Horse racing tracks in different parts of the world reflect the history of racing in the region. Since it is a form of gambling and gambling often has shady associations, if a horse racing track is to prosper it must have the support of the community and so venues are more than just unadorned tracks where horses race against each other.

Horse racing, in its modern form, has its roots in Europe and this is where you will find some of the oldest horse racing tracks, many with long histories and traditions attached to them. England is the home of horse racing and the sport has a prominent place in local culture and races like Ascot are as much social actions as races. Since of the interest that British royalty has taken in horse racing, it became known as the “Sport of Kings” and many of the racing tracks in the country are gathering places for the rich and well-known.

In the U.S., while gambling is huge business, horse racing tracks are also seen as places of general entertainment for the whole family. While serious gamblers flock to the races, they are also places for a family day trip and most horse racing tracks in the country have nearly carnival like atmospheres with a range of entertainment to keep children and adults who are not attracted in the races occupied. Everything from video screens, a range of eating options, video games arcades, and even other forms of gambling make American horse racing tracks places where the family can dissipate a day.

While the U.S. and Europe are the traditional homes of horse racing, new venues like Dubai have made a splash over the last few years. With the vast riches at its disposal Dubai has made one of the most opulent horse racing tracks in the world which has become a place where not only are colossal amounts bet, but also an vital stop on the international party circuit.

Although these new horse racing tracks do not have either reputations or tradition behind them, the sheer opulence of the venues and the purses on offer means that they are able to attract the best horses and jockeys so the racing standards are among the highest in the world. Not to be left behind, horse racing tracks in Asia are also upgrading themselves and using their money and the new technologies that the region comes out with to make race tracks with cutting edge facilities to attract a larger part of the revenues that horse racing generates internationally.

But no amount of money and technology can make a fantastic horse racing track unless the racing conditions – the length of the straights, the number and nature of the bends and the track surface etc. are such that they encourage excellent racing.