Timeform
- Founded
- 1948-01-01 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England
- Headquarters
- Halifax, West Yorkshire, England
- help@timeform.com
Founded in 1948 by legendary punter Phil Bull, Timeform is a specialist sports data and content provider headquartered in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Over more than seven decades, it has built an unrivalled reputation for accuracy and credibility in analysing horse racing and greyhound racing. Its core offering is a systematic rating system that quantifies horse performance in pounds, based on time and class, alongside detailed racecards, flags, and expert editorial. Originally a print publisher of annuals such as Racehorses Of... and Chasers & Hurdlers, the company has evolved into a digital-first provider, serving both B2C punters and B2B clients through data feeds and API partnerships. Since 2016, Timeform has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment plc, the global sports betting and gaming giant. Its products are used by millions of racing enthusiasts, professional punters, and industry stakeholders worldwide, making it one of the most trusted names in racing intelligence.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
Timeform was founded in 1948 by Phil Bull, a mathematician and professional punter who revolutionised form study by introducing numerical ratings. He established Portway Press Ltd in Halifax to publish his rigorous performance analyses, a radical departure from the instinct-based punting of the era. The company quickly became the gold standard for horse racing data in the UK.
Business Model and Products
Timeform operates a dual B2C and B2B model. For consumers, it offers Race Passes – tiered digital subscriptions providing full racecards, ratings, unique flags (e.g., Horse In Focus, Trainer Form), in-play hints, and expert tips. Free tools like the Tip Sheet and My Timeform enhance engagement. On the B2B side, Timeform licenses its Race Verdicts, Star Ratings, and 1-2-3 predictions to bookmakers and media platforms. In January 2025, it partnered with PA Betting Services (PABS) to become the official managing partner of its B2B services, leveraging PABS’ global distribution network.
Key Products and Brands
Timeform Ratings are the cornerstone – numeric merit ratings (in pounds) for horses, widely cited by media and betting operators. Race Passes offer tiered digital subscriptions. Timeform US (timeformus.com) extends the model to North American racing with daily selections and Formulator past performances. The annuals Racehorses of... and Chasers & Hurdlers remain essential reference works. Timeform Awards recognise top performers each season. B2B Data Services include licensed race verdicts, star ratings, predictions, and horse comments.
Market Position and Ownership
Timeform is the pre-eminent independent racing data provider in the UK and has expanded internationally. Its acquisition by Betfair in 2006 and subsequent integration into Flutter Entertainment in 2016 solidified its financial backing and distribution reach. Competitors include Racing Post and At The Races, but Timeform’s long history and proprietary rating system give it a unique position.
Recent Developments
In 2025, Timeform announced a strategic B2B partnership with PA Betting Services, aiming to expand its data licensing globally. The company continues to invest in digital tools and editorial content, maintaining a strong editorial presence with free features and awards.
Key Products
Timeform Ratings
Numeric merit ratings (in pounds) for horses, based on time and class; the cornerstone of the company’s reputation.
Race Passes
Digital subscription packs (single race, 24h, multiday) delivering full racecards, ratings, flags, tips, and in-play data.
Timeform Racecards
Online and app-based cards with all essential form information, flags (e.g., Horse In Focus, Trainer Form), and expert comments.
Timeform US (timeformus.com)
Dedicated North American product offering race previews, daily selections, and Formulator past performances.
Racehorses of...
Annual book reviewing every notable flat performer from the previous season, with ratings and detailed comments.
Chasers and Hurdlers
Annual book covering National Hunt horses, published each October.
Timeform Awards
Annual end-of-season honours for flat and jumps horses, published online.
B2B Data Services
Licensed race verdicts, star ratings, 1-2-3 predictions, and horse comments distributed via partners like PA Betting Services.
My Timeform
Free suite of personalisation tools for registered users, including alerts, horse tracking, and portfolio management.
Timeform Tip Sheet
Free daily tips provided by the Timeform team, summarised on the website.
Key Persons
- Phil Bull
Founder