Royal Ascot may be known for waistcoats and wide brims, but at its heart, it is a meeting of horses—and those who wish to back them. Betting is as much a part of the tradition as the pageantry, and for many, it's part of the fun.
If you've never placed a bet on a horse, or only once did so under social pressure at the Grand National, don't worry. Here's a practical and gently wry guide for anyone attending Royal Ascot who fancies a small flutter without the fog.
🏇 Where to Place a Bet at Royal Ascot
At the racecourse, you have three main options:
1. On-Course Bookmakers
These are the individuals (often in trilbies) standing behind boards with changing odds. You place a fixed-odds bet: what you see is what you get, and your price is locked the moment your bet is accepted.
🪙 Most still prefer cash, though some now accept cards. Bring both.
2. The Tote (Pool Betting)
The Tote is a form of pool betting, where all stakes are grouped together and the total pot is divided among winners. Your odds are not fixed when you place the bet—they're determined after the race, based on how many others bet and on whom.
🧾 Tote stations are scattered across the racecourse. You can also bet via the Tote.co.uk app.
If you're unsure: Tote for simplicity, Bookie for theatre.
3. Online or Mobile Apps
Betting apps such as Bet365, Paddy Power, William Hill, and Tote allow private betting from your phone. It's fast, discreet, and avoids queues—but signal at Ascot can be weak. Place key bets early in the day or before arrival.
💷 How to Say It
At a bookmaker's stand, you'll need to name your horse and stake. For example:
“£10 win on number 3.”
“£5 each-way on Rosallion.”
They'll confirm the odds, print a slip, and hand it to you. That slip is your claim if you win. Keep it safe.
📊 Types of Bets Explained
🏆 Win
You are backing a horse to finish first. If it doesn't win, you lose.
🥈 Each-Way
An each-way bet is two bets in one:
- Half your stake goes on the horse to win
- Half goes on the horse to place
📍 What Does Placing Mean?
A placed horse is one that finishes in the top few positions—not first, but still among the leaders. The exact number of places that count varies:
- For handicaps with 16+ runners, the first four finishers place
- For races with 8–15 runners, it’s the first three
- For races with 5–7 runners, only the first two
- For races with 4 or fewer runners, only the winner counts
📝 When you bet each-way, you'll win something if your horse finishes in a place—but less than if it had won.
🎯 Forecast and Tricast (For the Bold)
These are exotic bets that require predicting the exact finishing order of two or more horses:
Forecast
- You choose two horses
- You must predict 1st and 2nd in the correct order
- e.g. “£2 forecast on 4 to win, 7 to place second”
Reverse Forecast
- Same as above, but you'll win if they come 1st and 2nd in either order
- This costs double, as it's two separate bets
Tricast
- You choose three horses
- You must predict 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in order
- e.g. “£1 tricast on 6, 3, 9” means 6 must win, 3 second, 9 third
🎩 These bets are difficult to win but offer higher payouts. We suggest them for sport, not strategy.
📖 What's a Racecard?
A racecard is your printed or digital guide to the day's races. It lists:
- Race times and distances
- Runner names and numbers
- Jockeys, trainers, and owners
- Recent performance (called form)
- Odds or expected prices
🗂️ Think of it as the theatre programme of the turf. You can find racecards at the course or online the night before.
🗞 What Is the Racing Post?
The Racing Post is the UK's leading horse racing publication and website. It offers race previews, horse stats, expert tips, and up-to-the-minute odds. Whether you want to understand a horse's recent form, or read what the professionals think, this is your go-to.
🎯 Choosing a Horse (The Truth)
Some people study breeding, ground conditions, draw bias, and sectional times. Others pick the grey one.
Both approaches are equally valid.
Acceptable selection criteria:
- A name you like
- A jockey wearing your school or club colours
- A name that reminds you of a family member
- A tip from your barber
- A tip from our blog, tomorrow
📚 For a real edge, combine the Racing Post, the racecard, and someone with a pen behind their ear.
💵 Collecting Your Winnings
If you bet on-course, return to the same bookmaker with your slip after the race. They'll pay you in cash. For Tote bets, use any Tote counter.
If you bet via app, winnings are credited automatically.
🧾 Don't try to collect mid-race. It's unbecoming.
🎩 Betting Etiquette
- Don’t wager loudly or with false bravado
- Keep your betting slip neat and your commentary brief
- Offer congratulations (and condolences) gracefully
- If you win big, consider buying a round
🍾 Final Thoughts
Betting at Ascot isn't compulsory. But putting down £5 each-way can turn a spectator into a participant. Whether you're backing a Godolphin favourite or the one whose name reminds you of your Aunt Maureen, you're part of the great theatre of the turf.
Win or lose, the thrill is in the thundering moment—when hooves strike earth and the roar rises from the grandstand.
