- 10 September
- 10 September
- 10 September
- 10 September
- 10 September
Horse Racing Betting: Markets, Major Races and Strategy
The first officially documented bet dates back to 1635. It was a wager between two English noblemen on the outcome of a horse race. Since then, horse racing betting has developed into a distinct market, widely represented on VivatBet Estonia.
The platform offers hundreds of race options, including major UK and international race meetings. Dozens of sports betting markets are available for each, including Win, Place, and Each Way. Below, you will find a practical overview of horse racing markets and race meetings.
How to Bet on Horse Racing at VivatBet
Those wishing to bet on horse racing must first register with VivatBet. In Estonia, this can be done using an email address or phone number. Next, make a deposit using Swedbank, SEB, LHV, Luminor, Trustly, Visa/Mastercard, or Skrill. Once deposited, follow these steps:
Open VivatBet via the website or the dedicated mobile betting app. Open the Line section.
Select Horse Racing from the list of all sports available on the platform.
Evaluate the upcoming race meeting and select a specific race.
Select the markets you understand from the available ones. Be sure to check the pre-match betting odds, and once you've decided, simply click on the odds.
Open the bet slip. If you don't plan to add any more markets to the accumulator, enter the bet amount and confirm the bet slip.
If you want to start with additional bonus funds, you can use the welcome bonus. It can be selected during registration, and the full wagering requirements are described on the page for the selected bonus.
Horse Racing Betting Markets
Horse racing betting once focused solely on predicting the winner of a race. Now, if you visit VivatBet, you'll see more markets. They're not as numerous as in football betting, as racing rules are simpler, but there are still plenty of options:
Win: a bet on a specific horse to win a selected race. For example, runner A with odds of 5.00 must win the race, not just finish in the money.
Place: a bet on a horse finishing in a certain number of places. If the top three places are selected in the line, the bet will be settled if the runner finishes first, second, or third.
Each Way: a Win + Place combination on the same horse. If the runner wins, both parts are paid, and if the horse finishes in the money, only the Place part is paid.
Ante-Post: a long-term bet where you pre-select a runner with high horse racing odds. If the runner withdraws from the race, the bet is considered a loser.
Market | Risk Level | Best For |
Win | High | Confident single picks |
Place | Low | Risk-averse bettors |
Each Way | Medium | Hedging a win bet |
Ante-Post | High | Long-term price seekers |
Each Way Betting — The Most Popular Horse Racing Bet
One of the most popular horse racing formats among experienced bettors is Each Way betting. This bet consists of two equal parts (Win and Place). If the horse wins, both parts are paid, and if it doesn't win but finishes within the place terms, only the Place part is paid. The basic principles are as follows:
Double the stake: If you bet €5 each way, this means the total bet is €10 (€5 Win + €5 Place). Doubling the stake is a mandatory mechanic in the "Each Way" format.
Place terms vary: the number of paid places depends on the field size and the rules of the specific race. For 5-7 runners, this is usually the top 2, for 8-15 runners, it is the top 3, and larger fields include the top 4.
Example calculation: Horse A has odds of 10.0, or 9/1. With a bet of €5 each way, the total stake is €10. If the runner comes in second, the win share loses €5. The place share is calculated using 1/4 odds: (9 ÷ 4 + 1) × €5 = 3.25 × €5 = €16.25. The total return is €16.25 with a total bet of €10.
The place share is usually 1/4 - 1/5 of the win odds. Before placing a bet on horse racing, read the terms and conditions for each specific race.
Scenario | Win Stake (€5) | Place Stake (€5) | Total Return |
Horse wins, odds 10.0, place 1/4 | €50 | €16.25 | €66.25, profit €56.25 |
Horse places 2nd, odds 10.0, place 1/4 | Lost | €16.25 | €16.25, profit €6.25 |
Horse unplaced | Lost | Lost | €0, loss €10 |
Major Race Meetings: What to Bet On
Before placing a bet, it's important to consider not only the horse but also the level of the race meeting. Major events offer more entrants and even more markets. If you recently registered to join VivatBet, consider these events:
Grand National (Aintree, UK): The most famous steeplechase race in the world. A large field, long distance, and obstacles make Grand National betting incredibly popular.
Cheltenham Festival (UK): The main jump racing festival of the season. It lasts four days and includes several prestigious races of various formats.
Royal Ascot (UK): An elite flat racing event where there are no obstacles. Speed, distance specialization, and jockey tactics are key factors.
Kentucky Derby (USA): The most prestigious race in the United States. This is a race for three-year-old horses, so analysis is based on more than just past victories.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp, France): One of the most prestigious flat races in Europe, held in the fall at Longchamp.
Responsible Gambling
Horse racing is distinguished by the fact that several races are held daily throughout the year. This creates a constant stream of pre-match and live horse racing betting options for each user. This increases the risk of impulsive betting, especially if the user is trying to recover losses on every race.
To avoid such situations, we recommend setting deposit limits or self-exclusion. These tools apply to both the sports section and online casino Estonia. Since the VivatBet platform operates in Estonia under an EMTA license, it strictly enforces age restrictions (21+) and promotes responsible gaming.
Popular events and sports news
- Contacts
- Cookie Policy
- RECITALS AND DEFINITIONS
- GENERAL TERMS
- REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CLIENT ACCOUNT
- DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS
- PLACEMENT AND SETTLEMENT BETS
- STAKES AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS IN THE ONLINE CASINO
- ACCOUNT CLOSURE AND DORMANT ACCOUNTS
- COMPLAINTS POLICY
- GENERAL BETTING RULES
- AVAILABLE MARKETS (ОUTCOMES)
- STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS
Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Racing Betting
What is horse racing betting?
These are pre-race bets on horse racing events. They are placed before the start of a specific race, taking into account the markets and odds available on the platform.
What is an "each way bet"?
An "each way bet" is two equal bets in one (Win + Place). If the runner bet on wins the race, both parts of the bet are settled. If it finishes within the place terms (usually top 2-4), only the Place part is paid.
What does "place" mean in horse racing?
A horse takes a "place" if it finishes in the paid places. The exact number of places varies in each race, so always check the market conditions before placing a bet.
What happens if a race is cancelled?
If a race is cancelled, the bet is void. According to the current VivatBet rules, the entire amount is returned to the user's gaming balance.
What is the minimum age to bet at VivatBet?
In Estonia, the minimum age for betting on all bookmaking platforms is 21+. This requirement is set by EMTA (Estonian Tax and Customs Board), and VivatBet strictly adheres to it.