>>723053970
That's huge part of it, and I think the reason why they wanted to get some of the big events from the New England area. The Jockey's Club is very, very old money and traditional and one of the reasons why live-cover only breeding is still allowed (no artificial insemination). Not to say Japan doesn't do the same but Uma Musume and many family-events helped bring in a revival they didn't ignore.
The other part that's unique to the US is animal-rights issues, and using that term loosely. This would require a 500 page essay, but on one side there's people willing to do anything to win with their horses, and on the other side there's people who want ZERO to do with animals (activists). Urara in Japan was VERY VERY VERY lucky to survive as long as she did. The horse I took care of was also a reject.
This is a long-term issue, but horse-anything was a tax-shelter until the 80s so there's less money flowing in and many of the old-heads got spoiled by having to run an actual business. Tracks, breeders, trainers, etc. got to use to free money and still are to an extent, going back to your rich men point. They could market things much better but they don't want to.
I just love seeing the horses and umas, and race tracks are one of the few ways a normal person (in the US) can see them unless you live in the boonies. That and it's very rare to see a horse go in full gallop even in the wild.
>>723053985
Would be neat. Western (cowboy) sports too. Reining and Dressage could be dancing umas. Jumping and cross country could be parkour gameplay. etc. etc. Ultimately, normies at least know about normal horse racing.
