There are few sporting events that have been popular for longer than we can remember but horse racing is undeniably a content that has been stuck in the human consciousness for literal millennia. There are even records of horse races going as far back as ancient Greece. In fact, there are some races that still run today that has been a tradition for over 500 years. So, why is it that this sport in particular grabs so many people?
We love it for the social aspect
One of the big advantages of any major unmissable sporting event, be it the Superbowl, a big-ticket boxing match, or the Grand National, is the social aspect of enjoying it with friends. We love to get around the TV or monitor or, if we’re lucky enough, to be in the crowds, sharing our intel, exchanging our opinions, and getting plugged right into the hype. Humans are social animals, so big, exciting events like horse races are made even more enjoyable when we have friends to get involved in the hype with us. It’s not uncommon for whole families to have their little wagers going on with one another when a particularly big race comes around.
It makes for an excellent day out
Any sport can be made much more enjoyable if you get the opportunity to go out and see the competitors with your own two eyes. However, that is, even more, the case with horse racing. A day out on the races is a truly magnificent social affair and often considered one of the more ‘high class’ events. As such, it offers the opportunity to network with your peers, for men and women to don their best outing clothes, enjoy a drink, and socialize before and after the races. If you’re supporting a particular horse and jockey, it can add to the excitement to see them in the flesh, as well, and to cheer them from the stands.
It’s the buff’s sport
Every sport has its buffs, of course. People who love tracking past performances, looking at stats, and taking every data point they can to make their predictions. However, there are few that offer quite as much depth to look into as horse racing does. Online horse race tracking sites now make it easier than ever to track not just horses, but jockeys and trainers across a range of races, getting to know all that you need to know to make the most accurate predictions. Whether or not you can also develop the insight to make good use of that information is another question entirely, but we all like to imagine that we’ve got the inside scoop. Horse racing gives you the opportunity to get the information to make it a reality.
It has a history and prestige to it
As mentioned, horse racing has been for as long as we have horses. There are particular races that carry a certain level of gravitas and importance to them, as well. Looking down the complete Grand National winners list, you can see plenty of familiar and famous names like Red Rum, Ben Nevis, Tiger Roll, and more. Then there are races like the Kiplingcotes Derby, which has reportedly been running since 1519. Horse racing is an opportunity for us to tap into a tradition that has lasted over thousands of years, while everything else changes around us. As such, we’re not likely to see that tradition giving way and vanishing any time soon. It’s too important a part of our sporting history.
It showcases man’s mastery of nature
Another reason we tend to love horse racing is that the entire sport is a dedication to mankind’s ability to tame their environment. Though the days of first taming horses are long gone, the dedication, the intelligence, and the care that it takes to raise and train horses to compete at the very top levels is still a marvel to behold. It’s why we still remember the names of some of the top horse trainers of all time, be it Pat and Linda Parelli, Clinton Anderson, or Bob Baffert. Horse racing isn’t just about the horses, it’s about the hands of the trainers and the discipline of the jockeys that also play a crucial part in getting the gold.
Horses are phenomenal animals
Many of the people who love horse racing are also those people who love animals and, in particular, horses. They are some of the most impressive animals we get to see on a regular basis with their incredible athleticism, yet their otherwise gentle nature (providing they aren’t spooked or threatened.) Seeing a horse gallop down the raceway is one of the only opportunities that we humans have to see such an impressive animal performing at the very top of its game. The sheer sight of them competing can get the heart fluttering and many people will even find a favorite horse and follow its career through the years to see how it does across multiple races. Horse riding as a hobby has been consistently popular since it was first made affordable.
A lot of us dream of riding a horse
Aside from the companionship that we feel with horses and the historical role they have played in helping us establish our society, a lot of us would simply enjoy having the opportunity to ride one for ourselves. The majestic beasts can be rather imposing, especially those that are competing at the top of the game. However, you don’t need to be an astonishing athlete to enjoy riding a horse, either. There are plenty of horse riding holidays that can see you taking a tour on those four hooved legs and plenty of riding schools that can help you experience the thrill of a horse galloping around a track, with a little practice.
Though we make changes to the sport, iterating and revolutionizing it, it’s likely that horse racing is going to continue to be one of the sports that we enjoy for hundreds of years to come. It has shown no signs of becoming less popular, even as other sports rise and fall.