How do Non-Runners Affect Your Horse Racing Bets

If the race starts and your pick refuses to run/leave its stall, it won’t be declared a non-runner. Instead, it will be classed as a non-finisher/pulled up horse. In these situations, you’ll lose your bet.

If the race has been declared, you’ll get your bonus credits back in the same way you’d receive a cash bet back. In most instances, you can see bonus cash as real money in these situations as it will be returned and ready to use again. There may be some instances were special rules apply, but these would be at the discretion of the bookmaker.

Some bookmakers will return an ante-post stake in the event of a non-runner. This is rare and only usually happens during major events/as part of a special promotion. Under normal circumstances, non-runner ante-post bets are lost.

No. Once a race has been declared and a horse is withdrawn, it can no longer take part. Even if the trainer, owner or jockey has made a mistake, the horse can’t be re-entered. This is to prevent cheating both on the part of those involved with the horse and those betting on it.

If you’ve made a tricast bet (i.e. a bet on three horses to win/place) and two picks are withdrawn, it will be settled as a single bet using the win odds for the remaining runner. Naturally, if all three picks are withdrawn, the bet will be cancelled and you’ll receive your stake back in full.

The easiest way to find out if your horse is a non-runner is by checking the starting line-up a few minutes before the off. If you use our recommended bookmakers, each one will provide live updates from the top races from around the world. Alternatively, you can review daily horse racing non-runner lists. These are often maintained by third-party operators and aim to track all the horse non-runners in a single day.