Betting on horse racing is one of the earliest forms of legal betting. People have bet on horse racing since the dawn of time. Until about two decades ago, everything was done at the races or in betting shops. Since then, horse race betting has blossomed online with more markets than ever and better odds. South African have horse racing as a major betting market, with all bookies allowing you to bet in pre-match and live betting markets.

But, finding the best SA bookie with horse racing isn’t that easy. Sports Betting on horse races is more complex than you think. There are many things to consider which can be overwhelming for new bettors. That’s why we’re here. In this horse race betting guide we’ll tell you everything you need to know about horse race betting online in South Africa.

Best South Africa Sportsbooks Where I Can Bet on Horse Racing

Want to bet on the biggest horse races around the world but you don’t know where to start? You’re in the right place and at the right time. We have compiled a list of the top sportsbooks for Mzansi bettors that have a wide range of markets for the biggest horse races.

Instead of letting you do research on your own, you can make your pick here. All the betting sites on this page are trusted and reputable, having earned a reputation as one of the best in the industry.

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What is Horse Racing?

Before we go in-depth in horse race betting, let’s talk more about the sport itself. Horse racing is one of the oldest equestrian sports. In the beginning, it started as a friendly race between friends with horses, but later it grew to racing several runners on a racetrack around the world with prize purses that constantly go up.

While Britain is the cradle of horse racing, the sport is popular in other parts of the world, including South Africa. There are several world-class tracks in South Africa, including Fairview and Arlington in the Eastern Cape. Gauteng has Newmarket and Turffontein, while Bloemfontein and Vaal are in the Free State.

You can bet on these races and many others at the best SA online betting sites. But, before you make a deposit and place a bet, you should pick up on a few tips. We’ll share some below that will tell you what to look out for before you start betting on horse races.

Horse Race Betting Magic Formula

If you look at horse race betting posts online or check out forums, you’ll see many ‘experts’ saying they’ve found a formula to win on horse betting. That’s simply impossible, as online gambling is unpredictable. You can tell what happens in a race with decent accuracy by doing your research and following the sport, but a sure, magical formula doesn’t exist.

Don’t go looking for something that doesn’t exist. Instead, focus on doing proper research. You can learn how to improve your chances and win more often in horse race betting, but you won’t win every time.

Odds

One of the first things you’ll notice about SA racebooks is that the odds greatly differ. Some bookies have better starting prices, others have better odds as the race comes close. The shorter the odds, the better a horse’s position. With that being said, it’s completely normal to shop for odds and find the ones that offer the best value.

Don’t put your money on the first odds you come across. If another betting site has better odds, you should go with that one instead. No one’s preventing you from registering at several sportsbooks particularly to chase top odds. It’s your money, so you should pick the best value.

Starting Prices

The current odds on a horse to win the race is known as a starting price. The term signifies the price of a horse when the bookie starts offering odds. As the race approaches, most odds for favourites will shorten, while others will go longer. The starting price is a good idea for seasoned bettors, although waiting for a horse’s odds just before the race is also a great idea as many South Africa betting sites will have specials and boosted odds.

Of course, if you prefer to do it as early as possible, you should put your money on SP. Depending on the events leading up to the race, the odds will change heavily. Make sure to do your research well if betting on starting prices, as there’s still a long way to do before the race.

Weight and Form

Most betting races are handicaps. For those unaware, horses have to wear certain plates to reach a certain weight. The weight has a significant potential effect on the race’s outcome. The list of numbers under a horse indicate its age and the weight it carries. For example, if you see 6-10-4, the first number is the age, while the second are the handicaps in stones and pounds.

Flat races may be easier to predict as there are no handicaps. We say might because there’s no surefire way to predict how a horse race goes. That’s why it’s important to check the age, weight, and recent form of the horse you want to bet on. If it’s been failing flat races recently, there’s a solid chance it’ll fail on the race you’re betting on.

If the horse is in great form, that will be reflected in the odds. Always do your research on these three factors before you bet on a horse race in South Africa.

Horse Racing Tips

When betting on horse racing, you can’t just pick a runner or a jockey and wait for the race to finish. It’s a much more complex betting category where the horse and jockey work in pair to deliver a win or trophy. The odds and a lot of other factors depend on how the trainer and jockey have prepared the horse before the race. Things also depend on the horse’s form, weight, and age.

Other factors you need to consider are the odds which vary from sportsbook to sportsbook and the early prices. Of course, it all starts by picking a reputable bookie. You can then move on to learn more about the tips we have for you below.

SA Horse Racing Tips

If you want to learn how to bet on horse racing like a pro, you should find expert betting tips. Luckily for you, they are available everywhere online. You can join forums to see what experts think, watch horse racing shows, or listen to podcasts. As a big event draws near, you won’t find any shortage of horse race betting tips and predictions.

Of course, it’s up to you to decide if you want to use them on your bets. But, if the advice comes from a reputable expert with experience in horse racing, we don’t see why not.

Horse Racing Tips for Today’s Races

One of the most popular online searches in South Africa when it comes to horse races are tips on today’s races. As you may already know, many horse races are part of festivals which go for days. Many of them include dozens of races, and Mzansi bettors will always look tips for today’s races so they can immediately place a bet.

Once again, it’s very important to pick credible sources which you can find on podcasts or horse racing TV/radio shows. There’s no shortage of those, so if you’re invested into horse racing betting, finding tips on today’s races shouldn’t be that big of a problem.

Tips for Horse Racing for Tomorrow and the Future

You’ll also find many tips for horse races tomorrow and in the future. Similarly to tips for today’s races, these give you plenty of information to make better bets on races that will be run tomorrow or some time in the future (weeks, months, etc.).

How to Bet on Horse Racing Online in SA

Betting on horse racing at South African sportsbooks is not hard at all. First and foremost, it all starts with finding a reputable sportsbook. You can make your pick from our site and not worry about choosing a scam betting site at all.

Now that you’re made your choice, moving forward is simple.

• Register or log in to the betting site
• Find horse racing on the menu
• Choose the race you want to bet on
• Choose the bet or bets you want to place
• Enter your stake and click on Bet

Slight changes might differ from one sportsbook to another, but in general, the process goes like this. Once you enter your wager, the system will calculate the returns, so you don’t need a horse racing betting calculator. Click on bet and wait for the race to start so you can watch it on live streams.

Horse Race Betting Bonuses

There are plenty of betting bonuses you can use on horse races at the best South African horse betting sites. It all starts with the sign up offer, but also includes further deposit or no deposit bonuses, race-specific boosts, special offers, and free bets. One of our favorite Horse Betting Bonuses is from Hollywoodbets. But there are much more bonuses you can claim:

• Welcome bonus: the majority of horse race betting sites will have a sign up offer to begin with. In most cases, it’s either a free bet worth $10 or a few or a 100% first deposit match bonus. Either way, it’s an effective marketing tool to draw new bettors in. But, it doesn’t come for free. Make sure to read the terms and take note of the wagering requirements or any other conditions that might prevent you from using the bonus in its entirety.
• Free bets: free bet welcome offers are a common sight, and quite a welcome one. They require new bettors to join, bet on a horse race, and get a free bet or several after the bet is settled or lost. The advantage of free bets is that they have much simpler terms than any other bonus. But, unlike what the name suggests, they’re never free, so read the terms before claiming one.
• Special horse racing bonuses: as the biggest races draw near, bookies will have special offers for almost all of them. They come in the form of free bets, enhanced odds, and other fun promotions that can boost your bankroll if you predict the correct outcome.

South Africa Horse Racing Results and Stats

Most of the South Africa horse racing betting sites will have live stats for all races. A history of results should also be available, allowing you to check out the form of the horse you want to bet on. All stats for live races are updated non-stop, so you’re always kept in the loop. This should allow you to make much better decisions, which is especially important for live betting.

Online Horse Racing (Virtual Sports)

Aside from regular horse race betting, virtual horse races are also available at some betting sites. These are much different than real-time races, involving virtual runners that you can bet on. But, no one can deny the fact that it’s just as exciting to bet on these races, if not more when compared to smaller events.

It’s vital to find a virtual horse racing site that’s credible because virtual events should be fair. They are controlled by Random Number Generators which ensure you’ll get a fair experience. Of course, RNG-certified betting is only possible at the top-rated betting sites in South Africa, and you should stick to these options.

Top SA Horse Race Betting Markets

There are plenty of horse race betting markets online to put your money on. As a matter of fact, there are so many that they can confuse new bettors. But, that’s why we’re here. In general, we can divide the different horse racing bets into two groups – standard and exotic.

Standard Horse Racing Bets

• Win – This one’s the simplest bet. Put your money on a horse and you get paid if it finishes first.
• Place – With the place bet, you will win your bet if your horse finishes in the top two spots, so first or second. Unlike the win bet, the odds for this one are shorter.
• Show – Similar to place, this bet is a winner if your runner finishes 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd. As expected, the odds are even shorter, but the winning opportunities greater.

Exotic Horse Racing Bets

• Exacta – The straight exacta allows you to pick the horses to finish first and second in that order. There are many variants including boxed exactas that include more permutations for more money.
• Quinella – Quinella is a simplified exacta. You’re still picking the first two runners to pass the finish line, but they can come through in any order.
• Trifecta – With a trifecta, your three picks must finish 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd in that order. It pays a lot more than any other bet on this list. If it’s hard for you, you can box it and pick three horses to finish in the top three in any order.
• Superfecta – Going a step further, the superfecta adds a fourth runner in the equation. The minimum bet for this type is usually low so you can make a lot of combinations without breaking the bank.
• Lucky 15, Lucky 31, Heinz, etc. – These special types of bets look like accumulators as they involve 15, 31, or more combinations on a single betting slip. For example, the Lucky 15 includes singles, doubles, trebles, and an accumulator. They are more complex than the standard or regular exotic bets, so we recommend them for seasoned bettors only.

Live Horse Racing and Streams

When betting on horse races, it’s essential to watch the race yourself. This isn’t football or any team sport – the jockeys and runners are left on their own. Of course, a lot of preparation takes place before the races, but depending on the course and the horse’s performance, the odds might change. This goes double for live horse races.

If you prefer live betting, you know how great live streams are. Not all races are streamed at the top SA betting sites, but the biggest races are. This is an expensive technology so not all sportsbooks can afford it. But, it would be great if you find a betting site with live betting and streams so you can make much more accurate predictions.

Most Popular Horse Races to Bet On

There are many horse races taking place annually, and the biggest among them are in the UK and Ireland. But, the world’s richest horse race is in Dubai, and there are other prestigious races in France and the USA.

Below you can see a list of the top horse races around the world. When the time comes for each, it’s time to head to betting sites and put your money on any of them.

Kentucky Derby

Held annually in Louisville, Kentucky since 1875, it’s one of the top horse races in the world. It’s also the one people bet on the most, so you rest assured your favorite bookie will have plenty of offers for the US derby.

Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup is a newer race (first run in 1996), but it’s the richest in the world. It offers a total of $12 million in prize money, which is more than any other race on this list. Held at the Meydan racecourse, the iconic race is a huge draw for spectators and bettors too.

The Grand National

England’s premier handicap steeplechase has a long history that almost stretches two centuries back. It has a prize purse of £1 million, half of it reserved for the winner. It’s the most prominently featured horse race on sportsbook promotions pages and run at the iconic Aintree racehorse.

Cheltenham Festival

Held every March over four days and coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day, the Cheltenham Festival has 28 races in total. The culmination takes place on the last day when the Gold Cup is run. It’s one of the biggest races in the world and makes regular appearances at sportsbook promo pages.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Europe’s biggest race is held on the outskirts of Paris, more specifically the Longchamp racecourse. With a prize purse of $5 million, it’s one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. It’s also a hit with bookmakers, and you’ll find many specials for the Prix as the event draws near.