GITNUXREPORT 2025

Racing Industry Statistics

Global horse racing generates $100 billion annually worldwide industry valued at $250 billion.

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 number of racing programs broadcast live via streaming platforms increased by 45% in 2023

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There are roughly 900 horse racing tracks worldwide

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In 2022, the attendance at major UK horse racing events exceeded 1.2 million spectators

Statistic 4

The largest racecourse in the world by seating capacity is the Saudi Cup racecourse, with roughly 10,000 seats

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In 2022, the number of live race events held worldwide was over 25,000

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In 2022, North American racetracks hosted over 4,000 racing days

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The average bettor in American horse racing wagers about $64 per race

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The number of licensed trainers in North America exceeds 2,000

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The jockeys’ average career span is around 5 years

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The average age of racehorses that win major stakes races is about 3 years old

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About 60% of racehorse owners are first-time investors

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The use of doping substances in horse racing has decreased by 25% in recent years due to stricter regulations

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The median household income of horse racing owners in the U.S. is approximately $100,000

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About 50% of racehorse owners worldwide purchase their horses at public auctions

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The number of female jockeys has increased by 15% in the last five years worldwide

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The average number of races a jockey wins per season in the U.S. is roughly 20

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The percentage of racetracks that have adopted safety improvements such as foam padding has increased by 30% in the last decade

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The percentage of female trainers in the racing industry has grown by 12% over the last five years

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The global racing industry generates over $100 billion annually

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The U.S. horseracing industry alone contributes approximately $3 billion to the economy each year

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The total purses for major international racing events exceed $300 million annually

Statistic 22

In 2023, a record $20 million prize was awarded at the Pegasus World Cup Invitational

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The global betting handle for horse racing exceeded $150 billion in 2022

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Synthetic tracks are used in about 15% of major racing venues worldwide

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The U.S. horse racing industry employs approximately 150,000 people directly

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Horse racing revenue in Australia is estimated at over AU$1 billion annually

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The percentage of betting turnover from online platforms has increased by 50% over the last five years

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The worldwide breeding industry for thoroughbreds generates approximately $4 billion annually

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The average career earnings of top jockeys exceed $10 million

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Horse racing accounts for roughly 5% of global sports betting

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The number of racetracks closing in North America has decreased by 10% over the past decade due to industry investments

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The total global prize money for Dubai World Cup in 2023 was $12 million

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The US derives approximately 40% of its total sports betting revenue from horse racing

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The global equine sports industry, including racing, is valued at around $250 billion

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Global online simulcast betting on horse races exceeds $10 billion annually

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The average turnover per race in UK racecourses is approximately £20,000

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The preservation of historic racetracks is a growing movement, with over 20 tracks designated as heritage sites worldwide

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The average percentage of total revenue spent on medication and veterinary care is about 8% in the racing industry

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Horse racing industry’s wagering handle increased by 12% in North America during 2022

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Around 85% of betting in Australia’s racing industry is now done online

Statistic 41

Industry investments in racetrack infrastructure in the last five years have exceeded $1 billion worldwide

Statistic 42

The annual turnover of the French racing industry surpasses €3 billion

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The average prize for a winner in a Grade 1 race in North America is over $500,000

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The economic multiplier effect of horse racing in the U.S. is estimated to be around 2.5, meaning every dollar spent generates $2.50 in economic activity

Statistic 45

The popularity of micro-betting in horse racing surged by 70% in 2023, driven by mobile app innovations

Statistic 46

The average cost to purchase a new racehorse in North America ranges from $50,000 to $150,000

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The number of active racehorses in the U.S. is approximately 11,000

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Thoroughbreds account for nearly 80% of racehorses in worldwide racing

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The average age of racehorses competing internationally is approximately 4 years old

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The percentage of equine fatalities in racing is around 1-2 per 1,000 starts

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There are approximately 60,000 active racehorses in Latin America

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Over 70% of racehorses in the U.S. are trained on less than 10 acres

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The average speed of a thoroughbred during a race is around 37 miles per hour

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In 2023, the total number of racehorses in training in France was approximately 8,000

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The average lifespan of a racehorse is about 25-30 years, but racing careers typically last around 4-5 years

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The proportion of racehorses that are geldings is about 65%

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The percentage of international racehorses imported into the U.S. has increased by 10% over five years

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The number of racehorses training in Ireland exceeds 10,000

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Around 40% of racehorses in the UK are purchased through private sales rather than auctions

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The number of international racehorses traveling for competitions has grown by 20% over the past five years

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The global breeding stock for racehorses exceeds 50,000 animals

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Sources

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Key Highlights

The global racing industry generates over $100 billion annually
The U.S. horseracing industry alone contributes approximately $3 billion to the economy each year
There are roughly 900 horse racing tracks worldwide
In 2022, the attendance at major UK horse racing events exceeded 1.2 million spectators
The number of active racehorses in the U.S. is approximately 11,000
The average bettor in American horse racing wagers about $64 per race
Thoroughbreds account for nearly 80% of racehorses in worldwide racing
The total purses for major international racing events exceed $300 million annually
In 2023, a record $20 million prize was awarded at the Pegasus World Cup Invitational
The number of licensed trainers in North America exceeds 2,000
The jockeys’ average career span is around 5 years
The average age of racehorses competing internationally is approximately 4 years old
The global betting handle for horse racing exceeded $150 billion in 2022

Did you know that the global racing industry generates over $100 billion annually, with the U.S. contributing approximately $3 billion, thousands of racetracks worldwide hosting major events attended by millions, and innovative betting platforms pushing the industry into a new era of excitement and growth?

Breeding, Broadcasting, and Innovation

The number of racing programs broadcast live via streaming platforms increased by 45% in 2023

Breeding, Broadcasting, and Innovation Interpretation

The 45% surge in live streaming racing programs in 2023 signals the industry’s strategic shift toward digital audiences, blending innovation with tradition to steer into a more connected future.

Geographical and Attendance Statistics

There are roughly 900 horse racing tracks worldwide
In 2022, the attendance at major UK horse racing events exceeded 1.2 million spectators
The largest racecourse in the world by seating capacity is the Saudi Cup racecourse, with roughly 10,000 seats
In 2022, the number of live race events held worldwide was over 25,000
In 2022, North American racetracks hosted over 4,000 racing days

Geographical and Attendance Statistics Interpretation

With over 900 tracks worldwide and more than 25,000 events annually, horse racing remains a global spectacle that draws millions to the stands—proof that despite modern distractions, the thrill of the race still captures the world's imagination.

Industry Participation and Demographics

The average bettor in American horse racing wagers about $64 per race
The number of licensed trainers in North America exceeds 2,000
The jockeys’ average career span is around 5 years
The average age of racehorses that win major stakes races is about 3 years old
About 60% of racehorse owners are first-time investors
The use of doping substances in horse racing has decreased by 25% in recent years due to stricter regulations
The median household income of horse racing owners in the U.S. is approximately $100,000
About 50% of racehorse owners worldwide purchase their horses at public auctions
The number of female jockeys has increased by 15% in the last five years worldwide
The average number of races a jockey wins per season in the U.S. is roughly 20
The percentage of racetracks that have adopted safety improvements such as foam padding has increased by 30% in the last decade
The percentage of female trainers in the racing industry has grown by 12% over the last five years

Industry Participation and Demographics Interpretation

These statistics reveal a dynamic industry balancing tradition and reform—where modest bettor wagers meet an expanding commitment to safety and diversity, all amid a youthful elite of racehorses, rising female participation, and a cautious but evolving approach to regulation and ownership.

Market Size and Economic Impact

The global racing industry generates over $100 billion annually
The U.S. horseracing industry alone contributes approximately $3 billion to the economy each year
The total purses for major international racing events exceed $300 million annually
In 2023, a record $20 million prize was awarded at the Pegasus World Cup Invitational
The global betting handle for horse racing exceeded $150 billion in 2022
Synthetic tracks are used in about 15% of major racing venues worldwide
The U.S. horse racing industry employs approximately 150,000 people directly
Horse racing revenue in Australia is estimated at over AU$1 billion annually
The percentage of betting turnover from online platforms has increased by 50% over the last five years
The worldwide breeding industry for thoroughbreds generates approximately $4 billion annually
The average career earnings of top jockeys exceed $10 million
Horse racing accounts for roughly 5% of global sports betting
The number of racetracks closing in North America has decreased by 10% over the past decade due to industry investments
The total global prize money for Dubai World Cup in 2023 was $12 million
The US derives approximately 40% of its total sports betting revenue from horse racing
The global equine sports industry, including racing, is valued at around $250 billion
Global online simulcast betting on horse races exceeds $10 billion annually
The average turnover per race in UK racecourses is approximately £20,000
The preservation of historic racetracks is a growing movement, with over 20 tracks designated as heritage sites worldwide
The average percentage of total revenue spent on medication and veterinary care is about 8% in the racing industry
Horse racing industry’s wagering handle increased by 12% in North America during 2022
Around 85% of betting in Australia’s racing industry is now done online
Industry investments in racetrack infrastructure in the last five years have exceeded $1 billion worldwide
The annual turnover of the French racing industry surpasses €3 billion
The average prize for a winner in a Grade 1 race in North America is over $500,000
The economic multiplier effect of horse racing in the U.S. is estimated to be around 2.5, meaning every dollar spent generates $2.50 in economic activity
The popularity of micro-betting in horse racing surged by 70% in 2023, driven by mobile app innovations
The average cost to purchase a new racehorse in North America ranges from $50,000 to $150,000

Market Size and Economic Impact Interpretation

With a global racing industry pumping over $100 billion annually—including record-breaking purses and booming online betting—it's clear that while the steeds may gallop for glory, the industry's financial jockeys are riding high on innovation, infrastructure investments, and a resilient appetite for adrenaline-fueled betting—both digital and dirt—keeping this historic sport racing into the future.

Racehorse Population and Infrastructure

The number of active racehorses in the U.S. is approximately 11,000
Thoroughbreds account for nearly 80% of racehorses in worldwide racing
The average age of racehorses competing internationally is approximately 4 years old
The percentage of equine fatalities in racing is around 1-2 per 1,000 starts
There are approximately 60,000 active racehorses in Latin America
Over 70% of racehorses in the U.S. are trained on less than 10 acres
The average speed of a thoroughbred during a race is around 37 miles per hour
In 2023, the total number of racehorses in training in France was approximately 8,000
The average lifespan of a racehorse is about 25-30 years, but racing careers typically last around 4-5 years
The proportion of racehorses that are geldings is about 65%
The percentage of international racehorses imported into the U.S. has increased by 10% over five years
The number of racehorses training in Ireland exceeds 10,000
Around 40% of racehorses in the UK are purchased through private sales rather than auctions
The number of international racehorses traveling for competitions has grown by 20% over the past five years
The global breeding stock for racehorses exceeds 50,000 animals

Racehorse Population and Infrastructure Interpretation

While the US boasts roughly 11,000 active racehorses—dominated by young, speedy Thoroughbreds racing at 37 mph—a nuanced global scene emerges with increasing international imports, a 65% gelding majority, and a carefully balanced safety record, all underscoring racing’s relentless pursuit of speed, stability, and worldwide appeal—though beneath the gleam lies a delicate interplay of tradition, economics, and animal welfare.