^{Horse Racing}

Australians, like all other many in the world, are enthusiasts of horse racing. For the record, Australia has a larger number of race courses compared to other countries of the world. In terms of the number of horses starting in races per year, Australia is second to US. While in terms of the amount of prize money dispersed each year, Australia is third to US and Japan. 

Horse racing is one of the favorite past times of Australians that there is roughly 12.5 billion Aussie dollars placed on wager with bookies per annum. Governing and managing horse races in the country is the Australian Racing Board. This body sets the rules for horse racing in Australia. Each Australian state’s principal racing authority consent to follow and enforce such rulings. By this, there is uniformity in all Australian horse races and a national calendar for horse races may be established.

Horse racing in Australia is not just a popular game. Aside from giving amusement and entertainment to bystanders and viewers, horse racing in itself is also an industry. It is a form of commerce that supplies employment, both full time and part time, to Australians. About 250,000 people are employed in 77,000 different corresponding jobs.
In Australia, one of the most widely-known type of horse racing is one that involves Thoroughbred Horses. As a matter of fact, Thoroughbred Horse racing is the third most watched spectator sport in the land down under. Australian football and rugby league were in the first and second places, respectively.

Thoroughbred horse races in Australia are categorized either as flat racing or over-the-fence race and hurdles such as in Victoria and South Australia states. Flat racing is done with set length or distance on a level track. In hurdles, the horse is required to jump over fences or obstacles. Thoroughbred racing of horses is especially watched all through the period of spring and autumn. Important horse races were during VRC oaks race meets, Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup. Other major races and attractions involving horse races are WS Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper Stakes.