Online Horse Racing Game

If you've ever dreamed of owning a racehorse, but found it all a bit too expensive, virtual horse racing is just what you've been waiting for.

Through the power of the Internet the "Sport of Kings" has entered a new era where you can experience the excitement of owning, training and hopefully watching your own virtual horse race to victory.

The two main virtual horse racing sites are Raceclubs and Digiturf. Originally they were setup by two separate companies, but both used the same technology, so it made sense for the two companies to merge.

They're still run as separate web sites with Raceclubs having a more UK feel, with championship races such as the Derby, Oaks, Queen Elizabeth and King George classics. While Digiturf adopts a US feel with the Saratoga Sprint, Kentucky Derby, Old Triple Crown Classic and Arlington Gold Cup.

To make things easier we'll just refer to Raceclubs throughout this site. However the game play is essentially the same, as is the prize money, cost of purchasing a horse and tack products, so the majority will also apply to Digiturf.

What Is Virtual Horse Racing

You are in charge of your own virtual horse racing stable. You can own just one virtual race horse, or you could buy hundreds. It depends on how much time you've got to play the game and money to spend.

You design your own racing silks, which the jockey will wear whenever one of your horses race.

Each virtual horse has it's own unique pedigree. You use time trials to get your horse fit and, assess it's ability. Find out if it prefers racing over longer distances or sprints and whether it prefers running on a dirt track or turf.

There are also a number of products you can apply to your horse to enhance it's performance. You can get alumites (racing shoes), blinkers and vitamins to make it run faster and if you have a colt you may find gelding it concentrates it's mind on racing.

You nominate your horses to race against horses trained by other owners.

Races are viewed using an enhanced race viewer, which provides excellent graphics of the horses racing.

The racing may be virtual, but the prize money is for real. The top horse on Raceclubs has won over £13,000.

Raceclubs has no vested interest in the outcome of races. The software and race results are audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, so you can rest assured race results are totally legitimate.

Raceclubs is now in it's 24th season of virtual horse racing (each season lasts 4 months). There is over US$500,000 in sponsored stakes this season.

Get Your First Virtual Horse Free

When you register as a new member on Raceclubs you receive your first horse Free. See Get A Free Virtual Race Horse. You can train the horse and enter it into special Free Newbie races.

Raceclubs then offer two great bonus packages to new customers for 30 days from the date of joining. With their Royal package; deposit $80 (£54.40) and receive $168 (£114.24) value or their Derby package; deposit $40 (£27.20) and receive $72 (£48.96) value. These offers include free horses and more to help you get started in the racing community.

Digiturf offer similar bonus packages for new members to sign up and start a free stable. You can select their Gold Stable Kit (deposit $60, get $140 value) or Silver (deposit $30, get $60 value) within the first 30 days of joining, which includes free horses and more to assist you getting on track.

* The bonus figures quoted above were correct at the time the review. With exchange rate fluctuations between the UK£ and US$ these are likely to change. Please see the Raceclubs web site for up-to-date bonus amounts.

Visit Raceclubs to become a virtual race horse owner and next time it may be your horse celebrating in the winners enclosure.

The jockey celebrates victory
in the Racing-Index colours