Horse racing is a sport with a long, rich history in South Africa dating back to 1797. Likewise, betting on the sport has a history in the country beyond comparison in the sporting world. If you are thinking of placing your first bet, Easybet’s guide to horse racing betting in South Africa breaks down the key terms.
Horse racing has been in South Africa for centuries and while the country has been through many changes, it has been one near constant in the lives of its citizens. Even when the 1965 South African Gambling Act outlawed nearly all types of gambling in South Africa, it still made allowances for on-track horse racing betting.
Now, South Africa has legalised gambling on all sports, and horse racing continues to thrive with events such as the Durban July offering millions in prize money.
Betting on horse racing is different to betting on other sports, as there are terms which are largely unique to the sport, hence why Easybet has compiled a guide to walk you through the basics of betting on horse racing in South Africa.
Key terms
Win: A bet on a horse to finish first.
Place: A bet on a horse to finish either first or second (in races with five to seven runners) or first, second, or third (in races with eight or more runners).
Each Way: A bet split into two parts: one part backing the horse to win, and the other backing the horse to place (first, second, or third depending on the number of runners).
Exacta: A bet where you pick the first two finishers in the exact order.
Trifecta: A bet where you pick the first three finishers in the exact order.
Quartet: The South African equivalent of what bettors elsewhere call the Superfecta — you must select the first four horses in the correct order.
Swinger: This is a bet on two horses to finish in the top three, in any order.
Pick 6: A South African pool bet where you need to pick the winners of six consecutive races. This bet can yield large payouts.
Jackpot: A bet requiring you to pick the winners of four consecutive races.
Accumulator: Also known in South Africa as the All-to-come bet. All horses in multiple races must win for the bettor to collect.
Handicap: Handicap races, where horses carry different weights, are common in South African racing.
Biggest horse racing events in South Africa
Among the biggest horse racing events in South Africa are the Durban July, the Cape Town Met and the Gauteng Summer Cup.
The Durban July takes place annually on the first Saturday of July at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Gauteng Summer Cup is held in late November at Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
The Cape Town Met takes place at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, Western Cape, on the last Saturday of every January.
Betting on horse racing with Easybet
Easybet has burst onto the scene in recent years, offering a 150% first deposit match and other promos, making us the ideal bookmaker for horse racing events.
To get in on the action and search for the best betting odds on horse racing in South Africa, follow this link to bet on horse racing with Easybet.
Keep an eye on the Easybet playbook for more horse racing betting tips.
