Horse racing is a traditional activity that’s been carried out for centuries, with the Greeks and Romans among the cultures that enjoyed this sport. It might not seem like an area that’s been affected by our switch to a digital way of living but we can see some examples of how this happened.
Online betting and themed games
The way we can now bet online is the most notable change, as it allows horse racing fans to place their wagers at any time such as when they’re at home watching the action. One of the interesting effects this has caused is that fans can now bet conveniently on worldwide races such as the Kentucky Derby, the Dubai World Cup, and Royal Ascot no matter where they live.
The popularity of horse racing has also led to online games based on the sport being launched. These range from horse management simulators where you buy and breed foals to online slots based on the biggest names. If you play Ruby Walsh Champion’s Gold, you’ll find a five-reel effort based on the champion jockey. Created by Cayetano Gaming, it’s set on a virtual track with themed images. Features including free spins and multipliers add to the basic slot gameplay.
Buying and selling horses online
This look by Horse & Hound at the most expensive horses ever sold reveals that Fusaichi Pegasus was sold to Coolmore Ireland in 2000 for £53.7 million. They also mention The Green Monkey as being arguably the most expensive flop, as he only took part in three races following his £12 million purchase, before being retired.
You might imagine that horse sales are all massive transactions that are carried out face-to-face but there’s now a thriving online market. Sites such as eHorses and Horsemart have thousands of horses, divided into categories such as race horses, sport ponies, and dressage horses. International auction sites like Horse24 have changed the market further by hosting regular online auctions where interested parties can bid for the horses that catch their eye.
Shows and movies you can stream
The 2012 series Luck starring Dustin Hoffman and Dennis Farina is an example of a horse racing show that was reasonably successful, earning a second series before being cancelled over concerns about the safety of the animals used during filming. As the sport has reached a wider online audience, TV companies are looking for new ways to appeal to fans, including a new six-part docuseries to be launched by ITV in 2024.
There have been rumours in recent years that Netflix wants to follow up their Formula 1: Drive to Survive series with a series focusing on the American horse racing circuit. For the moment, Amazon Prime looks at the UK flat season in Horsepower and the main streaming services all include various movies and drama series that take a look at the industry.
The different ways that horse racing has entered the digital age show us how a long-established industry can move with the times and expand its appeal at the same time.
