carnival – December 2025 (Meydan, UAE)
A three-week “winter Meydan” series leading into the 2026 Dubai World Cup card in March.
- December 5 – Listed Garhoud Sprint (1200m, Dirt) - A key early-season stepping stone for dirt sprinters.
- December 12 – G2 Madjani Stakes (PA, Arabians) - A major G2 contest for Purebred Arabians.
- December 19 – G2 Al Rashidiya (1800m, Turf) - A pivotal prep for the G1 Dubai Turf.
- December 19 – G2 Al Maktoum Mile (1600m, Turf) - The most important mile race of Meydan’s December program.
Tingle Creek Chase – December 6, 2025 (Sandown Park, UK)
A defining G1 for the UK’s 2-mile Champion Chase division.
Welsh Grand National – December 27, 2025 (Chepstow, UK)
A gruelling staying handicap run in deep winter conditions — one of the UK’s most beloved long-distance races.
Savills Chase – December 28, 2025 (Leopardstown, Ireland)
A crucial G1 for top staying chasers and a major trial directly linked to the following spring’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
MORE: How to bet on UK horse racing - a complete beginners’ guide
Horses to Watch This Month
National Hunt Racing (UK and Ireland)
Cheltenham Festival Contenders (UK & Ireland)
- Il Etait Temps
- Jonbon
- Gaelic Warrior
- Fact To File
- Only By Night
- Fastorslow
Flat Racing (Hong Kong & Middle East)
Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) Contenders
- Ka Ying Rising
- Lucky Sweynesse
- Satono Reve
Hong Kong Mile (1600m) Contenders
- Voyage Bubble
- Beauty Eternal (HK)
- Jantar Mantar
- Notable Speech
Middle-Distance (Hong Kong Cup / Hong Kong Vase) – Europe & Japan
Hong Kong Cup (2000m) Contenders
- Romantic Warrior
- Bellagio Opera
Hong Kong Vase (2400m) Contenders
- Calandagan
- Sosie
- Rebel’s Romance
Quick Guide about Betting on Horse Racing in December
- In Hong Kong, gate position and tactical flow are crucial; inside draws are especially advantageous in sprints.
- For Meydan, dirt races favour early speed; on turf, European runners historically hold an edge.
- Heavy ground is common for UK National Hunt racing in December so proven mudlarks must be upgraded.
- In Long-Distance Handicaps, weight-carrying ability and stamina over classic distances are key factors.