How The Sport of Horse Racing Differs Worldwide

Horse racing is a lucrative sporting activity that's popular around the globe. More than $116 billion is wagered on the sport, with thoroughbred owners bringing in purses totaling more than $3 billion yearly. 

While the U.S. hosts the most racing events annually, there are several other countries worldwide where it's very successful, with millions of fans regularly following horse news and making bets on their favorite picks. 

Several types of horse racing in the U.S. have been developed since the first race was run in New York in 1665. There are over 75 racetracks, with the most prevalent variation being Thoroughbred Flat Horse Racing, which usually takes place on a dirt or turf track up to a mile-and-a-half long. 

Fans can also find quarter horse racing, harness racing, and sometimes jump racing. Here's a look at how the U.S. horse racing industry compares with the rest of the world.

Australia

The first sanctioned horse race occurred in Australia at Hyde Park in Sydney in 1810. However, it was already a popular sport, with many unofficial events having been organized. With more than 300 racetracks around the country, the most famous race type is flat racing, with the biggest event being the Melbourne Cup, also known as 'the race that stops a nation.'

Harness racing is also popular, with more than 90 tracks throughout the country holding 1,900 events annually, and more than 5,000 horses are registered to race each year. Spectators also enjoy steeplechase racing in Australia, which has a long history of jump racing dating back to the first British settlers. 

For example, the Great Eastern Steeple Chase is an event held every Easter Monday. This race typically draws more than 100,000 people to the Oakbank raceway in South Australia. 

U.K. and Ireland

Horse racing was established in the U.K. long before any other country and has been governed by the British Horseracing Authority for over 250 years. Some of the top flat races in the world are held in England, such as the Grand National and Royal Ascot, established in 1711 and featuring several events with total prize purses today of more than $6 million. 

Steeplechases, or National Hunt racing as it's called in the U.K., is the second most popular type of horse racing in the region and is typically run over longer distances, between two and 4.5 miles, where horses must jump over hurdles. 

Fans can also find a few harness racing tracks, which the British Harness Racing Society operates. In addition, a limited number of Arabian racing events are also sanctioned in the U.K. by the Arabian Racing Organization.

Asia

While fans can find the most important horse racing events in the U.S., Great Britain, and Australia, major events are also held in places like Japan and Hong Kong. Japan is one of the leading horse racing markets in the world, with over 20,000 races held annually. 

The Japan Cup was first run at Tokyo Racecourse in 1981 and is the country's most prestigious thoroughbred horse racing event. 

Flat racing and jump racing are the most popular in Asia, but Ban'ei kyoso, or pull racing, is unique only to Japan. Pull racing involves draft horses coaxed by their jockeys to pull sleds up a ramp with a sand surface. 

The jockey must stand on the sled and ensure it's balanced as the horse makes its way up the ramp. However, this type of racing has lost popularity in recent years, with most events held at the 200-meter Hokkaido Racecourse.

UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is home to the largest racetrack in the world, Dubai's Meydan Racecourse, an impressive facility with a hotel, theater, and several restaurants. It also hosts the Dubai World Cup, one of the world's richest thoroughbred racing events, with a total purse of $12 million. Although gambling is strictly prohibited in the UAE, horse racing is still hugely popular nationwide.