In 2025, there aren’t too many sports that haven’t received the video game treatment. From the huge FIFA, NBA 2K, and Madden NFL franchises to the pugilistic delights of Undisputed and EA’s take on the UFC, many gaming fans like nothing better than settling into the virtual realm of their favourite sporting pursuit.
If Soccer, Basketball, American Football, Boxing, Golf, or Tennis float your sporting boat, you aren’t short of options. But what about those who prefer sporting stars of the four-legged variety? Are there any good horse racing games out there?
It turns out that there are. Whilst not enjoying anything like the type of mainstream success as the Fifa’s and NBA 2K’s of this world, the following are well worth checking out for racing fans taking a little break from assessing the very best free bets UK players can take advantage of.
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Gallop Racer Series (PlayStation, PlayStation 2)
Best For: Players who want an in-depth horse racing simulation.
Gallop Racer, developed by sports gaming experts Tecmo, is one of the most beloved horse racing video game series. With multiple entries, including Gallop Racer 2003 and Gallop Racer 2006, the series offers realistic horse racing mechanics, breeding features, and career modes that allow players to build their own stable.
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Champion Jockey: G1 Jockey & Gallop Racer (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Best For: Motion controls and immersive jockey experience.
G1 Jockey and Gallop Racer are two of the most iconic racing franchises – Champion Jockey combines many of the best bits of both. If a realistic riding experience, complete with motion controls for the Wii and PlayStation Move, is your goal, we suggest making this title your first port of call.
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Derby Owners Club (Arcade, PC)
Best For: Multiplayer and competitive horse breeding.
Away from the action on the track, many horse racing fans enjoy delving into the breeding of the equine stars. Identifying the leading sires and profitable pedigrees is all part of the appeal. In Sega’s Derby Owners Club, you can train, breed, and race your runners in a competitive online environment. Initially an arcade classic, the game became a smash hit in North America and Japan.
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Winning Post Series (PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch)
Best For: Deep strategy and management.
Another entry from Tecmo, the Winning Post series is the thinking man’s horse racing game. Whereas Gallop Racer brings a thrilling racing simulation, this long-running series delves more deeply into the training and breeding elements and provides a more realistic experience of the racing industry as a whole.
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Rival Stars Horse Racing (PC, Mobile, PlayStation, Xbox)
Best For: Stunning graphics and accessible gameplay.
As one of the newer entries on our list, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Rival Stars Horse Racing is one of the best-looking horse racing games ever created. Away from the beautiful graphics, you can expect engaging storyline elements, solid simulations, and breeding and training features. For those looking to take their game with them, Rival Stars Horse Racing is also available to play on mobile.
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Starters Orders Series (PC, Mobile)
Best For: Realistic horse racing simulation.
Starters Orders scores top marks for authenticity, with this PC and Mobile title featuring real-world racecourses and impressively detailed simulation elements. Manage your own stable, become a jockey, or even head to the betting ring in this nicely varied addition to the horse racing gaming field.
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G1 Jockey Series (PlayStation 2, Wii)
Best For: Realistic jockey simulation and controls.
For those who don’t want to worry about the finer workings of the sport and simply want to ride a horse, this series provides one of the best jockey experiences. Just as with the flesh and blood riders, you must balance timing, stamina preservation, and positioning if you are to come out on top. For the most immersive experience, we recommend tracking down the Wii version, as this game is an excellent fit for the motion control system.
