Best Galway Races Bookmakers for 2025:
The Galway Races is a luxurious festival held annually at the end of July. It is held at the Ballybrit Racecourse in Ireland. There is a combination of races: from National Hunt to flat races.
| #1 |  | QuinnBet | 5/5 | €40 Free Bet | SEE OFFER > |
| Deposit at least €10 to your account and place a qualifying first bet of at least €10 at odds of evens (2.00) or greater on any sports market of your choice, within 7 days of registration. After the qualifying bet has settled you will receive 3x €10 Free Bets to use on any sports markets, and 1x €10 Free Bet to use on accumulators (3+ selections). After 7 days, the Free Bets will expire. T&Cs apply | 18+ New IRE Customers Only | GamblingCare.ie | Gamble Responsibly | |||||
| #2 |  | BOYLE Sports | 4.9/5 | €50 in Free Bets | SEE OFFER > |
| IRE/NI new customers only. €/£40 in FREE Bets (FB) as €/£30 in sports bets & a €/£10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit €/£10. Min stake €/£10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept €/£10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable €/£100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply. T&Cs apply | |||||
| #3 |  | bet365 | 4.8/5 | €30 in Free Bets | SEE OFFER > |
| New Customers only. Bet €10* & Get €30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between €5* and €10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. | |||||
| #4 |  | Livescore Bet | 4.7/5 | €50 in Free Bets | SEE OFFER > |
| *New members only. Min €10 deposit & bet on sportsbook (ex. virtual, forecasts & tricasts), placed & settled in 14 days of sign-up. Min odds EVS. Free Bets: valid 7 days on sportsbook. Stakes not returned. T&Cs apply. Click here for full T&Cs.Bet Responsibly. Gamblingcare.ie. 18+ | |||||
| #5 |  | Tonybet | 4.6/5 | €100 Bonus | SEE OFFER > |
| 18+. T&C Apply | |||||
| #6 |  | Unibet | 4.4/5 | Bet €10 Get €40 + €10 | SEE OFFER > |
| 18+. T&C Apply | |||||
| #7 |  | William Hill | 4.3/5 | €40 Free Bet | SEE OFFER > |
| 18+ Play Safe. New customers using Promo code BB40 only. Min €10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 4 x €10, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below. gamblingtherapy.org | |||||
| #8 |  | Ladbrokes | 4.2/5 | €20 Free Bet | SEE OFFER > |
| Significant terms: 18+. UK+IRE customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excluded. Min £/€5 first bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £/€5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stakes not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. | |||||
| #9 |  | Coral | 4.1/5 | €20 Free Bet | SEE OFFER > |
| 18+, IRE & UK only, Inital €5 Free Bet must be placed within 14 days of account opening to get 4x €5 free bets, available for selected markets only, see their website for full T&Cs. | |||||
In our guide, we will evaluate the best Galway Races bookmakers and their betting markets. Furthermore, we will delve into the long history of the prosperous competition and discuss winning strategies to help you predict the upcoming results.
How We Pick The Best Galway Races Bookmakers
Choosing one singular Irish betting site without any research is impossible, as there are thousands of bookmakers. The best bookies have an amalgamation of the features below, so be sure to look out for them.
| Sign Up Process | A fast sign up process is essential when betting on the Galway Races, as you want to skip straight to the action. A registration form should take no longer than 5 minutes to fill out, and verification of your account is a safety feature that may take up to 1 day. |
| Variety Of Betting Markets | Horse racing is one of the most popular sports to bet on, therefore it is no surprise you can pick from plenty of betting markets. A good Galway Races bookie will have a selection of popular and niche markets to pick from. |
| Regular Promotions | In addition to a generous welcome bonus, a Galway Races betting site should also offer punters consistent promotions. This includes horse racing bonuses like enhanced odds, best odds guaranteed, early cash out, and cash back for any losses. |
| Mobile App | As well as a user-friendly website, it is important for betting sites to have a handy mobile app available on both iOS and Android. This will allow you to place remote bets. |
| Live Streaming | As the Galway Races are held in Ireland, there is great national coverage of the event. Nonetheless, there are a broad range of prestigious horse races throughout the year that are difficult to find, therefore an Irish bookmaker with quality live streaming capabilities is essential. |
| In-Play Betting | In-play betting is a key feature that allows punters to simultaneously place bets whilst watching the Galway Races. The odds are unbeatable, just be sure to wager before time runs out. |
Best Galway Races Bookmakers
Below you will find our four top bookmakers for the Galway Races, along with their pros and cons.
QuinnBet
Pros
- In-play betting on the Galway Races
- Cash out before the end of the race
- Live streaming of the Galway races and plenty more horse racing events via iOS and Android
Cons
- No telephone number to get into contact with
QuinnBet is a contemporary Galway Races betting site, founded in 2017, that has rapidly expanded across Ireland and the United Kingdom. The bookmaker offers 25 different sports including horse racing, of which there are plenty of events to choose from. This includes the Galway Races, Epsom Derby, Sussex Stakes, and Grand National.
Aside from their highly competitive odds, Quinnbet offers a variety of horse racing promotions. Firstly, they offer money back in the form of free bets if the starting price is higher than the initial odds you staked on. Furthermore, the Best Odds Guaranteed means that you are promised to receive the highest value for your money. In addition, there is extra place specials, meaning that at least 1 extra place is added to each-way bets. As a result, the horse you are backing is given more chance to place.
QuinnBet pride themselves on their up-to-date blog, where you can find the latest news on many of the horses in the Galway Races. This way you can save yourself the arduous hassle of research every day, but can instead log onto the betting site and find any important information within minutes.
Lastly, the QuinnBet welcome bonus is redeemed when you bet only €10, offering you €50 on the online sportsbook as well as 10 free spins to use on the online casino.
BoyleSports
Pros
- Best Odds Guaranteed on all horse racing includes the Galway Races
- Free high-quality live streaming of the races
- BoyleXTRA loyalty scheme
Cons
- Less competitive Galway Races live betting odds
BoyleSports is arguably the best Irish betting site, especially for horse racing. Launched in Northern Ireland in 1982, the trustworthy company has opened 320 branches across both Ireland and the United Kingdom and have amassed an army of loyal customers. The company even sponsor some of the Galway Races events, making them the ideal bookmaker for wagering.
Once you create an account, you can watch the Galway Rcaes for free, simply by logging in to the site. You can also access a multitude of promotions, one of the most valuable being Fair Play Free Bet. This means that if the horse you are backing doesn’t start, your stake will be returned to you instead of having to incur a loss. Furthermore, BoyleSports offers Best Odds Guaranteed, to make sure that the odds are competitive and fair.
It is also worth noting that with the rewards card, BoyleXTRA, you can receive numerous promotions such as money back on the Galway Races, super odds, and surprise free bets.
Lastly, the BoyleSports welcome offer for the Galway Races is extremely generous. When you bet only €10, you will receive €50 to spend in the online sportsbook, in addition to the other regular promotions you can later receive as a returning customer.
Bet365
Pros
- Competitive live betting Galway Races odds
- Live streaming of all Irish and UK races
- Bet boosts on all races
Cons
- Slower withdrawal times than other horse racing betting sites
Bet365, founded in 2000, is a globally recognised sportsbook that offers its customer over 40 different sports to bet on, including horse racing. This is the sport that they are especially famous for, because of the countless promotions you can find on the platform.
Bet365 offers Bet Boosts on the Galway Races, which means that your odds can be astronomically increased and therefore your potential profits are much higher. In addition, there are Best Odds Guaranteed, to ensure that you are getting the highest odds between the starting price and your stake odds.
As well as this, the Non-Runner No Bet policy means that you can receive a return on your stake if the horse you are backing doesn’t run and is disqualified. This offer is available on all bets including ante-posts made months in advance, unlike many other bookmakers that don’t allow this. Lastly, the enhanced places promotion gives you leeway and adds places to an each-way bet.
When you first register with Bet365, you can bet €10 to receive €30 in free bets for horse racing.
Novibet
Pros
- Generous Galway Races welcome bonus
- Competitive live odds on the races
- The latest news and odds on horse racing
Cons
- No live streaming of the Galway Races
Established in 2010, Novibet is the ideal betting site to use for the Galway Races. It is a reliable sportsbook that is well known for its user-friendly website, organised platform, and handy mobile app. It is famous for competitive odds on sports like horse racing and football, but for this guide we will focus solely on horse racing.
Novibet has a huge variety of Galway Races betting markets, including outright winner, each-way betting, forecast and tricast betting, and other niche types of wagers. Although they regrettably do not offer live streaming of the week-long event, their in-play betting odds make up for this error.
Furthermore, Novibet offer engaging features such as a useful page dedicated to live updates on Galway Races updates. This includes recent performances, statistics, and other important fixtures. Punters can also find features like early cash out, allowing you close your wager early, but be sure to act quickly.
The Novibet welcome bonus is extremely competitive. Upon registration you will receive a no-deposit welcome offer and immediately get €20 in free bets. Later, when you bet only €10, you can receive €50 in free bets.
Galway Races Betting Markets
Listed below you will find the most well-known and profitable Galway Races betting markets.
Outright Winner
In 2025 alone, there will be 49 races. Consequently, there are 49 chances to bet on the winner of each race. Simply put, this is a wager that requires you to predict which horse will take 1st place. Depending on the race, the number of horse running will vary hugely. However, by carefully researching the previous form of the horses, you can more effectively choose the winning horse.
Each Way Betting
An each-way bet can be split into two: a win bet, and a place bet. Hence, your initial stake will be doubled, but your potential payout will also be higher. For example, your initial stake of €10 would be doubled and so you would need €20, to cover both selections.
- Win Bet: horse takes 1st place
- Place Bet: horse ranks in the top places (this could be Top 2, Top 3, Top 5 etc)
For every selection your favourite horse fulfils, you receive a payout.
Forecast Betting
A forecast bet is simple. You must simply pick the two horses you think will come in 1st place and 2nd place.
- If you pick them in the correct order this is straight forecast betting
- If you pick them in correct or reverse order this is reverse forecast betting
Tricast Betting
In a similar way, tricast betting requires you to pick which three horses you think will come in 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place.
- If you pick them in the correct order this is straight tricast betting
- If you pick them in correct or reverse order this is reverse tricast betting
Galway Races History
The Galway Races are a historical competition that founded in 1898, although horse racing has been a tradition in the area since the 13th century. As a result, it is a highly anticipated event that brings punters, spectators and viewers together in unison.
There have been many winners of the Galway Races before, but the two principal races include the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle. These are by far the most watched events, and below is list of the most recent winners.
Galway Plate
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2023 | Ash Tree Meadow | Danny Gilligan | Gordon Elliot |
| 2022 | Hewick | Jordan Gainford | John Hanlon |
| 2021 | Royal Rendezvous | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 2020 | Early Doors | Mark Walsh | Joseph O’Brien |
Galway Hurdle
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2023 | Zarack The Brave | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 2022 | Tudor City | Liam McKenna | Tony Martin |
| 2021 | Saldier | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 2020 | Aramon | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins |
As you can see, it is worthwhile researching previous winners. Many of the winning horses have the same jockeys and trainers over the years, as these are the most successful professionals that are prominent in horse racing.
Galway Races Betting Offers
The Galway Races are widely recognised across the globe, which subsequently means that betting sites advertise their odds to attract you to their site. They also promote a range of bonuses, such as those mentioned below.
Welcome Offers
Welcome offers are by far the most profitable bonuses out there. Unfortunately, they have a one-time usage, so be sure to use them wisely.
Popular welcome offers include:
- Bet X and Get Y Back: this is the most prevalent type of welcome offer which comes in the form of a free bet. It may look something like ‘Bet €5 and get €20 in free bets’
- Matched Deposits: this is another type of free bet offer. It may look something like ‘Win up to €100 in free bets with our 100% matched deposit’
- Cash Back: this is a type of welcome offer that will compensate you for your first unsuccessful wagers. It may look something like ‘50% cash back on your first and second losses’
Enhanced Odds
Enhanced odds, otherwise known as odds boosts, are a temporary offer which is usually promoted on the day of a certain race. They are hugely profitable but don’t last long, so be sure to snatch them up if they are applicable on your favourite horses.
For example, you may be betting on the Ladies Day race. Let’s say you are looking to stake €15.
| Horse | Initial Odds | Enhanced Odds |
| Runner Z | 9/2 | 25/1 |
If you lost the bet, you would simply lose your stake of €15. If you won the bet without the promotion, you would make a profit of €67.50. Alternatively, if you won the bet with the promotion, you would make a profit of €375. As a result, you can see that the enhanced odds promotion is extremely beneficial.
Non-Runner No Bet
The non-runner no bet policy is available for all Galway Races on the majority Irish betting sites. Essentially, it means that if you place a bet on a horse and it doesn’t run, for any of the reasons listed below, your stake will be returned back to you. In contrast, without this promotion, you would unluckily lose your stake.
Reasons for a horse to be declared a non-runner include:
- Injury to the horse or jockey
- Transportation issues
- Refusing to enter the stall before the competition
Usually, this does not include ante-post betting. The promotion is only valid if the horse was declared a runner when you bet on it.
Strategies To Pick A Winner At The Galway Races
Although you can never bet with certainty of a successful wager, there are a few strategies that are useful to bear in mind. Using them will help you place a more informed bet.
Research The Horse, Jockey And Trainer
Undoubtedly the best strategy for betting on the Galway Races is to do your research. For example, you could research the previous winners of the races and compare it to the jockeys and trainers for next year. The same familiar names tend to pop up, so it is worthwhile to be aware.
In-Play Betting
We suggest in-play betting for wagering on the Galway Races. Not only does it provide a unique perspective in a fast-paced environment, but it allows you the opportunity to take advantage of very high odds.
When in-play betting, it is imperative to have a high-quality live stream of the races. Many Irish betting sites advertise this, but it is important to make sure that they have good visuals, audio, and are in real-time. This way you can live bet without any lagging, which could hinder your chances of a successful wager.
Ante-Post Betting
Another type of wager to consider is ante-post betting. This is a great strategy if you have done your research beforehand, and don’t mind waiting months for the outcome. When ante-post betting, you must bet on the winning horse in advance. Take into account previous winners, and the form at the time. Some betting sites offer the non-runner no bet policy for ante-post betting too, which means that if your horse doesn’t run you won’t lose any money.
FAQ On Galway Races
In conclusion, betting on the Galway Races is a thrilling experience that can be amplified by choosing the best Irish betting sites, utilising great promotions, and using the top strategies. Below we have included some of the most commonly asked questions that punters may have on the Galway races, and betting in general.
How Do I Place A Galway Races Bet?
To place a Galway Races bet, follow these simple instructions.
- Register to a new betting site or log into your account
- Find the sports section and choose horse racing
- Browse the find the Galway Races betting section
- Choose the market you wish to wager on (e.g. outright winner, each-way betting, forecast betting, tricast betting, etc)
- Compare sites the make sure you have the best odds
- Deposit money into your account to stake and place the bet
- Wait for the outcome
You may have to wait up to 5 days to withdraw your earnings, depending on the bookmaker and payment method you are using.
What Are The Best Galway Races Betting Sites?
Our top pick for the best Galway Races betting sites is Quinn Bet, Boyle Sports, Bet 365, and Novibet. This is because they have a swift registration process, generous welcome offers, competitive odds, robust security, safety measures, regular promotions, engaging features like horse race live streaming, and 24/7 customer support.
Other good bookmakers for the Galway Races include Tony Bet, Bet Victor, Leo Vegas Sport, 10 Bet, William Hill, Ladbrokes, and Bet Way.