Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world, but it has been struggling in the past decade or two. What has been a prestigious sport with tons of money and class involved in it has been quietly losing its popularity for a couple of reasons.
First of all, we have the change of generations, where young people are not really familiar with horse racing, and they simply don’t watch horse races anymore.
So, does this mean that the thousand-year-old sport will soon be a thing of the past? Well, not really. Horse racing is not going anywhere, and in fact, it has managed to make a comeback in streaming.
Have you noticed how there are more horse racing movies, documentaries, podcasts, radio shows, and blogs? Well, there is a reason for that. Horse racing is becoming relevant again, and that’s good news for all equine enthusiasts.
In today’s article, we’ve decided to take a look at horse racing as a form of entertainment in streaming and the TV industry and find out how the sport is making a huge comeback.
Why Horses Still Work (Even in the Age of Sci-Fi and Superheroes)
First of all, we have to point out that over the last couple of years we’ve lost our touch with nature. Technology is here the one to blame, and this nature-connected feeling is more important for humans than ever before.
This is why so many people go back to the essentials. Clarkson’s Farm (a show about farming) is booming, people are watching Animal shows, and horses lead this change since we have the horse racing industry.
But why are horses so big in movies nowadays? Well, first of all, they don’t need CGI. They don’t need capes or multiverse logic. They only need some space to run, and a camera or a drone to capture the movement.
And let me tell you, watching a horse run in nature is the most relaxing thing you’ll ever see. You won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen. There is that timeless beauty to a horse galloping through open countryside that, for whatever reason, sparks deep emotions.
Basically, it is a kind of storytelling that doesn’t rely on explosions or plot twists, but on a connection. So, in a world full of over-engineered shows, CGI, and special effects, it is refreshing to see a simple horse gallop.
It’s Not Just Nostalgia—These Are Grown-Up Stories
This new wave of horse-themed shows isn’t targeted at pony-loving preteens. It’s for adults who want rich storytelling with big emotion and even bigger stakes.
There’s no sugarcoating here—just real stakes, complex characters, and yes, the occasional breathtaking gallop.
Horses have always been our most loyal companions, and there are many impressive stories that still haven’t been highlighted with a movie or series.
The Rise of Race for the Crown on Netflix
Let’s start with the show that’s leading the charge.
Race for the Crown is one of the best horse racing documentaries ever released. It comes from the same team behind Drive to Survive (you know, the series that made F1 cool again), and they are on a quest to do the same with horse racing following the three Triple Crown races.
It is a stunning show that will be appealing even to non-horse racing fans or people who have never heard about horse racing.
This six-part docuseries digs deep into the high-stakes world of American Thoroughbred horse racing. Think the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont—aka the Triple Crown.
But Race for the Crown doesn’t just film horses running in circles. It pulls you behind the velvet curtain, giving you full access to jockeys, owners, trainers, and even the business tycoons running multi-million-dollar stables. People like Frankie Dettori (shockingly filed for bankruptcy), Brian Hernandez Jr., and Katie Davis aren’t just name-drops—they’re central characters in a story that’s part sport, part legacy, and all heart.
It’s smart, dramatic, and undeniably binge-worthy. Oh—and it’s currently racking up serious streaming numbers.
Betting Culture Is Sliding Into Frame (Subtly)
Something interesting is happening alongside all this storytelling: viewers are getting curious about how the horse racing world actually works—especially the betting side.
And that curiosity is translating into real clicks.
Websites like TwinSpires are getting fresh attention from viewers who just watched an on-screen trainer hedge everything on a longshot.
People are learning about things like the superfecta bet, where you try to predict the first four horses in the exact finishing order. It’s risky, sure—but if it hits, the payout is huge. You can check more information about this here: twinspires.com/edge/racing/betting-info/horse-racing/superfecta-bet/
What used to be an intimidating world of odds and jargon is suddenly exciting, thanks to shows that break down the emotions behind every gamble.
Why Now?
Well, it is a mix of things, really. People are burned out from over-the-top TV and are craving more emotional realism. Streaming platforms are desperate for something new and original, and audiences always want to explore new topics, making horses an obvious choice.
One thing is for sure, it is a good time to be a hore racing fan with all the action going on in the industry.
We just hope it continues at the same pace.
