Horse racing is a popular sport in India, with major events regularly taking place around the country. This popularity has precipitated a rise in horse racing betting among Indian players, driven by the fast-paced action and variety of betting markets.
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When conducting our review of horse racing betting sites in India, our experts evaluate a variety of aspects that are important to the average bettor, such as:
Also known as in-play betting, this option allows you to place bets while the race is taking place. Odds on selected markets are updated on a second-by-second basis, you can use up-to-date information on the event which is available on sites which have a page for statistics to shape your betting strategy.
Many of the best online horse racing betting sites in India offer a live streaming platform as part of their in-play betting markets. You can watch the action in real-time and enjoy the excitement of the experience.
This feature allows you to end your bet before the event has finished. The bookmaker will offer you a cashout price based on the likelihood that your bet will win; the more likely your bet will win, the closer your cashout prize will be to your max payout.
Cashouts are a great way to bank profits on winning bets or cut losses on losing bets.
An extension of the cashout feature, this option allows you to cash out part of your bet, leaving the rest of it to run until the end. For example, you’ve placed a ₹10,000 on a horse to win at 6.0 odds. At the start of the race, the horse takes an early lead. Your cashout price is ₹20,000, but you still think the horse has a chance of winning.
In this situation, you can use the partial cashout feature to cash out ₹10,000, covering your initial wager, leaving ₹5,000 of your original bet still to run. If the hose wins, you’ll receive an additional ₹30,000, but if it doesn’t, your ₹10,000 will be safe.
When you join an online horse racing site, you get access to a variety of bonuses and promotions, including deposit and cash back bonuses. There are many different offers available at these sites, each unique in their claiming requirements and rewards.
Commonly offered as part of a welcome bonus, this promotion is perfect for bettors who want to increase the size of their initial bankroll. It offers to match a percentage of your deposit in bonus funds, meaning the more you deposit, the more bonus funds you’ll receive.
For example, you claim a 200% deposit bonus with a ₹10,000 deposit. This means you’ll receive an additional ₹20,000, giving you a total of ₹30,000 available to bet on horse racing.
Another popular promotion given to new players is the free bet bonus, which gives you free wagers that you can use to make real-money bets. For example, you make a deposit and receive a ₹10,000 free bet, which must be wagered at a time without being split.
As a way of attracting new players, some sportsbooks will offer enhanced odds on selected markets. For example, a bet on a horse to place at the Kentucky Derby may be increased from 2.0 to 50.0, giving you a hugely profitable betting opportunity.
Some sportsbooks offer “daily racing specials” promotions that enhance the betting experience through limited-time offers, such as:
Cashback offers give you money back on your deposit losses within a set time period. For example, you claim a 20% cashback bonus by depositing ₹10,000 and lose this money on horse racing bets. The betting site will refund you ₹2,000, allowing you to keep betting without having to top up your account.
It’s common for new horse race betting sites to offer VIP or loyalty programs to their existing players, rewarding them based on their betting activity. Points are awarded based on the value of each bet, meaning that the more you bet, the more points you’ll earn.
As you earn points and move through the ranks of the program, you’ll unlock rewards such as exclusive low-wagering promotions, free bets, and even cash prizes, giving you extra incentive to return to the site.
Online horse race betting is legal in India on overseas betting sites.
That being said, some states have banned online gambling in their region. At the time of writing, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have banned its residents from accessing any form of online gambling sites. Before playing, we recommend checking your local legislation.
Throughout the year, there are multiple high-profile horse racing events taking place in India and around the world. Many sportsbooks offer special promotions during these events, so it pays to know when the big meets are coming up.
Thanks to the growing popularity of the sport within India, there are a number of major horse racing events that take place each year throughout the country.
| Event | Description |
| Hyderabad Race Club | Home to the Deccan Derby which runs each year on the 2nd of October, Hyderabad is known throughout the country for its prestigious racing events. |
| Delhi Race Club | Hosting regular races each week from August until May, Delhi Race Club is considered to be the cornerstone of horse racing in northern India. |
| Indian Derby | Held on the first Sunday of February, this thoroughbred horse race is run over 2,400 meters and has been hosted at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai since 1943. |
| Indian 1,000 Guineas | Named after the prize money given to the winner, this event takes place on the second Sunday of December at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai. |
| Royal Calcutta Turf Club | Open since 1847, this venue regularly holds races across two seasons, the “Monsoon Meet” from July to October and the “Cold Weather Meet” from November to April. |
| Indian Oaks | A race for 4-year-old thoroughbred fillies, Indian Oaks is run every January. |
As horse racing is a global sport, you’re never too far away from the next major event. The calendar is full of large-scale racing meets that take place throughout the world, ensuring that you always have something to bet on.
| Event | Description |
| Royal Ascot | Starting in 1768, Royal Ascot is the UK’s most valuable race meet, taking place across 5 days in June. |
| Kentucky Derby | Taking place on the first Saturday of May each year, the Kentucky Derby is hosted at Churchill Downs and is arguably the most popular race in America. |
| Melbourne Cup | At the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, the Melbourne Cup has been held on the first Tuesday of November each year since 1861. |
| Dubai World Cup | A recent addition to the calendar, the Dubai World Cup has taken place on the last Saturday of March every year since 1996. |
| The Cheltenham Festival | This four-day event takes place every March at the Cheltenham Racecourse, offering a mix of hurdle and flat races. |
The top horse race betting sites offer a variety of markets, allowing you to pick the one that best suits your strategy. It’s vital that you understand the difference between these markets before placing a bet, so we’ve explored the most popular options in the list below:
When betting on horse races, it’s important to consider the variables that have an impact on the potential performance of each horse. So, before you place your bet, consider the following factors:
The popularity of horse racing betting in India continues to grow, thanks to the availability of top bookmakers. These betting sites offer a variety of markets for events around the world, ensuring that there’s always something to bet on. Horse racing also appeals to bettors who like fast results and exciting action; you can even watch along in real-time thanks to the live streaming feature.
To find the best horse racing betting sites, make sure you check our experts’ recommendations and always gamble responsibly.
The most important betting features of a horse race betting site are in-play betting, cashout options, and live streaming.
Yes, it is legal for Indian players to bet on online horse race markets except from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Win bet, the place bet, and the trifecta bet.
Yes, the best horse race betting sites offer welcome bonuses such as free bets and matched deposits.
Before placing a horse racing bet, consider the form of the horse you want to back, the conditions of the track, and the experience of the jockey.
