There aren’t many good horse racing games, at least not as many as other genres like RPGs or FPS games. Why? Although horse racing is a global sport with billions of fans, the majority of the fans are older and not really interested in video games.
This means that horse racing game developers are targeting a niche market, where the profit margins are small. This explains why they don’t invest a lot of money in horse racing games.
However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any good horse racing games that have come out throughout the years. Some of them actually managed to capture the feeling of riding a horse in a high-stakes race, and most importantly, they allowed us to make our dream of owning a horse become true.
Gallop Racer
We start off with a classic horse racing video game series that practically laid the foundation of horse racing games. We are talking about Gallop Racer, a classic horse racing game that was released on PlayStation in 1996.
Yes, the graphics are sloppy, and you won’t get that realistic feeling, but it is still a fun game. Gallop Racer is a game born in Japan, it is less about realistic graphics, and more about nailing the ride. You are in control of many things during a race, such as whip timing, lane switches, and stamina management, which makes it a game based on skill.
Over the years, Gallop Racer has evolved and by 2006 the game had significantly better graphics.
Sadly, they discontinued the series, but for one reason, Temco (the publishers) transitioned to a different name, and they are still releasing horse racing games that we will cover next.
Winning Post
Winning Post 10 is another older title that started way back in 1993, but it is still active to this day. It is a game developed by Koei Tecmo, and this is the longest-running horse racing video game series in the world.
But let’s focus on their latest games like Winning Post 10 2025, which is set to release in a week or two on 27 March 2025. This will be the most detailed, realistic, and entertaining horse racing video game on the market.
Their latest edition from last year had incredibly detailed 3D graphics, yes they might not be as good as Red Dead Redemption 2, but still good enough for a horse racing game.
Additionally, there are many different playing modes, in which you can experience what it is like to become a racehorse owner, train, breed, and manage your finances. This is basically a mirror image of the horse racing industry.
However, there is one issue with this game. Since it is developed by Koei Tecmo and it is targeted for the Asian Market, the game comes in Japanese. Over the years, they’ve also released English versions of their games, but sadly, their last game in 2024 came out only for the Japanese market.
Rival Stars Horse Racing
Launched in 2019, Rival Stars Horse Racing storms the mobile scene—by 2025, it’s a multi-platform beast on PC and consoles too.
You inherit a rickety ranch, then build it into a powerhouse: breed a colt from a 43-mph dam, train it to leap fences and race it on lush courses—think rolling hills or neon-lit night tracks. The visuals pop—manes ripple at 60 frames per second—and the career mode hooks you with rivalries and upgrades (new barn, better jockey).
Sure, the freemium nudges (pay to skip a cooldown) irk some, but the core’s a blast: a 1:58 upset in a steeplechase feels like your own Derby win. It’s every man’s champ—accessible yet rich, dominating 2025’s casual crowd.
Although the game doesn’t feature any official races like the Kentucky Derby, it is still good enough for some warm-up races before the official Kentucky Derby results.
Phar Lap: Horse Racing Challenge
From 2019, Phar Lap: Horse Racing Challenge storms consoles—PS4, Xbox, Switch—bringing cinematic races that rival a Hollywood epic.
Named for the 1930s Aussie legend (39 wins in 51 starts), it’s all about the thrill: you’re in the saddle, dirt flying, nudging a filly past the pack in a 1.25-mile nail-biter.
The graphics gleam—horses sweat, crowds cheer in HD—and betting adds spice (wager on your mate’s nag, watch him choke). Breeding’s lighter here—just enough to tweak a bloodline—but the racing’s king: tight controls, real-time odds, a photo finish at 38 mph.
If you ask me, this is the best horse racing game ever made just because it targets both casual and die-hard horse racing fans. Plus, the graphics are good enough and the game has many different playing modes.
Starters Orders
Since 2003, Starters Orders—hitting 7 by 2018—has been the indie darling, crafted by one coder with a love for the turf. It’s not pretty—think 2D sprites over 3D flair—but it’s a beast: breed a mare with a quirky gait, train her through sprains (she’s out six weeks if you push too hard), and race her on 50 global tracks, from Ascot’s mud to Santa Anita’s sun.
Every horse has DNA—speed peaks, injury odds—and races play out with AI jockeys who might botch a frontrunner by stalking. The 2025 crowd still swears by it, and the best thing is that it is playable on your browser, as well as on your mobile phone.
Which one you think about playing?
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