Horse racing is one of the most-watched sports on the planet, with the number of viewers increasing for the most significant events on the schedule. Millions of fans tune into the action for the Kentucky Derby, with the race being one of few on the schedule that captures the mainstream attention.
Therefore, horse racing typically attracts a cultural following throughout the season, but the love of the sport is something that runs deeper for those that watch the action on a daily basis.
However, what makes horse racing one of the most unique sports in the world, and why is it so popular among fans?
Why do people tune in to watch the 2024 Breeders’ Cup qualifying races? Check out below.
Enjoyable Day Out
Unlike most other sporting events, horse racing dates in the diary don’t require visitors to have in-depth knowledge of the sport in order to have an enjoyable experience. For that small majority, it is simply an excuse to get dressed up and have an enjoyable day out with the family.
Meanwhile, it is also one of the cheaper sporting events that you can see live, making it a perfectly affordable day for those that want to attend. The majority of racecourses offer educational stands, meaning that those that wish to learn more about the sport during their visit can do so.
One of the main reasons for racing’s prolonged success has been its ability to keep itself affordable for all visitors. Therefore, families can take advantage of discounts, while picnics can be brought into courses to cut costs on buying hot food.
Love Of The Horse
Horse racing typically attracts the ire of uneducated activists, as they cite that the sport has no care for the animals that form the great sport. However, this view has been widely dispelled, as it is simply the opposite for those that live and work within stables.
Horse racing at the heart of it is to celebrate everything that is special about a thoroughbred, and the equine stars that compete on track throughout the season are treated like royalty in the stables that they call home. Competing on track is such a small part of a racehorses life, as they will require round-the-clock attention from grooms, who form special bonds with the runners in their care.
Of course, the vast majority will only see the horses strutting their stuff on course when they are in action, but stable visits offer a unique look at the sport behind the curtain, and only then can you get a greater understanding behind the lure of the sport.
Betting Is Hugely Popular
There are few more popular sports on the planet to make wagers on than horse racing, with the betting having a direct involvement on the success that the sport achieves. Betting on significant races on the schedule is incredibly popular, with events such as the Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup, and Grand National attracting those that wouldn’t typically make a wager to put money down on a selection.
Experts that follow the action throughout the season also see horse racing as a method to make a winnable wage, as the returns can typically be extremely healthy if you’re picking out winners on a regular basis.
As well as this, betting on the sport offers a variety of different options, allowing gamblers to have a freedom that they wouldn’t necessarily have when betting on other sports. Win betting is the most popular across the board, but gamblers can also make wagers on exotic selections such as exactas and trifectas, as well as combing multiple selections to a parlay bet. As long as horse racing betting is popular, the sport promises to rank among the most followed throughout the world.
Superstar Encounters Are Exciting
Few sports can throw up regular showdowns between the best in the world on a more regular basis than horse racing, which ensures that the sport typically captures the imagination of fans throughout the season. Therefore, while showdowns between Liverpool and Manchester City only take place twice per season, you could be treated to showdowns between two of the best horses in the world on four or more occasions across a 12-month period.
These showdowns not only give experienced racing fans the match-ups that they want to see, but they also ensure that neutral fans want to see the action on track and see who the best horse in training is. The excitement levels when watching horse racing are at a much higher level than most, and that makes it exhilarating to watch.
These excitement levels are only increased should you have a bet on the race, and your runner is getting closer to the finishing line with their nose in front. Nothing comes close to the highs that bettors experience when landing a victory in big races on the schedule, and it shows that their hard work throughout the season has been worth it.
