Horse Race Betting Sites in Canada [ 2024 ]

Top Canadian Sports Betting Sites For Horse RacingHorse Racing is one of the oldest sports and has a fan following in just about every country in the world. Billions of dollars are spent by the worldwide horse racing industry and the sport has continued to grow with each passing year thanks to the increase in media coverage. For a long time, horse race betting used to be one of the few ports on which Canadians could place bets. Luckily, the situation has changed significantly. Still, there’s no need to worry about horse racing, as it has remained completely legal. Moreover, the sportsbooks that cover it for Canadians are some of the best sports betting sites in the world.

Horse Racing is an equestrian performance sport that allows both men and women to compete together. Horse racing rules and formats change based on the different types of tournaments held across the world. Some of the different types of horse racing include flat racing, steeplechasing or jump racing, harness racing and endurance racing.

In this piece, we will share a list of these fantastic sites. We will discuss them at length, provide the links to them, and so much more. Furthermore, we’ll tell you all about the best bets you can place, share some tips on how to win more from horse race betting, and mention the bonuses and promotions you should look for.

As there’s a lot to cover, we shouldn’t waste our time. Let’s begin so you can quickly start placing your winning bets!

Recommended Canadian Sports Betting Sites For Horse Racing

Top RatedAs we’ve stated, there are many amazing horse race betting sites in Canada, which has made our job a bit easier. However, we still had to check all the great sites we could find, as we always do for all sports betting or casino sites.

For access to some of the most generous odds in regards to Horse Racing then you really ought to be considering signing up to only those betting sites listed below, if you bet anywhere else you run the very real risk of losing out on enhanced odds and best odds guaranteed racers.

We’ll talk more about our process in the next section, but for now, here is our ultimate list of the best horse race betting sites in Canada:

#1
Rating
5
Bonus Offer 100% UP TO CAD 200
  • Canadian players accepted
#2
Rating
4.9
Bonus Offer 100% UPTO CAD 200
  • Canadian players accepted
#3
Rating
4.9
Bonus Offer 50% UPTO CAD 2500
  • Canadian players accepted
#4
Rating
4.5
Bonus Offer 100% UPTO C$250
  • Canadian players accepted
#5
Rating
4.9
Bonus Offer 100% UPTO CAD 125
  • Canadian players accepted

There will be plenty of additional Horse Racing bonus bets on offer during the racing season, however, if any of the above free bets and bonuses takes your fancy then you are best advised to visit the betting site website that is offering that particular bonus to see if the offer is still up for grabs. All of the above bonuses and free bets

Note: The list is not final, nor will it ever be. That’s because sites come and go as time passes, and we are on a constant lookout for new betting sites that can bring value to our audience. As soon as we find a great site, we’ll put it on the list. On the other hand, if we realize that the quality of an existing site has decreased, we’ll remove it. So, keep checking this list occasionally if you need a new horse race betting site to join.

How We Picked the Best Horse Race Betting Sites

ChecklistWe used our tried and proven method of testing sports betting sites and ranking them according to specific parameters. The set of criteria is similar to the one we use for other sports betting sites. Still, we’ve introduced a few horse racing-related modifications.

In the next few paragraphs, we’ll cover all the features and aspects of horse race betting sites that we check. We’ll also discuss all the things we want to see on these sites if they are to be included in our top list.

We hope that these explanations will give you a clearer picture of what these sites have to offer in terms of value and gambling opportunities.

Most importantly, the explanations will help you understand what you need to look for if you want to get the best possible gambling experience.

Licence and Security

When it comes to gambling sites, legality and security matter the most, so we always take special care to check that the sites we recommend have all the necessary elements.

The most important ones are, naturally, the licences. Any gambling site, be it domestic or offshore, needs to have a valid licence from some of the world’s leading regulatory bodies. By these, we mean Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, and a few others. You’re bound to see at least one of these names on any of the sites we recommend.

Outside of licences, we also check the security measures as these tell us how safe your money is on the site. Every horse racing site needs to have state-of-the-art security measures like SSL encryption, as these ensure the safety of each transaction and keep hackers and other criminals from stealing money or data from the site’s users.

Horse Race Betting Markets

As is always the case in sports betting, there is a whole host of different types of bets you can place on horse races. However, not all sites have as many markets as most bettors would like, especially when specific events and races are considered. That’s why we always make sure to check the variety of betting markets on every site we review.

So, all the horse race betting sites we recommend have a wide range of both popular and less notable betting markets — all in all, enough for any Canadian player.

Horse Race Live Betting

Live betting is always enjoyable with sports, and horse race betting is no exception. That’s why we’ve made sure to include only those sites that have this feature available. So, you’ll be able to place a bet on a race of your choice while it’s in progress.

Since horse races are usually fast-paced, it’s important to note that we’ve ensured that the sites we recommend are of a higher quality when it comes to functionality and design. That way, you won’t have to worry about the platform responding slowly or bugging out when you have only a few seconds to place your bet.

Betting Odds

Some sportsbooks tend to lower their odds by small, rarely noticeable margins in order to earn more. We all know it, but it’s often too bothersome to look for discrepancies, as there are so many betting markets and sites to use.

We’ve made this easier for you by checking the odds on all the sites we’ve reviewed. We’ve ended up including only those sites that have the best odds on the horse race betting market. However, once you start betting like a pro, we still advise you to shop for odds even among the sites we recommend. In the long run, the best odds will bring much higher earnings.

Bonuses and Promotions

Bonuses and promotions are the staples of modern online sports betting. Sportsbooks are constantly trying to outcompete each other, and the only way to truly succeed in this endeavour is to offer the best bonuses.

As you can expect, we value your happiness and enjoyment very much, which is why we’ve made sure to choose the best horse race betting sites in terms of bonuses and promotions. We checked what these bonuses offer and what their terms and wagering requirements are. Then, we chose only those websites that have the most rewarding bonuses.

Mobile Betting

People placing bets on their phones are no longer a rarity. Most players want to have this option, and since most players today have a smartphone, they only need to find a perfect sportsbook.

Most sportsbooks are mobile-friendly today, and some even have downloadable apps for iOS and Android phones. However, many are simply not good enough, which is why we’ve made sure to check the quality of mobile betting on each site we reviewed. We ended up including only the best of the best.

Payment Methods for Canadians

You can typically use a wide range of payment methods on gambling sites, but it’s important to check which ones are there. The ones you usually use can easily be unavailable, and you might have to opt for a method you never use.

That’s why we’ve made sure to recommend only the sites that offer a wide selection of banking options, especially the ones most popular in Canada. So, you’ll be able to rely on Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Paypal, Interac, Neteller, Skrill, and a few others almost always. You’ll also get the chance to use Bitcoin on some sites.

Customer Support

Customer support matters a lot, as all players will need these agents’ help at least once. That’s why we’ve included only the sites that offer the best customer service. This means that the sites we recommend have 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and sometimes dedicated phone numbers for Canadians.

Legal BettingHorse race betting has been fully legal in Canada since 1969, and you can still place horse racing bets today.

The same is true for online horse betting, and the sportsbooks that offer this form of betting in Canada typically have some of the best offers and betting odds in the world.

Horse Racing in Canada

Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in Canada. It started way back, in 1767, when Canada was still a British territory. The first major horse race took place in Quebec City. Many new races have been introduced since then, but overall, horse racing has remained the same.

Today, more than 250 years after the sport truly began, there are numerous competitions throughout the country, and people still bet on horses. The main event of the year is the Canadian Triple Crown, which’s fairly similar to the American Triple Crown. However, there’s also the Woodbine International, or the Canadian International Stakes, another yearly horse racing event, which takes place in October.

All of these races, and many others, are overseen by the Jockey Club of Canada, formed in 1973 with headquarters in Toronto.

As you can expect, with such a long history of horse racing, horse race betting is also quite popular in Canada. That is why Canadian bettors get to choose from some of the leading horse racing sportsbooks on the planet.

Horse Racing Betting in Canada

Canadians love to place bets on horse racing events in both domestic as well as international horse racing competitions. There are numerous websites such as Betfair, Bet365, Paddy Power, 888 Sports and William Hill that offer horse racing betting. These websites offer online betting and also a mobile app that allows bettors to place bets on the go. These mobile sports betting apps are compatible with both iOS and Android platforms.

These sports betting websites not only cover the top horse racing tournaments in the world but also offer horse racing coverage for specific countries such as South Africa and the United States. Some of the different types of horse racing bets include any order forecast, tricast, any order tricast, forecast, reverse forecast and outright winner.

Sports betting websites covering the horse racing industry offer detailed information to help bettors with their wagers. These sports betting websites offer tips and information on the performance of the horses, the performance of the jockeys and the favourite horses in the competition. Most sports betting websites also offer virtual betting on horse racing.

As an avid fan of Horse racing will tell you, when it comes to placing wagers on any Horse race there are plenty of options available, not only in regards to the horses you can bet on, but also there are a huge number of different bet types available such as Future Horse Betting and what better way to get your head around them all by having a good look through our Guide to Horse Racing!

Be aware that there are hundreds of different online betting sites as well as plenty of mobile betting sites that all want you to join up to their respective betting sites and they all want you to start placing wagers, and as such you can often find some not to be missed bonus offers and free bets available, but try and stick to betting only at our top-rated Horse betting sites for each of those we are going to showcase to you are renowned for giving you the best odds and the biggest bonus offers.

Horse Racing Betting Events

The beauty of Horse racing is that it is a sport that once you get involved in you are going to enjoy as every day of the week there are races running all over the world, and studying form whilst putting your skills to the test is just one of the enjoyment factors of this race of Kings!

There are virtually countless horse races and horse racing competitions worldwide, especially in Canada, the US, and many parts of Europe. There are small races run day in and day out, however, there are also a large number of premier types of Horse races where the best of the best take part, and as such you can bet on races such as the Grand National, the Dubai World Cup, the Derby and a whole host of other races.

Let’s cover the most popular ones that Canadian bettors love.

Canadian Triple Crown Thoroughbred Racing

The Triple Crown is perhaps the most popular series of horse races in Canada. It takes place every year and features a series of three races for three-year-old horses born in this country. The contest is one of the oldest of its kind in Canada, having started back in 1959.

The first horserace is the Queen’s Plate which takes place at the Polytrack in Toronto, the second is the Prince of Wales Stakes which takes place at the Fort Erie Racetrack in Ontario and the third race is the Breeder’s Stakes which takes place at the E. P. Taylor Turf Course in Woodbine.

All three races have been televised by TSN since 2014 and 12 horses so far have won the Canadian Triple Crown so far. There is also a Canadian Racing Hall of Fame honouring horses, jockeys and trainers.

Canadian International Stakes

The race started in 1938 and takes place every October at the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The Triple Crown, it’s the most important horse racing event of the year. It’s open to all three-year-old horses, while the prize purse currently sits at C$800,000.

Kentucky Derby

This is the most notable horse racing event in the US the Kentucky Derby. It takes place every year in Louisville, Kentucky, and it’s the high point of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The prize purse is US$3 million, while first place takes the staggering US$1.86 million.

Breeders’ Cup

This is a two-day major horse racing event that takes place every year on different race tracks throughout the US. It’s a thoroughbred race that offers a prize purse from US$1 million to US$6 million, depending on the Breeder’s Cup race.

Other Notable Horse Races

As there are too many horse races to count, let’s list a few others you should keep an eye on if you want to start betting on horses:

Types of Horse Racing Bets

You are not just going to be able to pick the winner of any one single horse race, as you can also bet on placed horses, and as such as long as your selections finish in one of the prize payout positions then you are going to pick up a winning payout.

You are also able to bet on which horses your think is going to finish first and second or even first, second and third and these types of wagers are known as Exacta’s and Tricast’s and when you get one of these bets placed and your selections all come in, then some fairly large winning payouts will be coming your way.

In fact, many of our featured betting sites will also let you try and predict which horse will not only win but by how many lengths it will win the race, and with plenty of daily specials on offer at our top-rated betting sites you are never going to go short on ways to bet on any horse you fancy in any race running anywhere in the world!

Let’s take a quick look at the leading horse race bets you can place if you want to win big from horse racing:

Win

In this bet, you simply need to pick the horse you think will win the race.

Place

If your horse finishes first, second, or third, you will win the bet, albeit a different amount depending on the place.

Each Way

This one combines the Win and Place bet.

Quinella

You need to choose two horses that will finish first and second, in any order.

Exacta

The same as Quinella bet, but you have to guess the exact order in which they finish.

Trifecta

You have to guess the first three spots in a race accurately.

Doubles

You need to pick the winners of two different races at the same race meeting.

Pick 3

You need to guess the winners of three consecutive races.

Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

Sports betting sites usually have a wide variety of bonuses on offer. From the ubiquitous welcome bonuses, through cashback bonuses, all the way to loyalty programs, there’s a lot you need to know.

Keep reading to learn about the best types of bonuses you’ll get to claim once you start joining the sites from our top list.

Welcome Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are the main promotion every sportsbook offers. You’ll typically see them first, as every site emphasizes these offers. They are used to attract new players, but that doesn’t necessarily mean these offers are bad.

As long as you have someone like us to check these bonuses for you, you can always gain something exciting and rewarding. In most cases, they will come in the form of matched bonuses — for example, a 100% match bonus for up to C$300.

Free Bets

Free bets are small bonuses many sportsbooks give to their players every once in a while. They all follow the same format — you are required to bet a specific amount of money, and the sportsbook will give you a particular amount to wager later. For instance, the sportsbook would ask you to bet C$10, and you’ll get C$30 for free.

The numbers may differ, but all free bet offers will require you to wager the money you get. In many cases, you’ll also have to bet on specific betting markets first or use the odds of 1.8 or 2.0 and higher before you get the free bet bonus.

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses are rare. Usually, there are no requirements you need to fulfill in order to get them, except for registering at the sportsbooks offering them. So, for instance, a good sportsbook might offer you C$50 for free if you join the site.

However, bear in mind that these bonuses always come with play-through requirements. In most cases, you will have to wager the bonus funds and the winnings several times over before being allowed to withdraw your winnings. Furthermore, you won’t be able to win more than a specific amount.

Reload Bonuses

A reload bonus can be any bonus that the sportsbook offers to existing players. In many cases, this will be a deposit bonus, albeit much smaller than the ones you get in the welcome package.

Reload bonuses can also come and go. In fact, some of them appear only in specific periods, whereas others are repeated every week.

Cashback Bonuses

Cashback bonuses are very straightforward. You place a specific type of bet or set of bets, and the sportsbook gives you a percentage of your stake back if you lose. The amounts they cover and the requirements they ask from you may vary from offer to offer and from site to site, but this basic premise is always the same.

Loyalty Programs

Numerous sportsbooks offer loyalty or VIP programs that typically award you points for specific amounts of real money you spend while betting. Then you get the option to spend the points on rewards.

Furthermore, you’ll usually have levels to reach, and with each new level, the rewards you get will improve.

Horse Racing Betting Tips

Tips

Betting on horses is not easy, even though it seems straightforward to many bettors.

If you don’t respect the sport, you won’t win much by betting on it.

That’s why we’ve prepared a list of essential tips and strategies you need to use in horse race betting:

  • Do the research before placing any bets – It’s vital to learn about the sport you’re betting on, and in horse racing, you should research the horses as well. Racing form guides will give you a lot of information on the race and horses you’re betting on, so make sure to check them out.
  • Bet with your head, not your emotions – Even though betting on horses has been around for a whole century in Canada — and even longer in other countries — people have always made the same mistake of finding an emotional reason for betting on a specific horse. Namely, some bettors choose the horse based on how it looks or what colour shirt the jockey is wearing. However, you need to use your head to have more chances of winning.
  • Have a bankroll – This is a tip you need to take for all forms of gambling. Create a gambling budget and stick to it. We can’t stress how important it is for you to do this. By managing how much you spend on gambling, you’ll ensure you never spend more than you want or can. Plus, you’ll make sure you never run into any gambling problems.
  • Don’t trust the so-called insider tips – You should never believe the so-called insider tips that you may stumble on online because there are no such things! The only ones who could be cheating are the organizers themselves, and they probably wouldn’t go around sharing that with anyone. People who say they have inside information are lying without a shadow of a doubt.
  • Use different bets – Once you become a bit more experienced at placing certain horse racing bets, you should try your luck at different kinds of bets. The key thing to know is that you need to use various types of bets strategically.
  • Check the odds – If you want to make the most of your betting, you need to shop for odds. Once you’ve chosen the race and the bet you want to place, visit several different betting sites to find the best odds. If you opt for the sites we recommend, you’ll likely find great odds on all of them. Still, some of them are likely to have slightly better odds for the specific race you need than the others. If you do this most of the time, the extra money you win can really add up.
  • Jockey experience matters – Horses are the ones racing, but jockeys play a vital role as well, as they are the ones directing the horses. So, make sure to research the jockeys, especially their recent achievements.
  • Take the track and the weather into consideration – Like in any other sport, the track and weather conditions on the day of the race can play a significant role. Make sure to check them before placing your bet. Also, don’t forget to see how specific conditions usually affect certain horses and jockeys.

Final Thoughts

We’ve covered all you need to know about horse race betting sites, and we’ve included a detailed list of the very best ones Canadian bettors can join. We’ve talked about horse race betting in general — from the kinds of bets, you can place to the tips and tricks that will help you win more.

With all the information we’ve collected and presented here, we are sure you have all you need to start betting on this exciting sport. All that’s left for you to do is pick one site from our list, join it, claim the bonus, and start making bets! Remember to have fun and bet responsibly.

Horse Racing Betting FAQ

Author Hey all! My name is Doug Hirdle, and I am the main author at Betting.ca. As a huge sports fan, for years I have thought about running a website that’s going to provide people with the latest news from the world of sports. However, watching sports is not my only passion, as I also love...