Horse racing free bets are a great way for you to win extra cash on the biggest races. Hedge your bets on a long shot with zero risk, or find each-way value on those clever Grand National picks. We’ll show you how to make the most out of free bets and offers at horse race betting sites.
What are Free Horse Racing Bets?
Horse racing free bets are special promotions where online bookmakers will pay for your stake on any race. Though usually offered to new customers who sign up, free bets are sometimes offered to loyal customers during big festivals such as Cheltenham.
You receive free bet credits in your account to use on horses of your choice. You’ll have a strict time limit within which to use your bet credits. Plus, the value of your free bets are subtracted from any winnings once the wager is settled.
How Do Free Horse Bets Work?
A free bet is awarded by the bookmaker as a token that sits in your account. You use the free bet credits in the same way you use cash. When it comes to placing your bet, you select the ‘use free bet credit’ option instead of using your own funds. However, it’s important to remember that the value of the free bet is always deducted from any winnings you make.
In most cases, you’ll need to satisfy the minimum requirements to receive free bets in a welcome bonus:
- Be a new account holder
- Pass KYC (Know Your Customer) checks
- Make a qualifying min. deposit
- Make a qualifying racebet at min. odds
Here’s a quick example of how to claim horse racing free bets:
- Sign up for a new account at one of our top horse racing betting sites
- Make a first deposit
- Place a qualifying bet
- Receive bet credits according to the bookmaker’s promotional terms
- Place free bets on qualifying odds
Types of Horse Racing Free Bets
There are various types of free horse racing bets offered by bookmakers, which can broadly be divided into two categories: offers for new customers and offers for existing customers.
Below, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the types of free horse racing betting offers you can expect at best horse racing betting sites, tailored for both new and existing customers.
New Customer Sign-Up Offers
Welcome bonuses are an easy way to claim horse racing free bets when you join as a new customer. The most common offer is a deposit bonus offer, but as you will see below, there are plenty of new customer offers available to claim.
No-Deposit Bonus (Free Bets)
Some UK bookmakers offer free bets with no need to deposit. However, these sorts of deals usually come around only during large racing festivals, such as Cheltenham or the Grand National. You receive a few free bet credits to use just for opening and verifying your account.
Deposit Bonus (Free Bets)
A more common welcome bonus offer where you can get free bets when you deposit and bet. You open your account, make a deposit, and receive free bet credits in return. Terms and conditions apply before you can release your free bet winnings, like wagering requirements.
Cashback
Cashback as free bets is sometimes offered by horse racing betting companies when you join. You receive a refund on your first horse racing bet if it loses. Refunds are usually awarded as a free bet which you can use on races of your choice.
Casino Bonus
Some online bookmakers with horse racing also offer casino games. That means you may be eligible for free spins on slots or a casino deposit match when you open your sports betting account.
Bet Through the Card
‘Bet Through the Card’ is a promotion that awards free bets in return for a real-money wager on the first race on the card. You simply bet on the first race and then receive a free bet for every other race on that card.
These offers are normally provided during Festival time so we recommend you sign up for email blasts at horse racing bookmakers for UK punters to see what’s being offered.
Existing Customer Betting Offers
At horse racing betting sites, UK players can also claim ongoing promotions that reward your loyalty.
Extra Places Paid
Enhance your each-way bet with extra places paid on selected races. You’re in charge of how many places you want to get paid out, with the bookmaker adjusting the odds accordingly. Bookmakers also offer extra places on a number of daily selected races.
Non-Runner No-Bet
The non-runner no-bet (NRNB) deal protects your ante-post wagers if your horse doesn’t start. You receive a refund in full if your pick doesn’t make it to the starting gate.
Best Odds Guaranteed
Anyone using the best horse racing bookmakers can enjoy the best odds guaranteed on big races. The betting site will honour the highest price available right up until the start of the race, even if the early odds are larger than the final starting price (SP).
Moneyback Specials
Cashback on losses are a good way to guarantee free bets if your horses lose. You receive free wager tokens to use on races of your choice if your earlier bets don’t come in.
Enhanced Odds
Price boosts, also known as enhanced odds, are available on selected races. The top horse racing online betting sites list all price boosts for that day or week across all eligible courses.
Price Promise
In addition to enhanced odds, some bookmakers guarantee the best odds compared to selected televised races. The betting site will price-match these odds with a selection of rival horse racing bookies online.
Reload Bonus
Though reload bonuses are normally reserved for casino players, they are also sometimes available for horse racing betting UK customers. You receive matched funds based on your reload. You can clear your bonus funds once you’ve wagered them sufficiently on race bets.
Loyalty Bonus
The best online bookies for horse racing regularly reward their VIP customers with loyalty bonuses. These often include regular free bets, faster withdrawal times, and even access to personal managers.
Understanding Free Horse Racing Bets
Horse racing free bets are one of the most common and popular sports betting bonuses. However, they do come with one or two stipulations when you come to use them.
Wagering Requirements
The wagering requirement is the amount you must wager any winnings before releasing them. For example, let’s say you won £10 with a free bet that had a 2x wagering requirement.
In this case, you must wager £20 (2 x £10) before accessing any free cash.
Minimum Odds
Free bet credits must be used on race bets at the minimum odds. At horse racing betting sites, UK players must usually place bets with one selection at 1/5 or higher.
Eligible Payment Methods
As a new player at a bookie, UK customers have restrictions on what payment options they can use to make their first deposits.
In many cases, prepaid vouchers (e.g. paysafecard), e-Wallets (e.g. PayPal), and mobile payment options (e.g. Apple Pay) are prohibited.
Therefore, ensure you make your first welcome bonus deposit using a debit card or other accepted banking method. You can use a VISA, MasterCard, or Maestro card at the top horse racing online betting sites. Qualifying deposits are usually low (around £5-£20) and you can cash out to the same card once you’re ready to withdraw.
Time Limit
Most horse racing free bets have a strict time limit within which you must use your tokens. Check the terms and conditions before you opt in.
Can You Sign Up to Multiple Free Bet Offers?
There’s nothing to prevent you from opening accounts at more than one of the best bookies for horse racing. However, only one person per household can open an account at the same bookmakers.
The beauty of claiming bonuses from more than one of the best horse racing bookies is that you can spread the load when it comes to big races. Don’t forget to sign up for a promotional newsletter too to gain access to lots of regular deals at new horse race betting sites.
Best UK Bookies For Free Horse Racing Bets
We’ve done the legwork in scouring the best bookies for free horse racing bets in the UK. Here are 10 of the hottest welcome bonuses and horse racing free bets deals around:
- Bet365
- BetUK
- 10Bet
- BetItOn
- The Pools
- Fitzdares
- William Hill
- Smarkets
- BoyleSports
- Luckland
Key Things To Look For in Horse Racing Betting Offers
The best horse racing bookies will impose some strict terms and conditions on their offers. Here are some of the typical restrictions that you’ll find with horse racing free bets and other deals.
Minimum Deposit & Bet: Many welcome bonus free bets require a qualifying deposit first. You may need to make a first wager as well. You risk voiding your welcome offer if you don’t meet the minimum deposit and bet criteria.
Eligible Sports: Double-check that the free bet tokens can be used on any sport, including horse racing.
Eligible Bets: Check that the free bets are eligible for both Win and Each-Way bets. Some horse racing free bets are also permitted with accumulators and forecasts.
Void Bets: You won’t have your free bet credits returned if your wager is void.
Cash Out: An early Cash Out or Partial Cash Out won’t be permitted with most horse racing free bets.
Maximum Payout: Finally, check the max. payouts on your free bet. You can find this listed in the general website Ts & Cs on the horse racing betting site.
How to Claim Horse Racing Free Bets
It’s easy to sign up and claim free horse racing bets. Simply choose a horse racing betting offer and hit the Sign Up button and follow the sign up process below:
- Click the ‘Join Here’ button and create a username
- Complete the registration form with your details, including name and address.
- Opt In to Special Email Promotions
- Make a First Deposit
- Opt-in to Claim Your Free Bet
How to Use Your Horse Racing Free Bets
It’s easy to use your horse racing free bets once you’ve received them. Think of them like free cash in your account.
When you go to place a bet with the horse racing bookies, simply choose the free bet token option on your betting slip. You may have limited time to use your free bet tokens, so consider holding off on opening a new account until you know exactly what races you’ll use your credits on.
Tips For Betting with Free Bets
Here are some top strategies for using your horse racing free bets.
Analyse The Form
Form is key for working out which horses to follow. You can read detailed horse racing racecards to study the horse’s previous results, both on specific courses and ground.
Study Racing Trends
Bookmakers generally follow the trends when it comes to setting their horse racing betting odds. The weight of money can push horses out one minute or make them hot favourites the next. Follow the trends and grab a price at the best moment.
Follow Expert Racing Tipsters
Good bookies offer multiple bet tips straight from the horse’s (or tipster’s) mouth. Follow podcasts, radio commentary, or our own Punters Lounge tips page to find the biggest picks.
Check the Results
Results for each course are as important as individual horse records. By studying horse racing results, you can gauge the type of ground for each course, whether races favoured certain ages, and which jockeys had the best performances.
Can You Withdraw Free Horse Racing Bets?
Horse racing free bets typically come with a few strings attached. In most cases, the value of the free bet is deducted from your overall winnings. So, if you won £20 from a £5 bet, you’d only be eligible to cash out £15.
Don’t forget to check the full terms and conditions at bookmakers before you commit to any free bet deal. You’ll find the T&Cs listed on the Promotions page.
Each of the horse racing bookmakers will have their own general terms and conditions too. These may include the length of time you can store your free bets before they expire.
Horse Racing Events with the Biggest Free Bets Offers
Many online bookmakers go into overdrive in the run-up to large horse racing festivals that attract a lot of punters. Novices flock to popular races like the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National, and that’s when bookies love to offer attractive welcome bonuses and free bets.
However, it’s also a good time for experienced punters to lump in at horse race betting sites and find great offers. Here are some of the top UK festivals that horse racing bookmakers usually target with larger welcome bonuses, free bet deals, and enhanced odds on every race.
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is a 4-day bonanza of racing that is the highlight of the jump season. It takes place in Gloucestershire every March, with bookmakers in the UK falling over themselves to offer Cheltenham free bets and offers.
Aintree Grand National Festival
The Randox Grand National is the highlight of an Aintree festival that actually encompasses multiple races across its three days. While the 4-mile, 2-furlong Grand National was something of a lottery punt in years gone by, the shortened field now makes it easier to back heavy favourites in the race.
The best horse racing betting sites for UK punters offer an enormous range of Grand National free bets, as well as enhanced odds, NRNB, and extra places paid.
Royal Ascot
A week of racing is held at Ascot every June, with many flat races featuring horses owned by the Royal Family. You can access many Ascot betting offers for use on million-pound races such as the Queen Anne Stakes and St. James’s Palace Stakes.
Free Horse Racing Bets FAQ
Who gives the most free bets?
Many betting sites for horses offer free bets to new and existing customers. Look for our top-rated bookmakers that not only offer free bets for new sign-ups but also guarantee weekly bonuses for anyone making a deposit.
What should you use your free bets on?
Free bets are great to use on underdogs with big odds. That way, you can use your free bet on a riskier wager and use your own cash to back the heavy favourite.
Which are the best online horse racing betting sites for free bets?
Our top horse race betting sites for UK customers offer free bets to anyone making a new account. However, they also provide horse racing free bets when you deposit and bet during the week.
