Even the biggest horse racing enthusiasts can’t attend every horse racing meeting in person. You might bring it down to the biggest or most important horse racing fixtures during the season, but it will still be quite taxing on your free time and budget. Does that mean you have to skip your favourite races altogether and only find out the results after they happen? Absolutely not!
In this article, we will discuss how you can watch horse racing live in the UK, what sources offer free streaming, how they compare to each other, and tips on how to enhance your watching experience.
How to Watch Horse Racing Live in the UK
If following the next horse race from home is your only option, don’t be discouraged. You will actually find that there are quite a number of options at your service to choose from, allowing you to see the developments on the tracks as they happen. Most of these options can be divided into three large categories.
TV Channels
This is the most traditional way to watch any sports event. Dedicated sports channels will allocate time to broadcast large scale horse races live.
For free-to-air coverage, ITV Racing is the main option in the UK. Major race days and festivals such as the Grand National, Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival and the Derby are usually shown across ITV1, ITV4, STV and ITVX.
For more regular coverage, there are two dedicated racing channels: Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing. Racing TV covers racing from many leading British racecourses as well as all Irish racecourses, while Sky Sports Racing broadcasts live racing, racecards, results, replays and racing news.
While you might need to pay a subscription for the channel itself, you don’t need to pay extra to watch the race you want. Keep in mind, though, that most TV channels, especially the free ones, will have a limited selection of races and usually only air major events.
Online Platforms
TVX streams ITV Racing coverage, making it useful for free-to-air race days and major festivals. Racing TV also offers live streaming through its website and apps, including subscription access and day-pass options.
Online platforms offer the convenience of mobility. They are often compatible with mobile devices, so you can watch the race from absolutely anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. They also tend to have a larger coverage than TV, streaming a wider selection of races. Most online platforms come with a subscription fee or a day pass.
Bookmaker Streaming
Nowadays many major bookmakers offer in-built streaming on their platforms. This is the best option if you like to follow not only high profile events but daily races as well. Access is usually granted to existing customers, and while you don’t have to pay separately to watch the stream, sometimes you might be required to make a bet. This option is best designed for horse racing bettors who like to follow the race they have just betted on or want to stay in the loop.
Live Horse Racing Streaming Options
If you prefer to watch horse racing online rather than on TV, you won’t be left unsatisfied. Quite the opposite, in most cases you will get a more extensive day to day coverage of horse racing events and individual races. However, you have to remember that live horse racing stream service sometimes comes with a subscription price. Let’s take a look at the available options.
TV Channels
With the development of the digital era, most TV channels opted for having an online platform that repeats their programme partially or in full. For example, in the UK, ITV now has its online counterpart ITVX.
Most of the time, the streaming version of a TV channel is free of charge, though it may offer a premium package subject to subscription, where you can, for example, watch the content ad free or download some videos to watch them offline.
Mobile Apps
Most streaming services like Racing TV, as well as bookmaking platforms, offer designated apps that you can install on your mobile device to watch their programmes on the go. The app download itself is usually free, but you still have to purchase a subscription from the streaming service.
On top of access to races, apps give you an opportunity to access racecards and results, view replays, and some other additional perks. If it is a bookmaking platform app, you can also use it to place a bet.
Websites
A more traditional way of streaming, watching a horse race directly on the website of the service doesn’t require you to download anything. You can follow the race directly in your browser. While this option is also available on your mobile device, not every platform optimises their videos for tablets or smartphones. That’s why watching on your laptop or PC will usually give better results.
Other than that, there aren’t many major differences. You will, of course, have to pay for a subscription.
Watch Horse Racing Live Free in the UK
When it comes to domestic opportunities to watch horse racing live, free UK options available to you include TV broadcasters and bookmaking platforms.
ITV Racing is the major provider of live coverage of racing events in the UK. While they do limit their programme to free to air events, you will still get an impressive selection of all major horse racing events.
For a more extensive access covering daily races, bookmaker platforms are a good choice. Look for major bookmakers that offer streaming to their customers. Sometimes you might be asked to make a bet, but often you can watch the race you are interested in live just by creating and logging into your account with the bookmaker. Always opt for reputable platforms with a licence obtained from a recognised regulatory authority.
How to Access Horse Racing Live Streams
Accessing horse racing live streams on online platforms is a fairly easy process that can be done in a few simple steps. Make sure you have a stable internet connection to get the best experience.
- Find the platforms that best fits your requirements.
- Go to their registration page and sign up for an account.
- In the menu, find the race you want to watch.
- As soon as the race starts, you can enjoy the stream.
Major Events You Can Watch Live
The largest events on the national horse racing calendar get coverage from all designated broadcasters and are available to watch live. Some of them include not only the races themselves but also the surrounding festivities like the opening and award ceremony.
Cheltenham Festival
ITV Racing broadcasts most of the Cheltenham Festival races each day, while Racing TV gives you access to all races. Most bookmakers also stream the meeting as the Cheltenham Festival is a large event in sports betting.
Grand National
The Grand National has been televised on free to air TV in the UK since 1960. From 2017 onwards, ITV holds the rights for broadcasting the race, while also showing most races live. Racing TV provides complete coverage of the entire event. Bookmakers will also stream individual races.
Royal Ascot
ITV Racing usually covers all major races as well as the social component of the event, including the royal procession and the fashion segment. Sky Sport Racing typically has a wider coverage of every race, while bookmaking platforms provide comprehensive streaming.
Tips for Watching Horse Racing Live
As a conclusion, here are several tips that will help you make the most out of your experience watching a horse race live.
- Always check the schedules. Horse races normally last for a couple of minutes, so you don’t want to be late for the start because that would mean you essentially missed the whole race.
- Use mobile apps to stream. Apps are especially convenient if you are watching the race for betting purposes. They offer faster login and navigation, are better designed for in-play betting, and often can be personalised for your specific needs.
- Compare platforms before watching. Whether you are watching the race for betting or just for entertainment, comparing platforms will give you a better picture of what your options are. From the selection of horse racing events to the range of the subscription fees and convenient navigation, see which horse racing streaming platform gives you the experience that is best suited to your requirements.
FAQ
Where can I watch horse racing live in the UK?
The best option to watch horse racing live in the UK are TV broadcasters like ITV Racing that give access to free to air major events, online streaming platforms like Racing TV that provide a wide selection of races with a subscription to their services, or any major licensed bookmaking platform that offers streaming to its customers.
Is horse racing live streaming free?
It depends on the source. Bookmaking platforms usually allow you to watch their streams for free if you are a registered account holder with them. Some broadcasters also offer free airing of major horse racing events. Other platforms will require a paid subscription or a one time pass purchase.
Can I watch races online legally?
Yes, there are plenty of options to watch horse races online legally, like TV channels, licensed online platforms, and bookmaker streams. However, be aware of illegal streaming services as well and always avoid them.
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