RacingBetter News
	Tuesday 24th June 2025

How Irish and UK Bettors Approach Horse Racing Differently – And What You Can Learn

Horse racing remains one of the most popular sports to bet on in both the UK and Ireland. Only football commands more betting attention in these regions, where prestigious horse racing events have been held for generations.

Many of the best horse racing betting sites, as recommended by Lewis Humphries, operate across both Ireland and the UK. These platforms offer comprehensive race coverage, a wide range of markets, and targeted bonuses tailored to each jurisdiction.

But do Irish and UK punters approach horse racing differently? If so, what are the key distinctions, and what can you learn from these differences when building your bet slips?

Recognising the Increased Dominance of Irish Runners and Trainers

The rivalry between Irish and UK horse racing has long been competitive. However, in recent years, Irish-trained runners have increasingly dominated, thanks in large part to the continued success of legendary trainers like Willie Mullins and Aidan O’Brien.

Mullins, for example, celebrated his 100th Cheltenham Festival win in 2024. O’Brien, meanwhile, has claimed five 1000 Guineas titles in the past decade and holds a record 10 victories in the 2000 Guineas since 1998. His runners continue to excel both domestically and internationally.

Another indicator of Ireland’s ascendancy is the Prestbury Cup, a competition introduced in 2014 to track Irish vs UK winners at the Cheltenham Festival. Ireland has claimed victory in nine of the eleven editions to date (including 2025), with the UK managing just two wins and one draw (in 2019).

Irish bettors are likely more attuned to this trend, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by bookmakers either. Ahead of the 2025 Prestbury Cup, for example, Ireland’s odds of winning were as low as 1.11, compared to a much longer 15.00 for a UK win.

This is a crucial trend to consider when betting on races involving both UK and Irish runners, especially high-profile events. While it’s tempting to bet patriotically, successful punters typically combine form analysis with broader insights like these to make informed decisions.

The Choice of Sportsbooks

As mentioned, many top-tier horse racing betting sites are available to both UK and Irish punters. However, bettors in each country often have different preferences, influenced by individual habits and local search engine results.

In Ireland, BoyleSports is often the bookmaker of choice. The site provides an excellent array of horse racing promotions, such as daily rewards for bets settled at odds of 2.00 or greater. There’s also a money-back offer as a free bet if your selection finishes second to the starting price favourite, offering some insurance when backing slight outsiders.

For UK bettors, William Hill remains a leading and trusted choice. It offers best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish races, meaning if the starting price is higher than the odds you took, your winning bet will be paid at the higher price.

William Hill also features daily odds boosts on horse racing, allowing punters to enhance the returns on selected bets up to a maximum payout of €20.

Regardless of location, punters should compare the full range of bookmakers before placing a bet. Consider factors like race coverage, competitiveness of odds, and ongoing promotions. For reliable insights, the Betinireland site offers in-depth reviews and bookmaker ratings.

Irish Bettors Tend to Lose More

According to a YouGov study, around 37% of UK respondents had placed a horse racing bet in the past year, just behind football, which saw a 45% participation rate.

In Ireland, the numbers are even higher. An estimated 61% of adults placed at least one sports wager in 2024, with football and horse racing accounting for much of that activity, particularly focused around the highest profile meetings.

However, Irish bettors consistently record higher gambling losses compared to their UK counterparts. In 2018, Ireland had the third-highest gambling losses per capita globally, averaging around €470 per adult. Only Australia and Singapore reported higher losses.

By contrast, the UK ranked 10th on the same list, despite similar participation rates. This suggests Irish punters may be staking larger amounts per race in pursuit of bigger wins, resulting in greater risk and higher average losses.

Such losses can be unsustainable in the long run. Irish bettors could benefit from applying more disciplined bankroll management and staking smaller amounts per race. Given the unpredictable nature of horse racing, managing risk is key to long-term success.

Conclusion

While horse racing remains a shared passion across the UK and Ireland, bettors in each country approach the sport in distinct ways. Understanding these differences can help you make more informed choices, improve your betting discipline, and ultimately enhance your overall experience. Whether you're supporting Irish victories or searching for value in UK markets, having the right knowledge and maintaining balance are essential tools for navigating the races effectively.