A look at horse racing tracks in different parts of the globe will reveal how they have evolved to meet the cultural and social ethos of the regions. Horse racing is gambling and gambling has always had a disreputable image associated with it which is why horse racing tracks, if they are to survive and prosper (many do not), need the support of the community in which they are located to establish their reputation and standing.
Horse racing began when primitive man domesticated the animals and tried to see whose was faster and this developed into modern horse racing which has its roots in Europe. England is the home of horse racing and the sport has a prominent place in local culture and races like Ascot are as much social events as races. Since the Royal Family have always been patrons of this sport it has an aura of gentility and refinement and many horse racing tracks are more like clubs for the social elite than simple racing venues.
In America horse racing is a big business and in order to draw in large crowds, horse racing tracks now offer far more than just racing. Serious gambling does occur but horse racing tracks are now venues for the family to spend a day out and there are range of entertainment options available to keep those who are not so interested in the races occupied while the serious punters focus on the racing. Large video screens for instant replays of close finishes, slot machines, arcade games and a range of eating options and even picnic grounds all come together to make American horse racing tracks multidimensional entertainment venues.
New race venues like Dubai have become extremely popular over the last few years and have encouraged the spread of the sport. With the vast riches at its disposal Dubai has made one of the most opulent horse racing tracks in the world which has become a place where not only are colossal amounts bet, but also an important stop on the international party circuit. Although these new horse racing tracks do not have either reputations or tradition behind them, the sheer opulence of the venues and the purses on offer means that they are able to attract the best horses and jockeys so the racing standards are among the highest in the world. Not to be left behind, horse racing tracks in Asia are also upgrading themselves and using their money and the new technologies that the region comes out with to create race tracks with cutting edge facilities to attract a larger part of the revenues that horse racing generates internationally.
But no amount of money and technology can make a great horse racing track unless the racing conditions – the length of the straights, the number and nature of the bends and the track surface etc. are such that they encourage good racing.
