There is a reason that horseracing has long been called the “sport of kings.” To raise a championship horse costs millions of dollars. To experience horses intimately at all can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
It’s probably for that reason that so many of the people who take a serious interest in horse racing are of a privileged class. It seems like a hobby that very literally comes with a seven or eight-figure bank balance. When NBA players or NFL players get their bag, their next stop is often the Kentucky Derby.
Just how extravagant can the sport be? Let’s take a look at the world’s most exclusive races.
Kentucky Derby
Does it get more exclusive than the Kentucky Derby? The very worst seats in the house have a sticker price of around $1000—but that is only for the lucky people who manage to grab their tickets directly. On the resale market, bleacher sets can go for thousands of dollars.
Hundreds of celebrities, including the likes of Michael Jordan, frequent the event each year. Wealthy people from all over the world come to show off exotic, pastel-colored outfits, and sip mint juleps.
Although attending the event in person is difficult, there are ways to enjoy it thoroughly at home. Research the top Kentucky Derby contenders by TwinSpires, plan a fun party, buy plenty of Kentucky bourbon, and enjoy.
Every year, the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” provides a unique blend of glamour and thrills to an increasingly wide audience. Come for the horses, stay for the famous people dressed like feathery easter eggs.
Royal Ascot
Did somebody say “pageantry”? Royal Ascot has it in abundance. Held for five days in November each year, the event is attended by literal royalty. The race was actually founded by Queen Anne all the way back in the 1700s.
Since then, the event has hosted hundreds of royal guests. The ceremonies open each day with the royal family parading through the grounds on horse-drawn carriages. The Kentucky Derby might get NBA players to dress like giant Easter Eggs, but it can hardly hope to compete with that level of exclusivity.
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup, held every year at Flemington Racecourse is lovingly referred to as “the race that stops a nation.” More than one hundred thousand people crowd the venue, with millions more watching from home.
Fashion is put at a major premium. The “fashion on the field,” program, which takes place throughout the day, looks for the best dressed person in attendance. Viewers might come for the horses but they stay to obsess over the beautiful rich people in their extravagant outfits.
Is Horse Racing Becoming More Accessible?
While horse racing has always been a game for the ultra-elite, several things are changing that.
One is the proliferation of easy sports betting. There are so many really great online sports betting apps out there, each one making it very easy for the layperson to stake major races. You might need to be a multimillionaire to own a championship horse, but Joe Schmoe can bet on one. People who are into sports betting might very naturally gravitate toward horse racing, where wins and losses come in thrilling two-minute cycles.
There are also some technological developments that are helping to grow the game. Blockchain and tokenization have led to the development of fractional horse ownership. Ordinary people can now purchase small shares of racehorses.
The 2020 Kentucky Derby was won by a horse with more than 4000 owners. None of them got rich, but they did at least recuperate their $200 investment—and they had a blast doing it. And while they probably would have made more money betting $200 on Authentic to win (he paid 8-1) they had an experience that they’ll surely remember fondly.
The Role Of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is also making races more accessible. Panoramic viewing technology is being used to give fans with VR/AR headsets “front row seats,” to premium sporting events. These devices are pricey but often cost less than the price of a ticket for just one person to attend a premium race. It’s little developments like these that make racing more accessible to people who might not have previously given it much thought.
These innovations have opened the door for a new generation of racing enthusiasts who can now participate in ways that fit their budgets and lifestyles. Technology has bridged the gap between the elite world of thoroughbred racing and everyday fans, creating multiple entry points for people interested in experiencing the excitement of the sport.
The combination of easier betting access, shared ownership opportunities, and immersive viewing experiences has helped revitalize interest in a sport that once seemed exclusively reserved for the wealthy. Racing organizations have embraced these changes, recognizing that broadening their audience is essential for the sport’s long-term survival and growth.
As these technologies continue to evolve and become more affordable, they’ll likely attract even more newcomers to horse racing, ensuring that this historic sport remains relevant and vibrant in the digital age.
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