Horse Racing in Europe - UK, Ireland, France & South Africa Betting Odds
Horse racing is a sport that never sleeps. Throughout the year, theracing calendar will contain some of the biggest events around the world. Whether it is a feature race, such as a Grade I Stakes race or a general run-of-the-mill race meeting, it is so easy to keep abreast of what’s coming up.
The UK and Ireland are considered powerhouses, but horse racing is now taking off in South Africa with daily races in Cape Town.
In this guide, we will provide a broad overview of the horse racing scene in said parts around the world, discuss the most lucrative events and successful jockeys, and of course, reveal some horse betting tips for wagering at Stake Sportsbook.
Most Popular Horse Racing Events in Europe?
If you are a horse racing aficionado, you probably ought to know that UK and Irish horse racing tends to be split into flat racing and jumps.
Further afield, there will be eagerly anticipated races across the world that will be marked by bettors, and a flick through the sports homepage will bring up all the latest details and betting lines on Stake.com.
These are some of the most sought-after horse races in the UK, Ireland, France & South Africa:
Cheltenham Festival: 11-14 March, 2025
Royal Ascot: 17-21 June, 2025
The Grand National: 5 April, 2025
Irish Derby: 27-29 June, 2025
Galway Summer Festival: 28 July-3 August 2025
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: 4-5 October, 2025
Gauteng Summer Cup: 1 February, 2025
Cape Town Met: 25 January, 2025
Leading Jockeys & Race Horses in the UK, Ireland, France & South Africa
Let’s look at some of the best jockeys from some numbers* of the best jockeys in these countries:
*Information accurate as of January 2025
How to Bet on Horse Racing Today in Europe
Whether you are used to sports betting or not, there are always new things to learn. We have shown you how to bet on horse racing.
Study the Form - Don’t go into meets blindly. Check past stats and course conditions before diving into the outright betting market.
Don’t take tips as gospel - While Stake regularly posts tips, watch as many races as possible and use your newfound knowledge to influence your betting decisions.
Manage financial expectations - Have an idea of how much you wish to wager on each race before betting? Stake has a gambling calculator that can help determine how much money you should allocate.
Keep a detailed record of past bets - The most conscientious bettors will keep tabs on how past wagers have performed. If you are on a cold streak, tweak things and adapt accordingly. You may reap the rewards.
For expert tips and predictions, hear from Stake partner and racing legend, Frankie Dettori! Keep your eyes peeled for updates and exclusive promotions from the World's Greatest Jockey.
Most Popular Betting Options
Horse racing is replete with many betting terms that may be alien to some players. Let’s assess some of the most popular types of bets:
Win Bets - These are exactly as they sound and eminently simple. You just have to predict who will win the race. Think of this as moneyline betting.
Each-Way - You will be betting on a specific horse finishing first, and there will be an equal-sized bet on its placing. Learn more about each way bets, and how they compare to place bets over on our blog.
Trifecta - This type of exotic bet will be on the specific order of a race, with a bet on a horse to finish first, second, or third.
Superfecta - Imitating the trifecta, the fourth-placed horse must be chosen correctly to return a winning wager. Read our detailed exotic betting guide for more information.
Flexi Betting: With a flexi bet, you can place a combination of selections within an exotic bet for a smaller outlay, reducing the risk.
Stake has plenty of ways for users to fund their accounts. This includes many reliable cryptos, including Solana (SOL), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETC), Litecoin (LTC) and there is a designated vault that shows you how to store them. If you are unsure, you can speak to customer support.
Meanwhile, Stake is always advertising promotions, both weekly and monthly. This can entail free bets and matched deposits, or if you are a high roller, there is a VIP Club. Climb the ladder and tap into great rewards, such as cashback priority and access to a VIP host.
You can also check out our sports betting guide to learn more. However, always remember to gamble responsibly so you get the most from wagering on horse racing. For more information on the international racing scene, you can also find out more about betting on todays races in regions like America, Asia and Australia & NZ.
