How to Bet on Horse Racing in India? Odds & Betting Guide

Q: What is a horse racing bet called?

It is commonly called a wager .

Raj Patel18-02-20250 comments

How to Bet on Horse Racing in India_Odds & Betting Guide

Table Of Content

Confused by all the rules and reviews? You’ve Googled ‘How to bet on horse racing in India’ or ‘Horse racing rules in India’ and still have no clue how it works? We’ve got you covered! This guide breaks down everything you need to know. Learn the essentials here, then head over to a legal horse racing platform—and start turning your bets into cash.

How to Bet on Horse Racing (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you are new to horse race betting, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Choose a Horse Race Betting Site or App

Select a platform that offers:

Indian & international races
Secure payment methods
Fast withdrawals

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Step 2: Create an Account & Complete KYC

Step 3: Deposit Money

Most platforms support:

UPI
Net banking
Debit cards
E-wallets

Step 4: Select a Race and Horse

Browse upcoming races and review:

Horse form
Jockey stats
Odds

Step 5: Place Your Bet

Choose a bet type, enter the amount, and confirm.

Step 6: Track Results

Watch live races or check results once the race ends.

Horse Racing Fundamentals: Distances & Duration

Typically, a horse race will have 8 to 12 horses participating (depending on the scale), and each race lasts around 1 to 3 minutes. Players will win the corresponding prize money if the horse they bet on wins (the odds vary depending on the strength of each horse).

Horse racing distances are divided into: short, medium, and long.
Short track: 1000 m, 1200 m, 1400 m.
Medium track: 1600 m and 1800 m.
Long track: 2000 m, 2400 m, 3200 m.”

Indian Derby,’ the biggest horse race in India, features a 2400m track! In this long-distance race, the horses will race for about 3 minutes to cross the finish line.

The common types of horse racing bets

Win Bet

You win if your chosen horse finishes first.

Place Bet

You win if the horse finishes first or second (sometimes third, depending on race size).

Show Bet

You win if the horse finishes in the top three.

Each-Way Bet

A combination of win + place, offering reduced risk.

Exacta Bet

Predict the first two horses in exact order.

Quinella Bet

Predict the first two horses in any order.

Trifecta Bet

Predict the first three horses in exact order (high payout).

Most countries, including India, the UK, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Africa, Sweden, and Australia, have similar types of horse racing bets.

In India, the main types of bets are Win, Place, and Win/Place. For beginners, I recommend starting with a ‘Win’ bet, as it’s easy to play. You can place a bet at Vegas11 with just ₹50.

Betting types	India	UK	HK	Malaysia	South Africa	Sweden	Australia
Win	√	√	√	√	√	√	√
Place	√	√	√	√	√	√	√
Each Way	×	√	×	×	×	×	√
Forecast / Exacta	√	√	√	√	√	√	√
Quinella	×	×	√	√	√	×	√
Trifecta	√	√	√	√	√	√	√
Reverse Forecast	×	√	×	×	×	×	×
Tierce / Trio	×	×	√	√	×	×	×
Six Up / Pick 6 / Jackpot	×	×	√	×	√	×	√
Triple Trio	×	×	√	×	×	×	×
Patent / Yankee / Lucky 15	×	√	×	×	×	×	×
Quartet	×	×	×	×	√	×	√
V75 / V64 / V86	×	×	×	×	×	√	×
First Four	×	×	×	×	×	×	√
Quaddie / Big 6	×	×	×	×	×	×	√

Understanding Horse Racing Odds & Payouts

Odds determine how much you win from a successful bet.

What Do Betting Odds Mean?

Odds represent the probability of a horse winning and the payout you receive.

Decimal vs Fractional Odds

Decimal Odds (e.g., 3.00) – Total return includes stake
Fractional Odds (e.g., 2/1) – Profit relative to stake

What Does +200 Mean in Horse Betting?

A +200 odd means:

You win ₹200 profit on a ₹100 bet
Total return = ₹300

How Payouts Are Calculated

Payout = Stake × Odds

Indian horse racing odds are usually displayed in ‘decimal odds’ format! For example: 3.8, 1.6. With odds of 3.8, a 100-rupee bet wins you 280 rupees after deducting your stake.

Understanding the odds also helps improve your chances of winning. For example, the horse Always Shining, ridden by jockey C Little, has odds of 3.8 for a Win and 1.2 for Place. This means Always Shining has a 95% chance of winning and an 83.3% chance of placing.

Which means, when you choose jockey C Little, the chances of winning with a Win bet (95%) are higher than with a Place bet (83.3%).

Read More：Fantasy Cricket Tips and Predictions: Best Strategies & Top Websites

Horse racing betting sites recommendation

There are many websites in India where you can bet on real-money horse racing. Be sure to choose reputable sites with good reviews! Recommended: Vegas11, 1xBet, Betfair, Bet365, Sportingbet, or public TV channels like Doordarshan

Vegas11

Create an account and get free access to live horse racing streams from all over the world! With Vegas11, you can enjoy a secure platform that speaks your language – literally.

Vegas11’s Animal Lounge – RCB Horse Racing allows you to place bets starting from ₹50 on horse races from around the world, including India, the UK, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and more.

1xBet

Online horse racing betting is available with a minimum bet of 100 rupees, but no free access to live streams.

Bet365

Bet365 offers betting on horse racing, dog racing, and other animal sports. However, Indian players need a VPN to access the site, and it doesn’t support Indian bank transfers for deposits.

Public TV channels in India, like Doordarshan, primarily offer free live broadcasts of popular sports such as cricket, football, and hockey, with fewer horse racing broadcasts. We recommend joining Vegas11 for free live horse racing streams.

India’s Top 5 Horse Racing Clubs and Race Schedules

Race Schedules for India’s Top Horse Racing Clubs:

Mumbai: Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC)
Bangalore: Bangalore Turf Club
Kolkata: Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC)
Chennai: Madras Race Club
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Race Club

Here’s the betting schedule from Vegas11 RCB Horse Racing Sports Room! Most domestic races in India are held from Thursday to Sunday. Bet with just ₹50 and support your favorite horse!

Date Nation	India	UK	HK	Malaysia	South Africa	Sweden	Australia
Mon
Tue			√
Wed		√	√				√
Thur	√	√					√
Fri	√	√			√	√
Sat	√	√	√	√	√	√	√
Sun	√		√	√	√	√	√

What are the major racecourses in India?

Mahalaxmi Racecourse

Located in Mumbai and established in 1883, it is one of the most prestigious racecourses in India. Every February, it hosts the top event in horse racing, the “Indian Derby.” The overall design is influenced by the Epsom Downs Racecourse in England and boasts high-quality facilities.

Royal Calcutta Turf Club

Built in 1847, Kolkata’s racecourse has a history of 178 years and is hailed as the “Equestrian Capital of the East.” Its most famous event is the Calcutta Derby. The racecourse features a unique grass track, comparable to European racecourse standards.

Bangalore Turf Club

Established in 1868, the Bangalore Racecourse features unique dual tracks of dirt and grass, catering to various types of horse racing events. It is renowned for high-quality horse competitions, attracting numerous horse racing enthusiasts.

Hyderabad Race Club

Hyderabad’s most modern racecourse, established in 1920, is best known for the Deccan Derby. Although the track is smaller in size, it boasts the fastest grass track in India, ideal for short-distance races. With stable weather year-round, it hosts more frequent racing seasons.

Horse Race Betting FAQs

Conversion of horse racing distance units?

In India, distances are commonly measured in meters (m), while international races use the unit Furlongs.
(e.g. A distance of 1000m is equivalent to 5 Furlongs.)

Horse racing distance?

Common horse racing distances in the world are: 2400m, 2000m, 1600m, and 1200m.

Indian Derby: Annual Venue and Date?

Indian Derby is held on the first Sunday of every February. The event lasts for just one day and takes place at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai.

What is the winner’s prize?

The champion prize money exceeds 30 million rupees. (The prize amount may vary each year depending on the sponsors)

How much does it cost to own a horse in India?

Taking the Indian Derby as an example: the initial purchase cost, daily maintenance expenses (feed and accommodation, training costs, veterinary care, race entry fees, and other miscellaneous expenses), etc.

Initial purchase cost: Approximately 90,000 to 140,000 Indian Rupees (around 1,080 to 1,680 USD)

Monthly additional expenses: Approximately 40,000 to 70,000 Indian Rupees (around 480 to 840 USD)

What is the 80/20 rule in betting?

It suggests focusing on the 20% of bets that deliver 80% of profits.

Can I bet on horse racing online in India?

Yes, horse race betting is legal and available online.

Which is the best horse race betting app in India?

The best app for horse race betting is Vegas11 offers secure payments, fast withdrawals, and live race coverage.

How do you bet on a horse race?

Choose a betting site, select a race, pick a horse, choose a bet type, and place your wager.

What is a horse racing bet called?

It is commonly called a wager.