Learn about the Either to Win market available on selected races at bet365 Sport.
Horse racing betting markets have evolved far beyond simply backing a horse to win. On platforms like bet365, bettors now have access to dozens of specialised markets designed to make races more engaging and flexible.
Among these is the Either To Win market, a simple but strategically interesting betting option that appears on selected races. While it is not as widely discussed as traditional win bets or each-way betting, it has quietly become a popular option for punters who want to combine two strong contenders into a single wager.
This guide explains exactly what the Either To Win market is, how it works, where to find it on bet365, and why it differs from other winner-based bets.
The Either To Win market is a horse racing bet that allows a bettor to back one of two named horses to win a specific race. If either of those horses wins, the bet is successful.
Instead of selecting a single horse in the race, the bookmaker pairs two runners together and offers a combined price for either horse to win. This effectively creates a mini-portfolio within a single wager.
For example, imagine a race where two leading contenders dominate the betting market. Rather than choosing between them, the bookmaker may offer a special market such as:
If Horse A wins, the bet pays out.
If Horse B wins, the bet also pays out.
If any other horse wins, the bet loses.
This approach is particularly common when two runners stand out from the rest of the field, such as during major meetings like Cheltenham, Royal Ascot or major Saturday handicaps.
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The structure of an Either To Win bet is straightforward. Instead of placing multiple bets on individual runners, bettors place one single bet covering two potential winners.
Horse A or Horse B to Win – Evens (1/1)
If you stake £10:
This essentially functions as a simplified double-chance bet for horse racing, though instead of covering outcomes like win/place, it covers two different runners to win the race.
Another important rule applies to this market. If one of the named horses becomes a non-runner, the bet is normally void and the stake returned, because the original paired selection no longer exists.
On the bet365 sportsbook, Either To Win bets are typically located within the additional race markets section of a racecard.
The general process looks like this:
These markets appear alongside other alternative race betting options, which offer different ways to bet beyond the traditional win and each-way formats.
The market is usually available only on selected races, especially:
While many bettors still prefer straightforward win bets, the Either To Win market offers several strategic advantages.
In many races, two horses dominate the betting market.
Punters often face the classic dilemma:
The Either To Win market simplifies this decision by combining both selections into one bet.
Without this market, a bettor might place:
But the Either To Win market allows a bettor to cover both outcomes with one stake, though usually at slightly lower odds.
Horse racing often produces races where two runners appear significantly stronger than the rest of the field.
Examples include:
In these situations, Either To Win bets let bettors lean into the race narrative without needing to decide between the top two contenders.
Min Deposit: €5 – Expiry: 30 days – Min Odds: 1/5 (1.20)
Although the market might seem similar to other racing bets, it is structurally different from several common wager types.
A win bet is the simplest horse racing wager. You select one horse and it must win the race for the bet to pay.
With Either To Win:
However, the trade-off is shorter odds compared with backing each horse individually.
Each-way betting is another popular alternative, where the stake is split into two parts:
Key differences:
| Feature | Either To Win | Each-Way |
|---|---|---|
| Number of horses | Two selections | One selection |
| Stake structure | Single bet | Two bets combined |
| Winning condition | One of two horses wins | Horse wins or places |
| Odds | Shorter than individual odds | Reduced place odds |
Another similar market is a match bet, where bettors choose which of two horses will finish ahead of the other.
The key difference:
Experienced horse racing bettors often use Either To Win bets in several situations:
Events like:
often feature headline races dominated by two elite runners.
When only 5–7 horses run, two horses frequently dominate the odds board.
Sometimes bettors believe the winner will come from two horses but cannot separate them.
Either To Win markets provide a solution without needing to double the stake.
Bookmakers like bet365 offer these markets because they generate additional engagement around feature races.
They also:
Ultimately, they add another layer to the horse racing betting experience.
An Either To Win bet is a wager where you back one of two named horses to win a race. If either horse wins, the bet pays out.
If either horse in the pair does not run, the bet is usually void and your stake is returned.
No. A double requires both selections to win in separate events. An Either To Win bet only requires one of two horses in the same race to win.
Yes. Because the bet covers two horses, bookmakers typically offer shorter combined odds than backing each runner separately.
No. These markets are usually available only on selected races, especially feature races or events with strong favourites.
They serve different purposes. Each-way bets cover win and place outcomes for one horse, while Either To Win bets cover two horses winning the race.
You can usually find them in the additional race markets section of a horse racing racecard alongside other alternative bets.
If you regularly bet on horse racing, understanding markets like Either To Win can open up new tactical options. Rather than simply backing a single horse, bettors can use these specialised markets to reflect how they actually view a race, especially when two runners stand out from the rest of the field.
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