Horse racing games aren’t the biggest part of the sports gaming world, but the best ones can still hook you hard with deep management systems, good racing mechanics, or just surprisingly immersive jockeying. Whether you’re into breeding the perfect horse, managing a stable, or just watching your digital steed sprint toward the finish line, there’s a game for it.
We’ve put together a list of the best horse racing games to play right now, across platforms like PC, PlayStation, and even mobile. These are the titles our team has recently tested or gotten stuck into. Some are new, some are a bit older, but all still hold up.
How We Picked These Games
We focused on three things:
- Are they fun and actively played in 2025?
- Do they bring something fresh to the horse racing genre?
- Would we genuinely recommend them to other players?
Let’s dive into the top picks.
1. Winning Post 10
Platform: PC, PS5 (Japan only)
Released: March 2025
This long-running Japanese sim series nails the balance between racing and stable management. You’ll manage jockeys, breed champions, and plot decades-long racing dynasties. The game feels deeper than most Western sports sims, with impressive AI rivalries and detailed bloodline stats.
The downside? It’s still only in Japanese, which limits accessibility. But fans of management-heavy gameplay have still found ways to enjoy it with guides or partial translations.
2. Phar Lap: Horse Racing Challenge
Platform: PC, PS4/PS5 (via BC)
Don’t expect RDR2 levels of realism here, but Phar Lap balances sim and arcade vibes pretty well. You can own, train, and race horses, while the racing itself is clean and easy to pick up. It has basic betting mechanics, enough depth to stay interesting, and it looks decent even today.
It’s probably the most balanced, complete package available for consoles right now.
3. Rival Stars Horse Racing
Platform: PC, PS4/PS5, Mobile
Originally a mobile title, Rival Stars has grown into one of the most polished and complete horse racing games available today. It has a story mode, breeding system, cross-country events, and great visuals. Plus, it gets frequent updates and events.
Accessible enough for casual players, but with enough depth in the breeding and progression systems for those who want to dig in.
4. Horse Racing Manager 2023
Platform: PC
This one is all about strategy and management. No live racing here. Instead, you’re running a business—training horses, hiring staff, betting smart, and optimizing your lineup.
It has a Football Manager vibe but for horse racing. If you love micromanagement and spreadsheets more than button-mashing, this is a strong pick.
5. G1 Jockey 4 2007 (Still Worth Playing)
Platform: PS2, PS3 (via emulation)
Yes, it’s old. But it’s still one of the most complete jockey simulators ever made. The control system actually mimics real-world riding techniques and balance, giving a physical feel to races you don’t usually get in modern sims.
It’s not easy to find today, but fans still fire it up via emulation for good reason.
6. Starters Orders 7
Platform: PC
Massive in scope. This sim dives deeper into race programming, breeding, track conditions, and global events than almost any other game. It’s like a sandbox for horse racing nerds. The visuals are functional at best, but the simulation depth makes up for it.
Mod support and active forums keep it fresh.
7. Derby Owners Club (Arcade)
Platform: Arcade (some emulated versions online)
SEGA’s arcade management/racing hybrid still holds up surprisingly well. It blends mini-game training with race-day tension and has a collect-and-train loop that felt years ahead of its time.
If you can find a working version or emulator, it’s worth the retro dive.
8. Photo Finish Horse Racing
Platform: Mobile (iOS/Android)
This mobile game keeps things simple: you train horses, enter races, and work your way up the ranks. The monetization isn’t too aggressive, and the races are short and satisfying. Good for quick plays.
More arcade than sim, but with surprising polish and a healthy player base.
9. My Horse Stories
Platform: Mobile
Story-driven, casual, and colorful. You’re a teenage rider training at your grandpa’s ranch while unraveling a light romance plot. Think more equestrian farm sim than competitive racing, but it finds an audience by combining riding mechanics with a visual novel format.
Definitely targeted toward a younger crowd, but solidly made.
10. Red Dead Redemption 2 (Honorable Mention)
Platform: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox
Not a horse racing game in the traditional sense, but RDR2’s horse mechanics are still some of the best ever made. The bond system, realistic animations, terrain physics—everything just feels right.
Plenty of players have made their own informal races online, and if you want to just enjoy a good ride across beautiful landscapes, this is your best option.
Final Thoughts
Horse racing games are still a niche, but the ones that get it right offer something unique—a blend of tactics, training, and adrenaline. Whether you’re here for management, casual fun, or gritty simulation, there’s something on this list that should hit the spot.
Which one are you trying out first? And, curious how real-world horse racing bets work behind the scenes? You can dig deeper into the basics right here twinspires.com/edge/racing/betting-info/horse-racing/place-bet/.
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