Top 5 UK Horse Racing Events to Bet On

The UK racing calendar has no shortage of big meetings, but a handful stand out as the events that draw serious betting interest even from people who don’t follow racing the rest of the year. Here are five worth having on your radar.

1. The Grand National

Run at Aintree every April, the Grand National is the biggest single betting race in the UK by some distance. A 4-mile-plus steeplechase over 30 fences including the notorious Becher’s Brook, its huge fields make it a natural home for each-way betting. Read our history of the Grand National for more background.

2. The Cheltenham Festival

Four days in March widely considered the pinnacle of jump racing, headlined by the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle. The quality of the fields at Cheltenham tends to be higher than almost anywhere else on the jumps calendar, which makes form study particularly rewarding.

3. Royal Ascot

A week of top-class flat racing every June, featuring some of the best horses in the world across sprints, middle-distance and staying races. It’s as much a social occasion as a racing one, but the betting markets are as competitive as anywhere in the flat season.

4. The Epsom Derby

Run in early June, the Derby is the middle jewel of the British Triple Crown and one of the most prestigious flat races anywhere. It’s a true test of a three-year-old thoroughbred, and outright markets often start taking shape months in advance.

5. The King George VI Chase

Run at Kempton on Boxing Day, the King George is one of the most important steeplechases outside of the festivals, and often a genuine formbook pointer toward the following March’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Whichever meeting you’re following, compare UK-licensed sportsbooks for racing markets, each-way terms and offers.