The internet is perhaps the greatest technological invention that has made the world a global village. Today, the internet is used in almost all industries across the globe, making activities much simpler and more effective. The horseracing industry is one such industry that has seen massive transformation due to the functionality of the internet.
Horse racing, the second-largest spectator sport in Great Britain, has been around for quite a while. Well, according to survey, more than 6 million people attend horse races in the UK all around the year. The Cheltenham Gold Cup, Grand National, Epsom Derby, Ascot Gold Cup and King George VI Chase are the five of the most prestigious races attracting fans from all over the world.
But now, how has the internet been instrumental in affecting this horse racing industry? Read on to understand more of this.
The Online Betting Revolution
When you hear about horse racing, there is a good chance that you will also think about betting. Gambling on horse racing was started in the early 1600s during the reign of King James I. In the early years, betting was done at the races through physical bookmakers. Right now, online betting has made everything easy.
With online betting, you can actually stake from anywhere around the world. The convenience is real! In fact, many betting platforms and casinos offer bonuses to improve the gambling experience of horse racing lovers. To make things even more interesting, there are online reviewers who look for the best bonuses in the market for players to ensure that they are able to bet on even more games. For instance, Casingdom’s guide to top bonus offers helps you interact with some of the best casino bonus offers around.
Apart from just convenience, online betting has come with more perks. There is a fair betting experience for global viewers. Due to the dynamic nature of horse racing, it is important to have live streams for players who prefer live horse betting. Viewers need real-time information so that they can make informed decisions. Long gone are the days when the bets were closed hours before the race even started. Today, bookmakers accept wagers even seconds before the gates are open.
Live Streaming
The marriage between live-streaming technology and horse racing is the perfection of matchmaking. Right now, especially with the development of 5G technology and WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication), the viewer experience has been ultimately advanced. These technologies have allowed for high-definition imagery and sound, which are necessary, especially for fans not at the race tracks. This has helped increase viewership and keep the fans engaged on their screens.
If you are a fan of horse racing, you’ve definitely watched videos of horses like Red Rum in the Grand National, Secretariat and Seabiscuit in the Kentucky Derby, and Best Mate in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. When you watch these races that are always in black and white, you can still feel the adrenaline rush and the thrill that was happening in those races. However, do you imagine how thrilling it would be if you could watch these magnificent horses in full HD or 4K? That’s exactly what this current technology is doing. Taking you to the tracks when you are in your house!
Today, major racing events are broadcast on different streaming platforms as well as traditional TV networks. The widespread coverage is also instrumental in increasing the viewership as well as creating the opportunity for sponsors to reach a global audience.
When it comes to betting, online bookmakers can now offer pre-bets and in-play bets for users, as well as offer live viewing experiences. Viewers are now able to make small wagers during the races, from track positions of horses to the latest split time.
Social Media and Fan Engagement
Social media has come out as one of the most powerful horse racing tools. Today, platforms like X, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram are used not only to provide fans with instant news and race results but also to connect with the fans directly. Horse owners, trainers, and jockeys have their own social media channels where they give fans a good behind-the-scenes look at famous horses. You get to see photos, horse training moments and other priceless moments from their daily lives.
“I knew if he got it, they’d know who he was when the race was over.” – Rich Strike trainer, Eric Reed
We definitely know. pic.twitter.com/6MRXdqhYQO
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 8, 2022
For example, one of the greatest races in history was the 2022 Kentucky Derby, where a long shot, Rich Strike, won the race in a surprising manner. A horse that just 24 hours prior to the race was not to race in the Derby won against the favourites at the last moments. With a social media platform like YouTube, you are able to witness the win again and again as well as see the behind-the-scenes before the race even took place. Also, you can interact with the trainer Eric Reed or the Jockey Sonny Leon on various platforms like Facebook, Instagram or X.
Apart from fan engagement, social media has helped in the marketing and promotion of racing events. According to Statista, as of February 2025, there were over 5.25 billion social media users globally. This makes such a wide market for potential audiences in the market. Tools like hashtags, influencer marketing and viral videos have worked together to promote major races to a wider group of people and increase the number of horse racing fans.
What is Our Final Word?
The internet has worked magic to make the horse racing industry even more appealing than it was ever before. The rise of the 5G network, streaming services and social media has seen more people interact with the ‘Sport of Kings’ in a much bigger way than history has ever seen. In the coming years, we expect to see bigger things emerging from horse racing courtesy of the internet.
