Get £290 in Christmas horse racing free bets

It's one of the busiest and most exciting times of year to follow UK and Irish horse racing, and we've gathered the best free bets in one place.

A packed schedule includes the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, King George VI Chase, Welsh Grand National, Paddy Power Handicap Chase, Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle, and more.

Keep reading as we highlight the best online gambling promotions available to Racing Post readers today. We have everything you need to enjoy a thrilling schedule.

Christmas racing betting offers: claim £290 in free bets 

The top bookmakers offer a stunning list of free bets and promos on the best upcoming races. Get free bets on your picks, enhanced odds on the favourites, cashback, and other delights.

Here is a list of available betting offers:

• William Hill: £60 in free bets
• Paddy Power: £30 in free bets
• Betfair: £50 in free bets
• Sky Bet: £50 on free bets
• bet365: £30 in free bets
• Coral: £50 in free bets
• Ladbrokes: £20 in free bets

Full offer terms and conditions are below
Total: £290

How to claim your December betting offers with any bookmaker

It's time to snap up this month's promos and free bets ahead of an exciting schedule. Follow the steps below to create an account at any sportsbook featured on this page.

1. Visit the bookie's homepage and select ‘New Customer’ to join.
2. Fill out the registration form and add your information.
3. Deposit funds to activate the betting account.
4. You're ready to start gambling on any sports fixtures.
5. Free bets automatically appear in your account.
6. Repeat the process with every bookmaker for the biggest offers and odds.

At the Racing Post, we have put together all of the best racing free bets and bookmaker offers, so take a look as you can claim up to £1,000+ in sports bonuses and betting offers.

Claim over £290 in free bets for December + each bookmaker’s terms & conditions

William Hill racing free bets

Bag £60 in free bets for the Christmas racing when you place a £10 bet 

Recommended Offer

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Deposit And Bet £10 To Get £60 Free Bets

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• Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)

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Tap for more details. 18+ T&Cs apply

• Superb in-play betting services

18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. #ad

Betfair racing free bets

Get £50 in free bets when you place a £10 qualifying bet on the racing

Recommended Offer

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Get £50 In Free Bets When You Place £10

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• Free Bets with Betfair's Rewards Club

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Tap for more details. 18+ T&Cs apply

• Build your own bets with Bet Builder
• Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)

Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

Coral racing free bets

Get £50 in racing free bets

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Get A £50 Free Bet When You Bet £50 On Horse Racing

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• Generous odds on horse racing

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• Fantastic live streaming service
• Friendly and easily accessible customer care team

18+ New UK & ROI Customers only. Min deposit £/€10, up to £/€50. First up to £/€50 bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for up to 1x £/€50 free bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excl. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

Sky Bet racing free bets

Get £50 in racing free bets with Sky Bet

RACING POST EXCLUSIVE

4/5

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

Bet £10 And Get £50 In Free Bets

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• Christmas Special

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• A huge array of odds boosts across different sports
• Quick withdrawals, particularly to Visa Debit cards

New Customers Only. First Single & E/W Bet Only. Odds of 1/1 or Greater. 5 X £10 Bet Tokens. Free Bet Stakes Not Included in Returns. Free Bets for Horse Racing Only. Free Bets Are Non Withdrawable. Free Bets Expire After 30 Days. Eligibility Restrictions and Further T&Cs Apply.

Paddy Power Christmas racing free bets

Get £30 in racing free bets by placing a £10 bet with Paddy Power

Recommended Offer

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£30 in Free Bets When You Place a £5 Bet

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• Request custom bets on Twitter with #WhatOddsPaddy

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• Detailed stats available for horse racing and football
• Early payout if your football team goes two goals ahead

New Customer offer YSKARZ. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £20 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply.

Bet365 Christmas racing free bets

Bet on the racing with bet365 and get £30 in free bets

Recommended Offer

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Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets

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• Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)

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• New offers on a regular basis
• Competitive prices on horse racing

Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. #ad

Ladbrokes December Gold Cup free bets

Get £20 in racing free bets with Ladbrokes

Recommended

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Get £20 In Free Bets When You Bet £5

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• Great acca features, including the ability to edit a live accumulator

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Tap for more details. 18+ T&Cs apply

• Sleek website design with a straightforward user interface
• Use #GetABet on Twitter for custom bets

18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

December's highlights

Here are the standout races in December.

• Long Distance Novice Chase - Thursday 26th December
• King George VI Chase - Thursday 26th December
• Welsh Grand National - Friday 27th December
• Paddy Power Handicap Chase - Friday 27th December
• Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle - Saturday 28th December
• Faugheen Novice Chase - Saturday 28th December
• December Hurdle - Sunday 29th December
• Leopardstown Premier Handicap - Sunday 29th December

Looking for ways to use your bet credits on upcoming races? We pick out some of the eye-catchers below.

2024 Christmas races: key events

Silver Cup Handicap Chase

Victtorino was popular in the ante-post betting, but the six-year-old hasn't won a race since taking the Silver Cup at Ascot 12 months ago. Since that success, he finished seventh at Cheltenham and fourth at Ascot; he was pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival in March before placing third in his most recent start: the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury late last month. Question marks remain over Victtorino, and bettors may wish to oppose the market leader with one at a nice price. Chancing an outsider in the big races is much more attractive when using free bets.

King George VI Chase

It's one of the best-loved races of the year, and it's here again. The King George VI Chase goes to post on Boxing Day, ending a competitive and entertaining antepost betting market that has kept bettors guessing throughout. Grey Dawning looks to have an excellent chance for Dan Skelton. 

The seven-year-old hasn't finished outside the top three in seven races, a run stretching back to a fall at Aintree in April 2023. During that period, Grey Dawning won at Haydock last November before finishing runner-up behind Ginny's Destiny at Cheltenham, beaten less than a length. He won two of his four races in 2024 and was second at Haydock in November, where Royale Pagaille beat him in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase. Grey Dawning arrives fit and ready, but will he deliver?

Welsh Grand National

Another huge fixture on the calendar as a talented field travels to Chepstow for the renewal of this ancient race decided over 3m 6f. Monbeg Genius has one run under his belt this season, finishing second behind Fontaine Collonges at Haydock last month. He was well-beaten that day but will return sharper for the effort, aiming for a first win since February 2023. 

Other prominent names in the early Welsh Grand National betting include Mr Vango, who won at Sandown earlier this year, and Nassalam. However, Nassalam has been pulled up in three of his four outings this year, ending 18th in the spare. The current betting odds provide plenty of value.

Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle

Bob Olinger represents Henry de Bromhead and boasts some fascinating stats. The nine-year-old was runner-up in each of his last three, including behind rival Home By The Lee at Navan in November. 

Backers will be encouraged to learn the nine-year-old has been third or better in his last six, with the most recent victory coming on New Year's Day at Prestbury Park in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle. Bob Olinger had only Home By The Lee ahead of him in the betting, but JP O'Brien's runner has won once in two years.

Remember to gamble responsibly

Gambling can be an enjoyable and exciting form of entertainment, but it can also be a serious risk if not done responsibly. It is important to understand the risks associated with gambling and to take steps to minimise them. You can always call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamstop.co.uk if you need extra help or advice.

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