GITNUXREPORT 2025

Horse Racing Statistics

Horse racing, a billion-dollar sport with historic roots and global popularity.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average career span of a thoroughbred racehorse is about 4-5 years

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Jockeys wear helmets that can weigh up to 3 pounds, providing safety during races

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Equine causes of fatalities in racing include musculoskeletal injuries and cardiac events, with mortality rates estimated at 2-4 per 1,000 starts

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Racehorses typically consume 5-10 gallons of water daily during training and racing periods

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The mortality rate for racehorses has decreased significantly over the last 50 years due to improved safety measures, from approximately 4 per 1,000 to under 2 per 1,000 starts

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The average lifespan of a thoroughbred in a retirement farm is around 15-20 years, with some living longer in sanctuary settings

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The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the United States, first run in 1875

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Horse racing is one of the oldest sports, with origins dating back to ancient civilizations over 4,000 years ago

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The oldest race in the world, the Tijuana Derby, was first run in 1896, indicating a long history of racing in Mexico

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The jockey with the most wins in Kentucky Derby history is Bill Hartack, with 5 wins

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The tallest recorded horse was Big Jake, measuring 20.2 hands (82 inches), though not a racehorse, this highlights equine diversity

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The first documented horse race in recorded history was held in ancient Greece in 648 BC during the Olympic Games

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The Derby at Epsom Downs is the oldest annual scheduled horse race in the world, dating back to 1780

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The global horse racing market was valued at approximately $15 billion in 2021

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The Breeders’ Cup World Championships features over $30 million in prize money

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In 2022, the total prize money awarded in U.S. thoroughbred racing was over $350 million

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The biggest purse ever for a single horse race was $20 million at the Dubai World Cup in 2018

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More than 8,000 Thoroughbred foals are born annually in the United States to maintain the racing industry

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The average breeding cost of a thoroughbred mare in the U.S. is around $15,000 to $50,000 annually

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Betters in the U.S. wagered over $11 billion on horse racing in 2022, making it one of the most bet-on sports

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The average payout for a winning $2 exacta bet in major races is approximately $300

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Thoroughbred racing accounts for about 75% of total global horse racing betting turnover

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The average breeding fee for a top-tier stallion in Kentucky can exceed $150,000 per mare

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Major horse racing jurisdictions like New York, California, and Florida generate combined annual revenues exceeding $1 billion from racing and betting

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Approximately 90% of the horse racing industry revenue comes from betting, followed by sponsorships and media rights

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The American Horse Council estimates there are about 9 million horses in the U.S., with a significant portion involved in racing, riding, or breeding

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In Japan, the competitive betting handle for horse racing in 2021 surpassed $125 billion, indicating strong public interest

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The world's most expensive horse sold at auction was Fusaichi Pegasus, purchased for $70 million in 2000, though not a racehorse, it highlights racing industry valuations

Statistic 29

The total global purses for thoroughbred racing surpass $3 billion annually, making it a lucrative industry for stakeholders

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The racing industry contributes significantly to local economies, with levels of employment and tourism generating billions annually, such as over $4 billion annually in New York alone

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The top three flat racing nations in terms of economic impact are the USA, UK, and Australia, collectively accounting for over 70% of global flat racing revenue

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The average weight carried by a thoroughbred in a race is about 126 pounds (including jockey and equipment)

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The highest recorded speed of a thoroughbred horse is approximately 44 miles per hour (70.8 km/h)

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The highest-rated racehorse in modern history was Secretariat, with a Speed Rating of 139

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The average number of races per year for a successful racehorse is roughly 25-30, depending on health and age

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The majority of racehorses are turned over to trainers at an early age, around 2-3 years old, to prepare for their racing careers

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The average age of a jockey in professional horse racing is approximately 30 years old, with many starting their careers in their teens

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The global population of racehorses is estimated to be around 200,000, with the United States, Australia, and Japan having the largest numbers

Statistic 39

The average jockey weight limit in most jurisdictions is around 118-125 pounds, including riding gear, to ensure safety and fairness

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Approximately 2 million people attend horse racing events annually in the United States

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The total number of fixtures held in the UK each year exceeds 1,500, offering thousands of races

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The average attendance at the Kentucky Derby is over 150,000 spectators

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The number of horses in the British flat racing season exceeds 1,500 events annually, with thousands more in steeplechase racing

Statistic 44

In 2020, due to COVID-19, global horse racing events faced a 70% reduction in spectators and betting revenue

Statistic 45

In 2022, France hosted over 5,000 horse racing events, including flat and jump racing, attracting thousands of spectators

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Sources

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Key Highlights

The global horse racing market was valued at approximately $15 billion in 2021
The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the United States, first run in 1875
Approximately 2 million people attend horse racing events annually in the United States
The average weight carried by a thoroughbred in a race is about 126 pounds (including jockey and equipment)
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships features over $30 million in prize money
The highest recorded speed of a thoroughbred horse is approximately 44 miles per hour (70.8 km/h)
In 2022, the total prize money awarded in U.S. thoroughbred racing was over $350 million
The average career span of a thoroughbred racehorse is about 4-5 years
Jockeys wear helmets that can weigh up to 3 pounds, providing safety during races
The biggest purse ever for a single horse race was $20 million at the Dubai World Cup in 2018
More than 8,000 Thoroughbred foals are born annually in the United States to maintain the racing industry
Horse racing is one of the oldest sports, with origins dating back to ancient civilizations over 4,000 years ago
Equine causes of fatalities in racing include musculoskeletal injuries and cardiac events, with mortality rates estimated at 2-4 per 1,000 starts

Horse racing, a sport dating back over 4,000 years and worth approximately $15 billion globally, captivates millions annually with iconic events like the Kentucky Derby, where speeds reach up to 44 miles per hour, showcasing a blend of tradition, fierce competition, and economic influence.

Health, Safety, and Welfare of Racehorses

The average career span of a thoroughbred racehorse is about 4-5 years
Jockeys wear helmets that can weigh up to 3 pounds, providing safety during races
Equine causes of fatalities in racing include musculoskeletal injuries and cardiac events, with mortality rates estimated at 2-4 per 1,000 starts
Racehorses typically consume 5-10 gallons of water daily during training and racing periods
The mortality rate for racehorses has decreased significantly over the last 50 years due to improved safety measures, from approximately 4 per 1,000 to under 2 per 1,000 starts
The average lifespan of a thoroughbred in a retirement farm is around 15-20 years, with some living longer in sanctuary settings

Health, Safety, and Welfare of Racehorses Interpretation

While the swift careers and brief lives of racehorses highlight the sport’s thrill, advancements in safety and care now better ensure that these majestic athletes gallop from the track to longer, healthier retirements rather than the brink.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the United States, first run in 1875
Horse racing is one of the oldest sports, with origins dating back to ancient civilizations over 4,000 years ago
The oldest race in the world, the Tijuana Derby, was first run in 1896, indicating a long history of racing in Mexico
The jockey with the most wins in Kentucky Derby history is Bill Hartack, with 5 wins
The tallest recorded horse was Big Jake, measuring 20.2 hands (82 inches), though not a racehorse, this highlights equine diversity
The first documented horse race in recorded history was held in ancient Greece in 648 BC during the Olympic Games
The Derby at Epsom Downs is the oldest annual scheduled horse race in the world, dating back to 1780

Historical and Cultural Significance Interpretation

From the ancient Greek Olympics to the timeless traditions of the Kentucky Derby, horse racing's rich history, marked by legendary jockeys like Bill Hartack and towering steeds like Big Jake, underscores a sport where longevity and diversity race as fiercely as the competitors themselves.

Industry Economics and Market Value

The global horse racing market was valued at approximately $15 billion in 2021
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships features over $30 million in prize money
In 2022, the total prize money awarded in U.S. thoroughbred racing was over $350 million
The biggest purse ever for a single horse race was $20 million at the Dubai World Cup in 2018
More than 8,000 Thoroughbred foals are born annually in the United States to maintain the racing industry
The average breeding cost of a thoroughbred mare in the U.S. is around $15,000 to $50,000 annually
Betters in the U.S. wagered over $11 billion on horse racing in 2022, making it one of the most bet-on sports
The average payout for a winning $2 exacta bet in major races is approximately $300
Thoroughbred racing accounts for about 75% of total global horse racing betting turnover
The average breeding fee for a top-tier stallion in Kentucky can exceed $150,000 per mare
Major horse racing jurisdictions like New York, California, and Florida generate combined annual revenues exceeding $1 billion from racing and betting
Approximately 90% of the horse racing industry revenue comes from betting, followed by sponsorships and media rights
The American Horse Council estimates there are about 9 million horses in the U.S., with a significant portion involved in racing, riding, or breeding
In Japan, the competitive betting handle for horse racing in 2021 surpassed $125 billion, indicating strong public interest
The world's most expensive horse sold at auction was Fusaichi Pegasus, purchased for $70 million in 2000, though not a racehorse, it highlights racing industry valuations
The total global purses for thoroughbred racing surpass $3 billion annually, making it a lucrative industry for stakeholders
The racing industry contributes significantly to local economies, with levels of employment and tourism generating billions annually, such as over $4 billion annually in New York alone
The top three flat racing nations in terms of economic impact are the USA, UK, and Australia, collectively accounting for over 70% of global flat racing revenue

Industry Economics and Market Value Interpretation

With a global valuation surpassing $15 billion and annual purses exceeding $3 billion, horse racing is undeniably a high-stakes industry where bettors wager over $11 billion in the U.S. alone—proving that, for many, the thrill of the race is just as profitable as the biggest purse, and the industry’s economic hoofprint runs as deep as the horses’ hooves.

Racehorse and Jockey Demographics and Characteristics

The average weight carried by a thoroughbred in a race is about 126 pounds (including jockey and equipment)
The highest recorded speed of a thoroughbred horse is approximately 44 miles per hour (70.8 km/h)
The highest-rated racehorse in modern history was Secretariat, with a Speed Rating of 139
The average number of races per year for a successful racehorse is roughly 25-30, depending on health and age
The majority of racehorses are turned over to trainers at an early age, around 2-3 years old, to prepare for their racing careers
The average age of a jockey in professional horse racing is approximately 30 years old, with many starting their careers in their teens
The global population of racehorses is estimated to be around 200,000, with the United States, Australia, and Japan having the largest numbers
The average jockey weight limit in most jurisdictions is around 118-125 pounds, including riding gear, to ensure safety and fairness

Racehorse and Jockey Demographics and Characteristics Interpretation

While thoroughbreds carry around 126 pounds into a race—outpacing speeds of 44 mph and nosing toward legendary status like Secretariat’s 139 rating—the real race begins in the young trainer’s stable at age two, with jockeys just hitting their prime at 30, all under the weight limit of approximately 125 pounds, as around 200,000 globally vie for glory—proving that in the world of purebred racing, even the numbers race as fiercely as the horses themselves.

Racing Events and Attendance

Approximately 2 million people attend horse racing events annually in the United States
The total number of fixtures held in the UK each year exceeds 1,500, offering thousands of races
The average attendance at the Kentucky Derby is over 150,000 spectators
The number of horses in the British flat racing season exceeds 1,500 events annually, with thousands more in steeplechase racing
In 2020, due to COVID-19, global horse racing events faced a 70% reduction in spectators and betting revenue
In 2022, France hosted over 5,000 horse racing events, including flat and jump racing, attracting thousands of spectators

Racing Events and Attendance Interpretation

Despite facing unprecedented setbacks in 2020, horse racing remains a global spectacle with millions attending yearly, thousands of thrilling races in the UK and France, and iconic events like the Kentucky Derby drawing over 150,000 spectators—proving that as long as horses are galloping, the race isn’t over.