Best India Horse Race Betting Sites and Betting Tips (2020)

Top 10 India Horse Race Betting Sites

1. Betway
2. Bet365
3. Sportsbet.io
4. 1xbet
5. Comeon
6. 888Sport
7. Betvictor
8. Betiton
9. Netbet
10. 10Bet

Horse Racing in India: The Classic India Horse Races

(Image: Unsplash | © Mathew Schwartz – A horse race underway)

Horse racing in India has a global fan base of spectators and punters alike.  The country hosts five ‘classic’ races that mimic the British races. December is when the Indian 1000 and 2000 Guineas are run, whereas the Indian Oaks is run towards the end of January. The Indian Derby, on the other hand, is hosted on the first Sunday of February each year while the Indian St. Leger is run during September. Here is a rundown of the best India horse races:

Indian Derby

• The premier horse racing event is run on the first Sunday of February every year at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai.
• This iconic annual Thoroughbred India horse race, inspired by the Epsom Derby in England, is run over 2400 metres by four-year-old fillies (female horses), colts (male horses), and geldings (castrated horses).
• First held in 1943, the Indian Derby was won by War Hammer (colt) in 2020. This India horse race boasts of a cash prize worth Rs. 3 crores.

For the Indian Derby, we recommend betting with bet365, Betway, and 888sport.

Know the basic stats before you proceed with India horse race betting on the Indian Derby.

Past Indian Derby Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer
2020	War Hammer	Suraj Narredu	Prasana Kumar
2019	Star Superior	Suraj Narredu	Rajesh Narredu
2018	Rochester	CS Jodha	S K Sunderji
2017	Hall of Famer	David Allan	S.Padmanabhan
2016	Desert God	David Allan	S.Padmanabhan
2015	Be Safe	Suraj Narredu	M Narredu
2014	Alaindair	YS Srinath	Altamash Ahmed
2013	Super Storm	Jimmy Fortune	S Narredu
2012	In the Spotlight	Martin Dwyer	S.Padmanabhan
2011	Moonlight Romance	David Allan	CD Katrak

Indian 1000 Guineas

• One of the five Classic India horse races, the Indian 1000 Guineas is run by three-year-old fillies in December, over approximately 1600 metres.
• Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse plays host to this India horse race that Gift of Grace won in 2019.
• The Indian 1000 Guineas is the country’s version of the UK’s own classic 1000 Guineas.

For the Indian 1000 Guineas, we recommend betting with bet365, Betway, and 888sport.

Know the basic stats, including past winners, trainers, and jockeys, before you proceed with India horse race betting on the 1000 Guineas.

Past Indian 1000 Guineas Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer
2019	Gift of Grace	David Egan	Parvati Byramji
2018	La Rondine	Leigh Roche	Vishal Gaikwad
2017	Lady in Lace	Suraj Narredu	KSV Prasad Raju
2016	Mrs Patmore	Trevor Patel	Pesi Shroff
2015	Myrtlewood	PS Chouhan	Pesi Shroff
2014	Godspeed	Suraj Narredu	M Narredu

Indian 2000 Guineas

• The 1000 Guineas is the curtain-raiser for the Indian 2000 Guineas that typically follows the next day (usually a Saturday or Sunday).
• One of the five Classic India horse races, this massive crowd-puller is hosted at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai and dates back to the country’s pre-independence days.
• Like the Indian 1000 Guineas, the 2000 Guineas is run over 1600 metres and is open to three-year-old fillies, colts, and geldings (though typically run by colts).

For the Indian 2000 Guineas, we recommend betting with bet365, BetVictor, and 1XBET.

Know who the past winners, trainers, and jockeys were before proceeding with India horse race betting on the 2000 Guineas.

Past Indian 2000 Guineas Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer
2019	Trouvaille	Nicky Mackay	SK Sunderji
2018	Sir Cecil	David Allan	S.Padmanabhan
2017	Castlebridge	P Trevor	Bharath Singh
2016	Serjeant At Arms	A Sandesh	SA Attaollahi
2015	Phoenix Tiger	Colm O’ Donoghue	Dallas Todywalla
2014	Be Safe	S Narredu	M Narredu

Indian Oaks

• The Indian Oaks is an annual India horse race run at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai
• This Classic is hosted towards end-January and run by four-year-old Thoroughbred fillies over a distance of one-and-a-half miles (2400 metres approximately)

For the Indian Oaks, we recommend betting with bet365, NetBet, and 888sport.

Know who the past winners, trainers, and jockeys were before proceeding with India horse race betting on the Indian Oaks.

Past Indian Oaks Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer
2020	Juliette	Colm O’ Donoghue	Karthik Ganapathy
2019	Roberta	P Trevor	Pesi Shroff
2018	Manifold	David Prober	Pesi Shroff
2017	Temerity	Neeraj Rawal	Pesi Shroff
2016	Myrtlewood	PS Chouhan	Pesi Shroff
2015	Tiger Tops	Colm O’ Donoghue	Pesi Shroff

Indian St Leger

• Last of the five Classic India horse races, the Indian St Leger is contested annually during September in Pune, making it the only major race run outside Mumbai.
• Indian St Leger is open to four-year-old colts, fillies, and geldings
• The distance for this India horse race is one-and-three-parts of a mile (2800 metres approximately).

For the Indian St Leger, we recommend betting with bet365, Betway, and 888sport.

Know who the past winners, trainers, and jockeys were before proceeding with India horse race betting on the Indian St Leger.

Past Indian St Leger Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer
2019	Adjudicate	A Sandesh	James McKeown
2018	Caprisca	A Sandesh	Imtiaz Sait
2017	Mathaiyus	YS Srinath	Pesi Shroff
2016	Desert God	A Sandesh	S.Padmanabhan
2015	Quasar	Yash Narredu	M Narredu
2014	Amazing Grace	P Trevor	Pesi Shroff

Invitation Weekend

The Invitation Weekend doesn’t have a fixed location to itself. Instead, this India horse race event alternates among the top turf authorities in the country, which we have discussed later in this post. Usually scheduled around the first week of March, the Invitation Weekend is open to four-year-old (and older) horses and carries a Rs. 1 crore cash prize.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, the country hosts several other high-stakes horse races.

Biggest International Horse Races (That Are Popular in India Too)

They call horse racing the ‘King’s Sport’, and when you see the cash prizes on the most famous horse races around the globe, you’ll know why they’ve got that moniker. So soak in the traditions, and get ready for some serious betting on these iconic horse races from around the world:

Epsom Derby

Britain’s biggest horse race in terms of prize money

• Date: First Saturday of June
• Venue: Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, England
• Distance: 2400 metres (approximately 1.5 miles)
• Surface: Turf
• Open to: Three-year-old fillies and colts (excluding geldings)
• Contested since: 1780

Kentucky Derby

The US equivalent of the Epsom Derby and billed as the ‘Fastest Two Minutes in Sports’

• Date: First Saturday of May
• Venue: Churchill Downs Racetrack, Kentucky, USA
• Distance: 2000 metres (approximately 1.25 miles)
• Surface: Dirt
• Open to: Three-year-olds
• Contested since: 1875

Dubai World Cup

Though a relative newcomer, the grand event has put the UAE on the global horse racing map

• Date: Last Saturday of March
• Venue: Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE
• Distance: 2000 metres (approximately 1.25 miles)
• Surface: Dirt
• Open to: Northern Hemisphere four-year-old and up Thoroughbreds; Southern Hemisphere three-year-old and up Thoroughbreds
• Contested since: 1996

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Or simply, the ‘Arc’; indulge in brut champagne and live jazz music on the banks of the Seine

• Date: First Sunday of October
• Venue: Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, France
• Distance: 2400 metres (approximately 1.5 miles)
• Surface: Turf
• Open to: Three-year-old (and up) fillies and colts (excluding geldings)
• Contested since: 1920

The Grand National

A different horse-racing experience that’s soaked in British culture

• Date: Saturday in early April
• Venue: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England
• Distance: 6900 metres (approximately 4 miles and 470 metres)
• Surface: Turf
• Open to: Seven-year-olds and up (Should be rated 120 or more by the British Horseracing Authority and previously placed in a recognised three-mile chase or more)
• Contested since: 1839

Melbourne Cup

Go Down Under for the annual race that stops a nation

• Date: First Tuesday in November
• Venue: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
• Distance: 3200 metres (approximately 2 miles)
• Surface: Turf
• Open to: Three-year-olds and up
• Contested since: 1861

Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Blue Riband of jump-racing. Period

• Date: During the Cheltenham Festival in March
• Venue: Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, England
• Distance: 5294 metres (approximately 3 miles and 466 metres)
• Surface: Turf
• Open to: Five-year-olds and up
• Contested since: 1924

India Horse Race Betting: Common Bet Types

The best India horse race betting sites offer an extensive selection of bet types. Each of these wagers requires the events to pan out in a particular way if you were to win your bet. This can seem confusing if you’re still new to betting on horse racing in India. However, we have got you covered.

Stated below is all the information you’d ever need on the various India horse race bets:

Standard bets

These are the more basic bets you can consider for India horse race betting:

• Win: This is as straightforward as horse race betting can be. Simply bet on the selection you think will win the race.

(Graphic showing To Win betting on Power of States and potential returns)

• Place: With this type of a bet, you win if your selection wins the race or finishes second. Remember that a ‘Place’ bet pays out lesser as compared to a Win wager.
• Show: Here, you win if your selection wins the race, or finishes second or third. A ‘Show’ bet pays out lesser as compared to Win and Place wagers.
• Win-place: This is a type of double wager. Here, you back your selection to either win the race or finish second. If your selection finishes first, both the ‘Win’ and ‘Place’ parts of the wager will pay out. If it finishes second, only the ‘Place’ part pays.

Exotic bets

These are great options if you want a little extra bang for your buck when you’re betting on India horse races:

• Forecast: Here, you wager on two horses – one to win the race and the other to finish second. However, both the selections must finish in the exact order for you to get a payout. You don’t win if you don’t get the order right.

(Graphic showing Forecast betting on Louis Treize to finish 1st, Power of States to finish 2nd, and Secratario to finish 3rd)

• Quinella: Also called Reverse Forecast, here you must pick two horses – one to win and the other to finish second. However, this wager is different from the former as the two selections can finish in any order. Of course, you get a lesser payout compared to Exacta.
• Tricast: Here, you wager on three horses – one to win the race and the others to finish second and third. Remember that all the selections must finish in the exact order for you to get a payout.

(Graphic showing Tricast betting on Louis Treize to finish 1st, Power of States to finish 2nd, and Secratario to finish 3rd)

• Superfecta: Here, you wager on four horses – one to win the race and the others to finish second, third, and fourth. Remember that all the selections must finish in the exact order for you to get a payout.
• Hi-5: Arguably, the toughest of the lot, this wager requires you to put your money on five horses to finish first, second, third, fourth, and fifth – all in that exact order.

India Horse Race Betting Tips and Strategies

While online betting on horse racing in India requires that gentle push of luck, you cannot deny the skills involved. That’s precisely why you must know the top India horse race betting tips to give yourself a better shot at winning.

Stated below are the best betting tips tailored to India horse race betting:

Do your research

Trust us, you can never prepare too much when it comes to India horse race betting. You can live stream the races, know the winning horses, jockeys, and trainers of past India horse races, and learn more about the participants of the day and the races they’re running. Know the commonly-used industry terms so that you can understand all the information on horse racing in India.

The weather conditions on a given day can affect the races. For example, even a slight drizzle may throw your chosen horse off balance and cost you the wager. Therefore, you must probe into the horses’ form and past record, know the racecourse and how it behaves, and follow effective money management tips.

Bet intelligently

The leading India horse race betting sites are loaded with tempting special offers and tailored promos, which can help you maximise your profits. However, make sure you aren’t swayed by what’s on offer. That is, don’t bet on an India horse race only because the promos seem lucrative. In a nutshell, bet responsibly.

Know your odds well

Remember, different India horse race betting sites can offer vastly differing odds on the same race. If it is still the early days of an event, you may find the best bookmakers offering odds close to those of each other. However, this typically changes as we get to the business end of the race.

But don’t worry. Sit back and trust our experts to hunt down the best odds for you. We shall also regularly update this page with the current odds for the day as we approach any major India horse race. So keep visiting this space.

India Horse Race Tracks

Bangalore Turf Club

When it comes to horse racing in India, the Bangalore Turf Club is undoubtedly one of the country's most prominent facilities.

• Horse racing in Bangalore is conducted across two distinct seasons – summer (May – August) and winter (November – April).
• It is located at 52 Racecourse Road, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru
• The race track here is oval-shaped with a right-handed course, measuring approximately 1950 metres.

Hyderabad Turf Club

Situated in the modern-day metropolis of Hyderabad, the Hyderabad Turf Club is arguably the newest in the country.

• Races are held twice a year – in the monsoon season (July – October) and the winters (November – February)
• The club conducts races typically on Sundays and Mondays
• The summer-monsoon track is 2250 metres long while the winter track is slightly shorter at 2150 metres.

Mysore Race Club

Definitely the most picturesque of all India horse race clubs, the Mysore Race Club, set up in the Chamundi hills' foothills, has a unique character and is one of the leading horse racing facilities in the country.

• The Mysore Race Club conducts three annual racing schedules – summer (May – July), monsoon (August – October), and winter (November – February).
• The main track here has a green turf, with two other sand tracks also hosting notable races
• The main track spans almost 2000 metres in length and has an unmistakable oval shape

Royal Calcutta Turf Club

The Royal Calcutta Turf Club is the oldest and arguably the most distinguished when it comes to horse racing in India and the Indian subcontinent. This turf club has undergone several renovations in recent years, with the stables now having gone up from 370 to 770.

The Royal Calcutta Turf Club is steeped in English traditions. It packs a raft of facilities, including state-of-the-art veterinary hospitals, separate training tracks, and up-to-the-minute infrastructure.

• Like most other India horse race clubs, the RCTC conducts two annual racing seasons – winter (November – March) and monsoon (July – October).
• The race track here is one of the longest in the country, spanning over 2800 metres

Royal Western India Turf Club

Founded in the 1800s, the Royal Western India Turf Club is arguably the richest in the country and plays host to some of the most esteemed India horse races. The turf club operates two racecourses in Maharashtra – one in Mumbai (Mahalaxmi Racecourse) and the other in Pune (Pune Racecourse).

The Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai hosts four of the five Classic India horse races, except Indian St Leger that's hosted at the Pune Racecourse.

• The RWITC conducts racing in two annual seasons – the winter season in Mumbai (November – March/April) and monsoon in Pune (July – October/November).
• While the Mahalaxmi Racecourse is 2400 metres in length, the Pune race track is longer at 3200 metres.

Madras Race Club

Horse racing in India was born at the Madras Race Club. Located in Chennai (formerly Madras), the race track is close to the city’s Guindy area and houses up-to-the-minute facilities — gymnasium, hospital, racquet sports rooms, pool rooms — for its 1000-strong member community. The Madras Race Club also manages another racecourse in Ooty, a tranquil hill station in the same state.

• The Madras Race Club conducts its races across three seasons, split in the following manner – the Madras Monsoon Meet (August – October), Madras Winter Meet (October/November – March), and the Ooty Summer Meet (April/May – June)
• The track in Guindy is 2355 metres long, whereas the Ooty track is barely a mile in length

Delhi Turf Club

Established in 1940, this turf Club is located in the heart of India’s capital and political seat – Delhi. India horse racing season here runs from August to April/May. All India horse races at the Delhi Turf Club fall within the ambit of the RWITC.

India Horse Race Betting: Fixed Odds vs. Tote Odds

India horse race betting odds typically differ across bookmakers. However, there’s still one more factor you must consider before wagering on horse racing in India. That is, you must choose between fixed odds and tote odds. It is imperative you know the fundamental difference, considering it will impact your winnings from India horse race betting.

India horse race betting on fixed odds

If your wager succeeds, fixed odds will pay out at pre-determined rates. A typical example of horse race betting with fixed odds is picking a selection with Win odds of 5/1. If the selection wins the race, you get back five times your stake.

Simply put, you know exactly how much you can win if you bet on fixed odds. That’s because when you place a bet, the odds are automatically locked. So, any subsequent change in the odds will not affect your winnings.

India horse race betting on tote odds

With tote betting on horse racing in India, all the wagers (on a particular race or a combination of races) are a part of one big, shared pool. In essence, tote odds are only ever approximated and are likely to change depending on the number of wagers made and the total value. At any given point, the tote board will show the current odds.

Tote bets usually start from Rs.10. After deduction of necessary taxes and fees, the exploits from India horse race betting on tote odds are divided among the winning punters.

India Horse Race Live Betting

The provision of live betting has been a significant boost for India horse race betting. Live betting allows you to bet on a race while it is underway.

With India horse race live betting, you can access a variety of markets in addition to the conventional ones. The experience of betting on live streaming is unmatched, considering you get to make informed bets as you watch live action unfold.

India Horse Race Betting: Brief History

Horse racing in India dates back to 200 years. The Supreme Court of India in 1996 had passed a ruling that horse race betting involved the application of skills and didn’t depend solely on luck. Since then, horse racing in India has witnessed a surge in popularity.

The first racetrack was set up in Madras (present-day Chennai) in 1777. Today, the equestrian sport is conducted across nine racetracks and supervised by six racing authorities.

Online horse race betting in India

Horse racing in India is wide open for bettors, providing players with broader rights. Since punting on horses requires skill, the activity doesn’t come under the Indian gambling laws. From Bangalore to the UK’s Cheltenham Festival, Indian bettors have a bevvy of online horse race betting opportunities.

India Horse Race Betting FAQs

1. Is horse racing in India legal?

Yes, horse racing in India is a legal sport. While current gambling laws don’t preclude online gambling, India horse race betting is arguably the most prominent form of gambling in the country. The legality of the sport has been upheld by the apex court of the land.

2. Can I win real money by betting on horse racing in India?

Of course, you can win real money on India horse race betting. However, you must do your research – read about the race club and the track, past races and champions, know the current participants in the scheduled race, and the form of your selection (s). You should also track the latest horse racing news updates and exploit the best India horse racing tips discussed in the article.

3. Which bookmakers allow betting on horse racing in India?

The best online bookmakers accept users living in India. So, if you are from that part of the world, you can bet on a wide range of sports, including cricket, football, kabaddi, tennis, and more. Cricket betting is, of course, immensely popular in India, and so is kabaddi betting.

The best India horse race betting sites we recommend are Betway, bet365, and 1XBET. However, do check out the others that we have mentioned in the table at the beginning of this post.

4. What are the safest deposit methods at India horse race betting sites?

We recommend e-wallets when it comes to depositing money in horse race betting sites. While every e-wallet has its merits, we have taken a liking to Neteller.

Check out our posts on how to open a Neteller account, verify a Neteller account, deposit money into Neteller, and withdraw money from your Neteller account.

Generally speaking, e-wallets are the top choice for Indian gamblers, considering credit cards are usually cumbersome. Once you have set up your e-wallet account, you can deposit and withdraw funds instantly.

5. Can I bet on other sports at Indian horse race betting sites?

The best India horse race betting sites offer a raft of sports, including cricket, football, tennis, and basketball.

6. What is the typical odds’ format on most horse race betting sites in India?

Leading India horse race betting sites allow users to switch between three formats — decimal, moneyline (US-style odds), and fractional (British-style odds).

7. What is the best app for India horse race betting?

Today, most India horse race betting sites are mobile-optimised, meaning you can play on the go, simply through the mobile browser. However, leading bookies offer dedicated mobile betting apps to wager on Indian horse races and other sports.

All the India horse race betting sites listed in this article have dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android.

8. How can I bet online on horse racing in India?

When it comes to betting on horse racing in India, some of the best portals are undoubtedly Betway and bet365. Suppose you choose bet365.

First, you must open a bet365 account. After you have registered and created your account, the next step is to deposit money into your bet365 account using credit/debit cards or e-wallets. After this, you can place your first real money bet on bet365.

CricketBettingAdvice Final Say

As is evident, there is a lot to wrap your head around when it comes to India horse race betting. Be it the five Classic India horse races to bet on, the top horse racing tips, or the multiple India racecards, there is a lot of information on the web that can be overwhelming.

That being said, we have broken down complex information in this article, hoping that you find it easy to understand.

The India horse race betting sites recommended in this article are licensed and have their fairness approved by a certified testing agency like eCOGRA, offer robust welcome bonuses, free bets, and special promos, provide you with a range of India horse race betting markets, support the best banking options, and provide 24×7 customer support.

Don’t forget to check out our post on the best online betting tips to maximise your winnings.