The Changing Face Of Horse Racing Tracks

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. In order to overcome the negative connotations that gambling often has, horse racing, one of the oldest forms of gambling known to man, needs to have the support of the residents of the region and this is why horse racing tracks are far more than places where horses run against each other.

Horse racing, in its modern form, has its roots in Europe and this is where you will find some of the oldest horse racing tracks, many with long histories and traditions attached to them. 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. Because of the interest that British royalty has taken in horse racing, it became known as the "Sport of Kings" and many of the racing tracks in the country are gathering places for the rich and famous. In America however, horse racing is not just an adult pastime - it s a big business that earns vast amounts from the crowds that gather at races.

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. Everything from video screens, a range of eating options, video games arcades, and even other forms of gambling make American horse racing tracks places where the family can spend a day. New race venues like Dubai have become extremely popular over the last few years and have encouraged the spread of the sport. Using the vast financial resources available, Dubai has created one of the most extravagant horse racing tracks in the world and while huge amounts of money are bet on the races, they are more often seen as places where the international glitterati meet and party.

Dubai and other such newer venues may not have the long racing traditions that American and European horse racing tracks do, but they make up for this by the state of the art facilities and huge purses which ensure that the best jockeys and horses in the world race there. 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 whatever be the location of the tracks, there are some fundamental issues like the length, number and type of bends, inclines and so on that must be taken into consideration when a track is designed because no matter what the other factors are that draw in the crowds, it is the quality of the racing that is the most important factors for any horse racing track.