How to Bet on Horses - Horse Racing Betting Guide

With Spring Racing Carnival on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to get acquainted with the ins and outs of betting on horse racing. 

Below is a step by step guide on how to bet on horse racing followed by an explanation of all the different betting markets available to punters in each race.

How to Bet on Horse Racing Step by Step

Step 1: Browse the different races on offer depending on the time of year.

Step 2: Select your race(s) and browse the different runners and bet types that are available for it. 

Step 3: Select your runner(s) and bet type(s) you wish to wager on.

Step 4: Choose your stake and confirm your bet.

Horse racing and wagering are intrinsic to one another. They’ve gone hand in hand for as long as horses have been running around a track.

If you’ve ever asked yourself how do I bet on horses? Then you’ve come to the right place. This horse racing betting guide is ideal for beginners getting started in the world of racing. 

So, saddle up and get ready to race, our How to Bet on Horses – a Horse Racing Betting Guide is below.

How to Pick a Horse to Bet on? 

One of the hallmarks of a seasoned punter is the ability to pick a good horse to bet on. Picking the right horse is easier said than done and believe it or not sometimes there is more to a quality horse than just a funny name.

Here are five simple things to consider when selecting your next runner to back:

Horse Racing Form Explained

First and foremost, always consider the form of the horse you want to back. Form is essentially how the horse has performed in the previous races it has run.

Most racing enthusiasts have a form guide to keep track of well performing horses. You can rarely go wrong backing a horse in form.

What the Horse Racing Experts Say

When in doubt, listen to the experts. Here at Sportsbet we offer free expert tips for most races.

These can be found on the betting page of specific races on the Sportsbet app and website or at our Expert Tips hub.

You can also view expert racing tips right here on The Huddle.

Horse Racing Odds Explained

As with all the sports, the odds are always a good indication of who is set to do well.

Experienced racing aficionados know how to look for upside in a roughie, but if a horse has a short price, it’s usually for a very good reason.

Consider the Track

Another thing to consider is the track your horse will be running on. The condition and length of a track are key factors in selecting a horse to bet on.

A horse’s form under certain conditions and over certain distances can drastically affect the outcome of the race.

When considering which track is being raced at it is essential to get your information from a trusted source. That’s why the team here at Sportsbet have developed an in-depth guide to Australian race tracks.

Who is the Trainer?

Last but not least, who trained the horse? The proof is in the pudding, with successful horse trainers dominating race events year round.

That’s why knowing the successful horse trainers is essential when considering how to bet on horse racing. This is often overlooked by beginners, but the reality is some trainers are better than others.

What Markets Can You Bet on in Horse Racing?

Horse Racing is one of the most popular sports amongst punters, that’s why we offer a large and diverse number of racing markets to Sportsbet patrons.

From the more obvious markets like which horse will win to exotics such as the quaddie or trifecta, Sportsbet has a market for everyone.

There are too many to list all of them here, so we’ve just provided you with some of the most popular.

To see every single market available for Horse Racing, simply go to the Sportsbet website or app, select the Horse Racing tab and browse at your own leisure.

If you want to find out more then view our live odds for horse racing here.

To Win

Pick the horse you think will win the race – simple.

To Place

Pick a horse to finish either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. This is known as placing.

Each Way Bet

A combination of to win and to place. Half of the wager is placed on the horse to win and half is put on it to place. 

An Each Way bet is effectively a way of hedging your bets on a specific horse. For more information read our What is an Each Way Bet Punter IQ guide.

Trifecta

A standard Trifecta is where you select the runners that will finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the correct order. 

For more information on Trifectas check out our What is a Trifecta Punter IQ guide.

Exacta

Like a Trifecta except minus one. An Exacta is a bet type that warrants you to successfully pick the horses that will finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order. Want to know more? Read our What is an Exacta Bet Punter IQ guide.

First 4

Again, similar to a Trifecta, except plus one this time. A First 4 wager requires a punter to select the first four finishers of a race in the correct order. Read up further on First 4s with our guide on Punter IQ guide What is a First 4.

What is a First 4 Punter IQ guide.

Quinella

Effectively an easier version of an Exacta. To land a successful Quinella you must select the two horses that run first and second, but in any order. What to learn more? Read our What is a Quinella Punter IQ guide.

Quaddie

One of the more challenging exotic bet types, the fabled Quaddie is where you have to correctly choose the winner of four consecutive races. Our What is a Quaddie Punter IQ guide will shed more light on the matter.

Treble

A Treble is a very straightforward exotic bet type. To successfully land one, you have to pick the winning horse in three separate races.

Super 6

This big one. Pick the winner in six consecutive races and you’ll find yourself the winner of a Super 6.