Of all the difficult-to-perfect genres in video games, horse racing is up there as one of the hardest of the bunch to create a format that engages even the hardiest fans of the sport.
Many developers have tried and failed to make a format that keeps player interest, whether it’s one that simulates the breeding side of the game or another that focuses on the racing aspects.
Horse racing appears to have something of a niche audience among gamers, with many fans tending to hail from the older generation, who don’t tend to be avid gamers.
Here, we take a look at some of the finest examples who came closest to perfecting the genre, along with a horse racing betting website to help those with an interest in wagering on the sport.
Starters Orders 7 (2018 – PC/Steam)
Starters Orders is one of the longest-running series in the field of horse racing, and the seventh instalment (released in December 2018) remains the most recent entry available.
One of the major reasons Starters Orders has garnered so much success in its field is its all encompassing story, covering every aspect from breeding to training to racing.
Starters Orders 7 is available via PC (and also through Steam) and features a 3D Oculus Rift mode for those who want to get a more hands-on approach with their steeds.
Gallop Racer 2006 (2005 – PS/PS2/PC)
One of the most advanced horse racing games ever created in terms of its intricacies when it comes to the riding experience, one would struggle to find a horse racing game fan who hasn’t heard of Gallop Racer.
A 2006 reboot of the hit first released all the way back in 1996, this edition of the game arguably got the concoction just right (even though there have been more recent releases since).
Gallop Racer brought the horse racing video game forward significantly, helped on by a love of horse racing in Japan, with extra detail placed on how to become a top jockey.
Rival Stars Horse Racing (2020 – PC/Android)
Still a relatively new entry among the genre, 2020 release Rival Stars Horse Racing has made a big impact in a short space of time among PC and Android players.
Raise your own stable of horses, compete at tracks inspired by some of the world’s most famous courses and earn rewards to level up your facilities to hopefully produce champion contenders.
The one notable draw-back for Rival Stars Horse Racing is that it can be difficult to make progress without investing real money via purchases.
Phar Lap – Horse Racing Challenge (2019 – Xbox/PS4/Nintendo Switch)
Available for most major video games consoles, Phar Lap – Horse Racing Challenge focuses more heavily on the racing dimensions than the other factors such as breeding and training.
The cinematic graphics enhance the racing experience to make this one of the most visually attractive entries in our list, if not the leader of its field in that regard.
The genetic breeding system ensures that side of the sport isn’t completely ignored, but the online gameplay, ability to place bets and compete against friends means the racing is where the real action is at.