This article discusses watching an event. For the article about participating, see Horse riding.

Horse racing is an equine spectator sport with an international following. Although this form of racing is not considered to be in the same league as motorsports by many, it's an unforgettable experience that has some of the most die-hard fans around.

Understand

Getting into the action

Racing has existed in some form since antiquity and has a long, seemingly timeless tradition in some regions. Horse racing in the 21st century has an old feeling and style that can appeal to travelers of all ages. Teams of horses and their handlers race side by side to see if they can master the track, defeat the others and take home the gold. Events in Great Britain, Hong Kong, Australia and the U.S. have particularly wide followings, and the sport finds support from crowds in many other parts of the world.

There are generally two types of horse races: flat races that do not have jumps, and jump races that require the horses to jump over obstacles. Most of the world's most prestigious races are flat races, though the United Kingdom in particular is also known for its long tradition of jump racing. Track surfaces were traditionally either dirt or turf, the latter referring to grass tracks, though an increasing number of racetracks are opting for synthetic surfaces.

Races are often restricted to horses of a particular age or sex, or restricted to certain breeds. While thoroughbred racing is by far the most popular and lucrative internationally, there are also other breeds of horses that are used for racing. Standardbred horses are used for harness racing, which has a niche following in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and parts of continental Europe, especially France, Finland and Sweden. In Finland, Norway and Sweden, there are separate harness races for domestic cold-blooded horses. Arabian horse racing is most popular in the Middle East, where the breed originated from, though it is the breed of choice for endurance (long distance) racing) throughout the world. The American Quarter Horse is used at some races in the United States.

In many countries, horse racing go back to the British tradition, and horse racing tends to be most popular and well-established in countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. That said, there are also some countries outside the former empire like France and Japan that have taken a liking to the sport, or have a tradition of their own, and have well-established professional horse racing scenes.

Thoroughbred racing

Modern Thoroughbred racing had its origins in 16th-century Britain. During that century, the rules began to be codified, and it gained immense popularity among the British royalty and nobility. The term Thoroughbred refers to a specific breed of horse that was bred for speed, which traces its origins to Middle Eastern horses that were brought back to Britain from the Crusades by English knights, and allowed to breed with local English horses. Thoroughbred racing would subsequently spread to the rest of the world with the advent of colonialism.

Distances of races vary, with distances under a mile being given in furlongs (¹⁄₈ of a mile). In the UK, jump races are called National Hunt, while in the U.S.A. they are called steeplechase.

Prepare

Horse racing Jargon What does "across the board" mean? What is a paddock? This jargon-box provides a brief overview of terms. Taken from the Daily Mail, they bare full credit of this info. Pony: Surprisingly this term has nothing to do with the horse. A pony means a £25 bet or odds of 25-1. Monkey: Once again, this is not referring to an animal, it means a £500 bet. Favorite: This, of course, refers to horse with the shortest odds. Form: This refers to how well the horse has performed in the past. A number next to its name in the programme shows where it has placed in recent races. 0 mean "unplaced", P "pulled", R "refused to race", F "fell", U "unseated rider", SU "slipped up", BF "beaten favourite". On/off the bridle: If a horse is 'on the bridle' it means it is running comfortably with enough energy to see through the race. 'Off the bridle' is obviously the opposite. Stake: How much money you bet with per race. Banker: A horse that is considered the most likely to win that day. Colt: A young intact male horse (i.e., not castrated), less than four years old (less than five in Great Britain and North America). Filly: A female horse less than four years old (less than five in Great Britain and North America). Gelding: A castrated male horse of any age. Maiden: A horse of any age that has not yet won a race. Mare: A female horse more than three or four years old, depending on the country. Stallion: An intact male horse more than three or four years old, depending on the country. A more complete list can be found here.

Many of the larger events occur in the spring, although some occur all year. The Kentucky Derby occurs on the first Saturday of May, with the next edition set for May 4, 2024. It is necessary to prepare for all types of weather. Although the general joke is that it's too sunny or too rainy, one can expect any type of condition to occur. For example, the aforementioned Kentucky Derby has seen conditions ranging from high heat and humidity to single-digit (Celsius) temperatures to torrential rainfall (3 inches/75 mm on race day in 2018).

While fashionable apparel is welcomed by many (see "Do" below), weather-resistant clothing should be mixed in with the more dressy. Generally, sans hats, and a short sleeved shirt and pants is all that is required, though a jacket and a raincoat is recommended, just in case. At some prestigious events, a more formal dress code may be in effect. Many horse racing events are just as famous for the fashions on display by the spectators as they are for the actual races themselves. That said, dress codes vary widely from racecourse to racecourse, and the dress codes in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia tend to be a lot more casual than in much of the Western world and in the Middle East.

Much of the terminology used is actually metaphorical, and some can be the literal meaning and then the figurative definition! In general it is recommended to look for a phrasebook of horse-racing terms, found at most tracks.

The crowds may be a bit on the rowdy side for the first-timer, and thus provide an unexpected feeling of unsafeness; however, fans are generally kind people, and usually have not caused problems for travelers. It may be common to hear vulgar language at larger events, just ignore it. For the kids, consider going in a large group to set some space between them and others.

Destinations

Types of races Ever wondered why races have so many different naming conventions? The following terms are the most common ones used in naming different races. Handicap: A race in which horses carry different weights, set by a specified racecourse official, to even out the competition. The better a horse's results, the more weight it carries. Weight-for-age: A race in which horses carry different weights on a set scale based on their ages, also varying by sex, race distance, time of year, and whether the horse was foaled in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. In general, older horses will carry higher weights, with females carrying slightly lower weights than males of the same age. Stakes: A race in which at least part of the prize money is put up by the owners of participating horses. Chase: Short for "steeplechase". Derby: Usually a stakes race restricted to three-year-old horses of either sex, though there are exceptions. In some countries, geldings are barred from the most prestigious races of this class. Oaks: A stakes race restricted to three-year-old fillies. Claiming: A type of race most commonly run in North America, but also known in some other countries, such as Great Britain. All horses in the race are for sale at a specified "claiming price" until shortly before the race. Conditions: A race in which the weights that the horses carry are laid down by the conditions set for the race. Allowance: The North American term for a low- to mid-level race for which entries are restricted by set competitive criteria. Can be viewed as a variant of a conditions race. Group: The highest level of races in most jurisdictions; categorized as Group 1, 2, or 3, with Group 1 being the most competitive and prestigious. Graded is the US–Canada equivalent with Grade I, II, or III. National Hunt racing in Great Britain uses "Grade" instead of "Group", with the same levels as flat racing (1, 2, 3). Sprint: A race of less than one mile in length. Mile: A one-mile-long race.

Asia

India

The Kingfisher Ultra Million Indian Derby trophy

Information for all Indian tracks can be found at the racing world website

1 Mahalaxhmi Race Course in Mumbai, built in 1883, is home to four of the five Indian Classics, modeled after the British Classics, the most prestigious of which is the Indian Derby. It is modelled after Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.

Hong Kong

Horse racing was introduced to Hong Kong by the British in colonial times, and remains hugely popular among its citizens today. Although gambling, including horse racing, is illegal in mainland China, it continues to be legal in Hong Kong under the auspices of the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement. The web-site of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has a complete schedule of races held both racecourses.

2 Happy Valley Racecourse is a historic racecourse and tourist attraction in the eastern part of Hong Kong Island. Although the races themselves are generally of lower quality than at Sha Tin, Happy Valley is widely regarded as being far more atmospheric, and is also known for its unique location surrounded by high-rise buildings. Races are held here on Wednesday nights, with the weekly event being dubbed Happy Wednesday. The International Jockeys' Championship, in which jockeys compete in four races and score points based on their placements in each race, is the highlight of Happy Valley's racing calendar.

3 Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories is the newer and larger of Hong Kong's two racecourses. The Hong Kong International Races, an event consisting of Hong Kong's four most prestigious horse races, is held here every year in December.

Japan

Daishogai Steeplechase at Nakayama

Japan has two horseracing organizations. Japan Racing Association (JRA) is the nation-wide operator running 10 racecourses including four majors listed below. National Association of Racing (NAR) is an umbrella organization for smaller local operators with 15 courses in total. Check the websites for their racecourses and schedules.

4 Hanshin Racecourse in Takarazuka is home to the Takarazuka Kinen, one of Japan's two "All-Star" races.

5 Kyoto Racecourse in Fushimi district is the main racecourse of the Kansai region, and hosts several major races in the Japanese racing calendar, the most notable being the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Mile Championship.

6 Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi is known for its versatility, being able to hold both flat and steeplechase races. Nakayama Daishogai has been held bi-annually since 1934 – since 1999 one of the events was turned into Nakayama Grand Jump, Japan's top steeplechase race. The venue's signature flat race is the Arima Kinen, one of Japan's two "All-Star" races, which draws more betting interest than any other race in the world by a very wide margin.

7 Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu is Japan's most famous racecourse and home to the Japan Cup, one of the world's most prestigious races. Other notable races held here include the Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby) and Yushun Himba (Oaks).

Malaysia

The Malayan Racing Association (MRA) is the regulatory body for horse racing in Peninsular Malaysia, with its jurisdiction also extending to neighbouring Singapore. In East Malaysia, there is no umbrella organisation regulating horse racing; they are regulated by the individual horse racing clubs.

8 Penang Turf Club is located in Jelutong.

9 Perak Turf Club is located in Ipoh.

10 Selangor Turf Club is located in Seri Kembangan, located just south of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur.

Mongolia

Horse riding at the Naadam festival

Horse riding is a central element in the Mongolian identity.

11 Naadam is the most famous festival in Mongolia, held in Ulaanbaatar yearly in July. It consists of competitions in the three traditional Mongolian sports, including horse racing.

Qatar

12 Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club in Al Rayyan is home to the HH Amir Sword, a race for purebred Arabian horses and Qatar's most prestigious race. As gambling is illegal in Qatar, there are no on-site betting facilities.

Saudi Arabia

13 King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh is the site of the Saudi Cup, the richest horse race in the world with a total purse of US$20 million. As gambling is illegal in Saudi Arabia, there are no on-site betting facilities.

Singapore

The Malayan Racing Association (MRA) is the regulatory body for horse racing in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia, and has a complete schedule of races in Singapore and the three racecourses in Peninsular Malaysia.

14 Singapore Turf Club in the suburb of Kranji is one of the premier horse racing venues in Southeast Asia. Its flagship races are the Singapore Gold Cup and Singapore Derby. Night races are held here on Fridays. It was announced the racecourse would be closed in October 2024.

United Arab Emirates

The web-site of the Emirates Racing Authority has a complete list of racecourses and races in the UAE.

15 Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club in Abu Dhabi is home to the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, the richest purebred Arabian horse race in the world in terms of prize money.

16 Meydan Racecourse in Dubai hosts the Dubai World Cup, one of the world's richest horse races in terms of prize money, and the showpiece horse racing event in the Middle East. A gleaming, modern facility that boasts the world's longest grandstand at over a mile in length, a luxury hotel overlooking the track, a racing museum, and numerous other entertainment options including many bars and restaurants. Particularly spectacular when lit up for night races. As gambling is illegal in the United Arab Emirates, there are no on-site betting facilities.

Europe

Czech Republic

Although less illustrious than the "Big Three" of the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, horse racing in the Czech Republic also has a long tradition. Horse racing is regulated by Jockey Club České republiky, which has a list of all races in the Czech Republic.

17 Pardubice Racecourse hosts the Velká pardubická, a famous steeplechase race that is widely regarded to be the toughest and most dangerous in Europe.

Finland

Harness racing. There are several racing tracks around the country. Warm-blooded and cold-blooded (domestic) horses race separately. Generally no formal-like dress code.

18 Seinäjoki Racetrack The venue in Seinäjoki is one of the largest horse racing tracks in Finland.

19 Vermo Horse Racing Track Vermo in Espoo is Finland's premier horse racing track. It features races every Wednesday and some Saturdays. It also hosts the annual Finlandia-Ajo event, part of the UET Masters Series.

France

The web-site of France Galop has a complete list of racecourses and horse racing events in France.

20 Auteil Racecourse in the Bois de Boulogne, a large park in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, is France's premier steeplechase racing venue. Its flagship event is the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

Chantilly Jumping show jumping event

21 Chantilly Racecourse is located in France's main horse training area, with the track passing right next to the majestic Grandes Écuries (Great Stables) of the historic Château de Chantilly. It hosts two of France's premier races, the Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de Diane. The Musée Vivant du Cheval (Living Museum of the Horse) is housed inside the Grandes Écuries.

22 ParisLongchamp Racecourse, also in the Bois de Boulogne, hosts the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Europe's most prestigious horse race.

Ireland

Like many other sports, horse racing is governed on an all-Ireland basis. The web-site of Horse Racing Ireland has a complete list of racecourses and racing events in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

23 Curragh Racecourse , near Kildare, in County Kildare is the premier racing venue in Ireland and hosts all five Irish Classics, namely the Irish 1000 Guineas, Irish 2000 Guineas, Irish Derby, Irish Oaks and Irish St. Leger.

24 Fairyhouse Racecourse , near Ashbourne in County Meath hosts the Irish Grand National, one of the premier races in the Irish jump racing calendar.

25 Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin hosts the Irish Champion Stakes, whose winners have regularly gone on to win other high profile races all over the world. The Leopardstown Christmas Festival features both flat and steeplechase racing at the highest level, and is a major event on Dublin's social calendar, with spectators often dressed in the best of Irish high fashion.

26 Punchestown Racecourse, near Naas, in County Kildare is the spiritual home of National Hunt racing in Ireland, and hosts the annual Punchestown Festival, the grand finale of the Irish jumps racing season.

Sweden

Tracks for harness racing (trav) can be found in many Swedish towns. 27 Solvalla At Stockholm's hippodrome Solvalla you can watch trotters compete in harness racing, and place some bets. Races are held Wednesday nights and many weekends. The biggest event is the prestigious Elitloppet race at the end of May every year.

United Kingdom

There is a fuller list of racing venues on the UK mainland on the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) website along with a list of meetings. The jurisdiction of the BHA does not extend to Northern Ireland, which is covered by Horse Racing Ireland.

28 Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool is home to the Grand National, the world's most prestigious jumps race.

Royal Ascot – the royal carriages leave after carrying the monarch to the races

29 Ascot Racecourse is known for being home to the Royal Ascot, a race meeting held over five days in the third week of June which is attended by the King and other members of the royal family, and one of the few remaining events that require attendees to be dressed in traditional morning dress. The Gold Cup on the third day of the meet is the most prestigious of the Royal Ascot races. An arguably more prestigious race is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, named after the parents of the late Queen Elizabeth II, during the July meet. Additionally, Ascot hosts British Champions Day in October, the country's equivalent to the Breeders' Cup races in the US.

30 Cheltenham Racecourse is one of the most celebrated National Hunt racecourses, and hosts the annual Cheltenham Festival. Some of the more notable races of the festival include the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers' Hurdle and the most prestigious of them all, the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day.

31 Chester Racecourse is recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest continually operating racecourse in the world. Although it does not host any top-level international races, the races here are significant events on the local social calendar, and regularly count celebrities among their attendees. Some of the more notable events include Roman Day, a child-friendly Roman-themed event that celebrates the city's Roman heritage, and the season-opening May Festival.

32 Doncaster Racecourse hosts the St Leger Stakes, the oldest and longest of the five British Classics, and one of the oldest races in the world.

33 Epsom Downs is known for being home to the Derby Stakes for three-year-old horses of either sex excluding geldings, the original "Derby" race that all other similarly named races take their name after. The Oaks Stakes, for three-year-old fillies, is another important race held here, and lends its name to many other races for female horses of that age. The Oaks and the aforementioned Derby Stakes are two of the five British Classic races.

34 Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester, owned by the Duke of Richmond and located on the grounds of Goodwood House, is known for its beautiful setting against the backdrop of the English countryside, as well as its unique and unusual layout. Its flagship event is known as Glorious Goodwood, and is held every year in the summer. Besides the horse racing track, the property is also home to two golf courses, a motorsports racing track and a flying school.

35 Kempton Park Racecourse, with its hunt and jump races just outside of London, this place has earned much fame in the years. The King George VI Chase is held here every year on Boxing Day (26th December).

Newmarket grandstand

36 Newmarket Racecourses is widely regarded to be the headquarters of British horse racing, and is home to the National Horseracing Museum. It hosts two of the United Kingdom's five Classic Races, namely the 1000 Guineas and the 2000 Guineas. Nearby Tattersalls is the largest racing horse auctioneer in Europe, and the oldest in the world.

37 Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher hosts the Eclipse Stakes, named after a celebrated 18th-century racehorse, and contested by high-quality fields since its inception in 1886.

38 York Racecourse hosts the Ebor Festival, of which the Ebor Handicap is one of the richest flat handicap races in Europe. It hosted the Royal Ascot in 2005 when Ascot Racecourse was under renovation.

North America

Belize

39 People's Stadium Racetrack One of the few courses in Central America, this unconventional Belize-based grass course has many events with a local flavor. Also home to the Triple crown race and Castleton cub

Canada

Horse racing in Canada is regulated at the provincial level. The Jockey Club of Canada maintains a list of all of Canada's graded stakes races and their venues, with links to the relevant provincial racing authorities.

40 Fort Erie Race Track hosts the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second race in the Canadian Triple Crown.

41 Woodbine Racetrack is Toronto's most notable course, and is home to the country's racing Hall of Fame. The Queen's Plate, Canada's premier horse race and the first race in the Canadian Triple Crown, is held here every year. Other notable races include the Breeders' Stakes, the final race in the Canadian Triple Crown, and the Canadian International Stakes.

United States

Horse racing in the United States is generally regulated at the state level. America's Best Racing, a website run by The Jockey Club has a calendar of all the major races for Thoroughbreds in the United States.

42 Belmont Park in Elmont just outside New York City hosts the Belmont Stakes, the final race of the American Triple Crown. However, the track wiol be closed for much of 2024 and 2025 while the old grandstand is being replaced by a completely new structure. The Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga (see below) in 2024 and possibly in 2025. The racing meets normally held at Belmont Park will be moved to Saratoga or to Aqueduct, located in Queens, during construction. After completion, plans are to close Aqueduct and move its race meets to Belmont Park.

43 Churchill Downs in Louisville is quite famously known for the Kentucky Derby, the biggest event on the American horse racing calendar and the first of the three races in the American Triple Crown; a nearly 150-year-old tradition where top jockeys from all over the world compete at this "Super Bowl" of racing.

44 Del Mar Racetrack, located in the Del Mar Fairgrounds near San Diego, was built by a partnership that included the late Hollywood legend Bing Crosby, who was a regular at the races here. Its richest and most prestigious race is the Pacific Classic. The fairgrounds also hosts the San Diego County Fair, the largest county fair in the United States.

45 Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida is an entertainment complex home to a casino, a racecourse, and numerous shopping and dining options. It hosts several important events on the American racing calendar including the Florida Derby, the Sunshine Millions and the richest race in North America, the Pegasus World Cup.

46 Keeneland Race Course is located in Lexington, Kentucky, which is known as the "Horse Capital of the World". It hosts the Blue Grass Stakes and Ashland Stakes, both prep races for the Kentucky Derby, as well as the Fall Stars Weekend, which includes several prep races for the Breeders' Cup. It is also home to the largest Thoroughbred auction house in the world.

47 Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey is home to the Haskell Invitational, a major event on the American racing calendar. Spectators at the Haskell International receive a complimentary commemorative baseball cap while stocks last.

48 Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Arkansas, about a mile south of the city's national park, is home to the Arkansas Derby, a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby.

49 Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore hosts the Preakness Stakes, the second of the American Triple Crown races, and the second most prestigious race in the United States after the Kentucky Derby.

50 Ruidoso Downs Race Track is the spiritual home of the American Quarter Horse, being home to many of the most important races for the breed. The flagship event is the All American Futurity, which is billed as the "World’s Richest Quarter Horse Race" with a winner's purse of US$1.5 million.

51 Santa Anita Park in Arcadia near Los Angeles hosts several important races on the American horse racing calendar such as the Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Handicap. It is known for having the nearby San Gabriel Mountains serving as a scenic backdrop to the racetrack, as well as its Art Deco grandstand.

52 Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York is one of the oldest and most celebrated racecourses in the United States, and hosts both flat and steeplechase races. The flagship event of the racecourse is the Travers Stakes.

The Breeders' Cup and three Triple Crown races are considered to be the pinnacle of American horse racing. Unlike the other major races, the Breeders' Cup does not have a fixed venue, and rotates among the major racecourses in the United States (except for one year when it was held in Canada) every year.

Oceania

Australia

Horse racing in Australia is generally regulated at the state level, and organised by individual racecourses. Nevertheless, Racing Australia maintains a calendar of all professional horse races in Australia, as well as links to the individual state racing authorities.

53 Ascot Racecourse is the premier horse racing venue is Perth, Western Australia. Its flagship race is the Perth Cup, and it also plays host to other top-tier handicap races such as the Kingston Town Classic, Railway Stakes and Winterbottom Stakes.

54 Birdsville Race Club is known for its remote and sparsely-populated location in the vast Australian Outback. It hosts the famed annual Birdsville Races in the spring, during which the town's population temporarily swells from about 100 to 7000 for the two-day event. Part of the proceeds from the races are donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

55 Caulfield Racecourse is Melbourne's second major horse racing venues that hosts multiple top quality races every year, with its flagship event being the Caulfield Cup.

56 Eagle Farm Racecourse is Brisbane's premier horse racing venue, known for its Winter Racing Carnival whose flagship race is the Stradbroke Handicap.

Super Saturday at Flemington racecourse

57 Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne is Australia's premier horse racing venue and hosts the Melbourne Cup, one of the world's most coveted races and the showpiece event on the Australian horse racing calendar. As a testament to the importance of horse racing in Australian culture, the day of the Melbourne Cup is a public holiday in the state of Victoria.

58 Moonee Valley Racecourse, marketed as The Valley, in Melbourne is home to the W.S. Cox Plate, Australia's richest weight-for-age race. The only racecourse in Melbourne to have night races.

59 Royal Randwick Racecourse is the premier racecourse in Sydney. It hosts a two-day event in April known as The Championships, which includes some of Australia's most coveted races such as the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Australian Derby and Doncaster Mile. Since 2017, it has held The Everest, the richest race in Australia and the richest race on turf in the world, with a purse of A$15 million.

60 Rosehill Gardens Racecourse is Sydney's second major racecourse, and is best known for being home to the Golden Slipper Stakes.

New Zealand

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing coordinates the rules for horse racing in New Zealand, and has a complete list of all horse races in New Zealand.

61 Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland is New Zealand's premier racecourse and hosts the Auckland Cup, New Zealand Derby and Karaka Millions, the main events on New Zealand's horse racing calendar. The world's first automatic totalisator was installed here in 1913.

62 Hawke's Bay Racecourse in Hastings hosts the Spring Classic, New Zealand's most prestigious weight-for-age handicap race.

63 Riccarton Park Racecourse in Christchurch is the most important racecourse in South Island, and hosts the New Zealand 1,000 Guineas, the New Zealand 2,000 Guineas and the New Zealand Cup.

64 Trentham Racecourse in Wellington hosts several important races including the New Zealand Oaks and the Wellington Cup.

See

Museums

• 1 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, 191 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, ☏ +1 518 584-0400. W-Su 9AM-5PM. Next to the Saratoga racecourse, get a tour and step back in time, as the memorabilia provides a look into the past of horse racing. (updated May 2019)
• 2 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, 555 Rexdale Boulevard, Toronto Etobicoke, ON, Canada (At west entrance of Woodbine Racetrack near Pearson Airport), ☏ +1 416 417-9404, admin@horseracinghalloffame.com. (updated May 2019)
• 3 Kentucky Derby Museum, 704 Central Ave, Louisville, KY USA, ☏ +1 502 637-1111. 8–5 M-Sat, 11–5 Sun. Located on the Churchill Downs grounds, this museum is similar to the National Museum of Racing, but focused more on the Kentucky Derby. The signature features are a "time machine" that allows visitors to watch replays of every Kentucky Derby since 1918, and a cemetery where five Derby winners are buried. A sixth Derby winner is buried outside the main gate, with his gravesite marked by a life-size statue. Extra-cost tours of Churchill Downs are also offered. (updated Feb 2022)
• 4 Palace House (UK National Horse Racing Museum), 1-9 Palace Avenue, Newmarket, UK, ☏ +44 1638 667314. 10AM-5PM everyday. A heritage center for the country where the sport began. (updated May 2019)
• 5 Hong Kong Racing Museum, 2/F, Happy Valley Stand, Happy Valley Racecourse, Hong Kong, ☏ +852 2966-8065. Noon-7pm Everyday. Artificats and some of the largest exhibits in the world next to the track of the Happy Valley Racecourse. (updated May 2019)
• 6 JRA Racing Museum, Tokyo Racecourse 1-1, Hiyoshi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-8550, Japan, ☏ +81 42-314-5800. 10am-5pm on race days, 10am-4pm otherwise. Located next to the Tokyo Racecourse. Has exhibitions about the history of horse racing in Japan and around the world. (updated May 2019)
• 7 Australian Racing Museum, National Sports Museum, Gate 3, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Inner east Melbourne, ☏ +61 3 9258-4269, +61 3 9258-4832, contact@racingmuseum.com.au. 10am-5pm daily. A museum dedicated to the history of horse racing in Australia. (updated May 2019)
• 8 Finnish Horse Racing Museum (Suomen Hevosurheilumuseo) (Ypäjä near Jokioinen), ☏ +358 2 5480005. Though humble, there is a large history inside, with a show and the attraction of a cavalry exhibit. (updated Jan 2021)

Academies

• 1 Alshaquab Racing Academy, ☏ +974 4454 1992. This is where horses and riders are trained in Qatar; visitors have a great opportunity to see how it's done. (updated May 2019)

Do

Off-course betting at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai

• Cheer on favorite team: Particularly at Churchill Downs, there are tens of teams to support, and many fans support their favorite horse, although many come for the experience.
• Dress up (depending on course and event). If you wish to show the spirit of the day, then there is apparel for everyone to giddy up in (especially for women). Put on a "sans hat", the customary head wear at all tracks and you'll fit right in. Some prestigious events will have a formal dress code and expect you dress smartly. Even if the dress code is smart, you may wish to factor in what's appropriate for going onto the track or paddock areas. Heels should be avoided, as they are a hassle, and the mud doesn't help. (Although they are acceptable off the track, and can add to the attire.) At some races, you can even participate in fashion contests as a spectator.
• Attend pre-and post race events. The warm ups allows the spectators to get an up close look at the competitors, and after the race, one can witness interviews and get signatures.
• Learn the jargon, because everything will be nonsense otherwise. Refer to the Prepare section above for words to use, and what they mean. Who knows, you might impress your friends, family, or fellow fans!

Gambling

If you win … Chances are, if you win it big in the U.S.A. and you are not a U.S. citizen, your winnings will be subject to a 30% withholding tax from the Internal Revenue Service. A $10,000 take on a long-shot bet can dwindle quite quickly if that is taken off the top. Not to worry though you can reclaim your gambling winnings tax through a 1042-S form. You can get this form and instructions at this IRS link; it is your starting ticket to getting your gambling winnings back.

Perhaps one of the common activities that accompanies horse racing is gambling. Many tracks have on-site betting areas where you can wager some cash on the results of each race. In some areas, you can even find many off-track betting sites.

Expect to find betting at all tracks, so off-site betting may be unnecessary.

The procedure for placing bets and receiving winnings differs significantly from venue to venue. In some countries, such as Japan, the process is entirely automated, while in others, you will need to actually speak to staff at a counter.

Even in countries where gambling is otherwise illegal, exceptions are often made for horse racing. Countries without such exceptions include the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which bar all forms of gambling with no exceptions, meaning that you will not be able to place bets at the races.

United Kingdom

Placing a bet on a horse in the UK is typically done either on course, or via off-track bookmakers. These include chains such as Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and William Hill.

A form of parimutuel betting, wherein the pool of bets taken are shared amongst winners, is also available on some races and at some courses. Until 2018 this was the sole preserve of a single provider "The Tote", but other bookmakers may now offer 'tote' or 'parimutuel' options.

Buy

Quite a few things are available to buy, and can be quite the memorabilia to keep, or win by. Do remember that scams are vigilant around anything that can be sold, and only purchase from authorized retailers.

• Souvenirs One may be able to find an action figure, an image, or many other items. Some items you can get an autograph on, ask around.
• Betting Cards See "Gambling" above. All over the world, betting on races is a popular and low-cost activity for many, that can be fun and result in a win. Find one at any on-site casino, or off-site.
• The game Several versions available, such as CII and across the board. $25-75 from Amazon or Walmart.

There are also statues and paintings, timeless objects that make great decorations.

Stay safe

Viewers at the 2017 Kentucky Derby

Attendance at horse racing events is usually safe, and they are often calm events. Hefty emotions that others can feel toward their teams and potentially uncomfortable comments should be ignored, as getting a rise only adds to the situation. The weather can vary from event to event, and from country to country--A competition in Dubai can leave you hot while the Toronto grand prix can be quite cold. Besides this, take the normal precautions, and a few more:

• Bookmakers : Whilst on-track betting is generally regulated, it can pay to keep your wits about you. Odds needs to be carefully considered, and that long-shot you see might not be as likely as interest in it may suggest.
• Scams: That betting-book may not be real, or some fast-talking person locked you into a deal not worth the bargain. Also be aware of racing tipsters, they may seem like legitimate prediction services, though behind the ruse is a scam. To avoid these problems, only purchase from an authorized retailer. Other scams and tricks involve people selling fake autographs online. These can be hard to distinguish so be careful, or just get it from the racer himself or herself.
• Rough crowds appear at the most prestigious of tracks, however they are not that common. Perhaps the worst time for this is after a night race, or the weekends—even more so in the infield at a major event such as a U.S. Triple Crown race. Those who recently drank alcohol can be more belligerent, so they generally should be avoided in this case.
• The weather. Better explained in "Prepare". Basically though, in some countries weather is close to unpredictable, especially around spring (thus race season)

Respect

Fans are generally understanding if one doesn't know the right terms to use, though they may chuckle a bit. In general though, it's okay to mess up, but it's uncomfortable. Courtesy should be a given and restraint (avoiding being rowdy) should be the norm. Otherwise, there may be trouble. (See "Stay safe")

If you are watching races course-side, try to avoid doing things that may be mistaken for an official signal by trainers, or course officials. Whilst rare due to the professionalism of course officials and riders alike, there have also been a few incidents when an action in the crowd has contributed to a 'false' start.

Equine welfare is taken very seriously in racing, allegations of ill-treatment of, or sharp practice towards horses can invoke strong reactions, or disciplinary consequences. If you have genuine or sincere concerns, these should be made discreetly to the course officials or stewards at the first convenient opportunity.

Go next

Besides horse racing, other types of animal racing are also conducted on a commercial scale, with perhaps the most notable one being greyhound racing. Like horse racing, greyhound racing was spread around the world by the British through their large colonial empire, and tends to be most popular in former British colonies. Camel racing is very popular in much of the Middle East.

• Formula One The world's most popular car racing event has been going on for a century, and attracts crowds from America to Australia. Considers Monaco its home.
• Horse riding The natural way to start if you want to compete in the horse races.
• Kentucky Derby Region: Tour Louisville after going to Churchill Downs, and then eat at a KFC.