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Horse Racing

Known colloquially as the 'sport of kings', horse racing is a hugely popular sport in many countries throughout the world, and nowhere more so than Australia. 

What's horse racing all about?

There are plenty of intricacies and complexities to the racing caper, but in essence it's all about one very obvious horses. A horse race basically consists of a contest where two or more competitors (horses) and their jockey's compete against one another over a set course and distance for an established purse.

An elite horse racing event will generally include all of the following ingredients: supreme athletes (both man and beast), huge crowds, high-end fashion, on-course entertainment, betting thrills and a measure of quality food and drinks in keeping with the modesty of the given racegoer... For most people it all amounts to a cracking day out!

Horse racing in Australia

2016 Melbourne Cup winner AlmandinPictured: Almandin getting the better of Heartbreak City in the 2016 Melbourne Cup (Image: Getty)

Not only does the sport appeal to the masses thanks to its significant entertainment value, but it also commands a serious amount of money and interest through betting turnover. The broad appeal of horse racing and the considerable wagering that it attracts has led to significant growth in the horse racing industry here in Australia.

Few sports would employ as many workers and create as many jobs as horse racing does. As well as the more visible personnel such as jockeys, trainers and bookmakers, there are an additional 200+ thousand Australians employed to work behind the scenes in a range of different capacities.

There are race meetings held in Australia on every day of the year bar two: Good Friday and Christmas day. Some Victorians (notably Melbournians) are even awarded a public holiday on the first Tuesday in November, so they can properly celebrate Australia's most famous race, the Melbourne Cup.

All in all you could say horse racing is kind of a big deal in Australia.

Horse racing by the numbers

Racing Australia Fact Book (2014/2015) - Key Facts & Figures 
The Facts The Figures
Horses 36,332
Jockeys 586
Trainers 3515
Bookmakers 466
Tracks 356
Race Clubs 371
Starters 184,800
Individual Runners 30,229
Races 18,949
Group One Races 72
Race Meetings 2,634
Total Prize Money $525,015,476
Wagering turnover A$15.898b

Key sectors of the Australian racing industry

The horse racing industry has become so large that it's difficult to know if it's a sport first and an industry second or the other way around.

Racing Australia is the new national industry body, having commenced operations on 13 April 2015. Racing Australia is the outcome of a merger between the Australian Racing Board (ARB), Racing Information Services Australia (RISA) and the Australian Stud Book (ASB), incorporating the functions and assets of each previous entity.

Racing Australia functions as the key information and services provider to the Principle Racing Authorities responsible for the administration of the sport in each of the states and territories. Australia has 389 race clubs.

The Principle Racing Authorities in each state and territory
New South Wales: Racing NSW
Victoria: Racing Victoria Limited
Queensland: Racing Queensland
Western Australia: Racing & Wagering Western Australia
South Australia: Thoroughbred Racing S.A. Limited
Northern Territory: Thoroughbred Racing NT
Tasmania: Tasracing Pty Ltd
Australian Capital Territory: Canberra Racing Club Inc.

Key industry bodies and associations
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
Aushorse Ltd
Australian Trainers Association
Australian Jockeys Association
Australian Bookmakers Association
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia Limited.