Figure 1 Horse racing remains hugely popular in the US – Source: Pexels

Sports is big business in the US. The Super Bowl is probably the biggest show in town, but the NBA Finals, World Series, and even the Stanley Cup all demand attention when they come around each year, keeping the major leagues firmly in the headlines. Then there are the various motorsports events and other individual and team sports played and watched across the country.

The FIFA World Cup is currently center of attention, with the world’s gaze firmly placed on the US as one of the three co-hosts of soccer’s most prestigious international tournament. If you are looking to place a bet anywhere in the country, there is always going to be a game or two to choose from.

Traditionally, horse racing had been number one when it came to betting on sports. But football and soccer, in particular, seem to have eclipsed the “sport of kings” in that regard. But horse racing is still incredibly popular in the US and remains an important part of the sports ecosystem.

The Big Races and Events

One of the biggest indicators of the ongoing importance and relevance of horse racing in the US has only recently concluded for this year. The Triple Crown is one of those events, or series of events, that transcends its sport. Just like the World Cup, the World Series, or Wimbledon, even people with little interest in horse racing know about the Triple Crown.

Made up of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, these three races are some of the most prestigious worldwide, let alone just here in the US. There is also the annual Breeders’ Cup that takes place later in the year, as well as the richest race in the US, the Pegasus World Cup, that takes place annually in Florida. Horse racing is a year-long passion for many, but it is these big events that keep the sport firmly in the minds of many Americans.

Betting is Big Business

There is no getting away from it, betting is big business. It has always been the case in the US, as it has been everywhere else. But the easing of laws and regulations from 2018 onwards has given millions more Americans the opportunity to back their favorites legally, in a number of different ways.

The growth in online betting has made horse racing even more popular, with an estimated $11 billion pumped into the economy annually. The US is right at the top of countries when it comes to the total amount wagered, and those big races and events we have just mentioned play a vital role in that trend continuing.

Social Events

Horse racing attracts punters and fans from all walks of life, but the really big events act as part of American high society’s yearly social calendar. The way these events transcend horse racing as a sport enables some racegoers to use them as their annual fashion show and a moment to be seen by their community.

It is not as though horse racing is exclusive in any way, however. The grand outfits of those attending the big meetings and events are all part of the spectacle and experience. We expect to see thousands dressed up for the day, continuing the traditions and meeting the expectations drawn from decades of nostalgia.

Thoroughbred Center

There are obviously some who see horse racing as merely an important part of their social calendar, but there is no doubt that the US is the home of thoroughbred racing and the horses themselves. There is a lot of money in the thoroughbred breeding industry, and most of that goes through the stables in the US.

Unsurprisingly, places like Kentucky are the focal points of a breeding industry that produces the champions that go on to win the Triple Crown races and go down in the history of the sport. The winning purses are big compared to other international races, so trainers and owners look to the US for the best thoroughbreds to compete in the grandest races of them all.

Entertainment and Media

The competitive nature of sports provides the perfect vehicle for telling stories that are loved by generations, and that’s why some of the most memorable movies of all time are based on true stories emanating from this world. Just like baseball, basketball, and football have provided us with underdog stories, horse racing has also told its stories through the medium of film.

Whether it is stories about some of the most-loved thoroughbreds in horse racing history, such as Seabiscuit and Secretariat, or dramas about famous jockeys, such as Ride Like a Girl, the sport is full of drama, shock wins, and battles against adversity that are perfect for the silver screen. These movies tell the history of horse racing and then live on, long after the horses and people they are about have passed.

The big events are part of the social calendar for some – Source: Pixabay

Nothing Beats a Horse Race

There are obviously plenty of reasons why the joy and experience of horse racing endures today, even with the global popularity of other sports and leagues, like the NFL, NBA, and MLB. The tradition and culture of horse racing remains popular, and, if anything, there has been a renewed surge in popularity thanks to the changing of betting laws in the US over the last few years.

But the main reason why horse racing remains so important in the US, and continues to grow its fan base, is that there is nothing quite like watching a race. The excitement, drama, and experience of horse racing cannot quite be captured anywhere else. Horse racing has always been important to the US, and that doesn’t look like it is changing anytime soon.