Buzz
Archaeological evidence reveals that horse racing dates back to ancient civilizations. It was a prestigious event at the Greek Olympic Games, first held in 664 B.C. While the basic concept of the sport has remained relatively the same for millennia, we'll explore the top 10 global activities where animals race against one another—though none of these involve horses.
10. Greyhound Racing
This isn't about buses speeding along, but rather focuses on the sleek, tall, and elegant greyhound breed. Weighing between 50 to 80 pounds (22-36 kg), the greyhound holds the title of the fastest dog on Earth, reaching an impressive top speed of 45 miles per hour (70 km/h).
The organized practice of greyhound racing traces back to the coursing (hunting) of deer, hares, and foxes across the UK and Europe. Queen Elizabeth I of England is often credited with creating the sport in the 1500s, which is why greyhound coursing is often referred to as 'The Sport of Queens.'
The sport evolved into its modern form thanks to Owen Patrick Smith in 1912. Seeking to end the cruelty of greyhounds hunting jackrabbits, Smith invented the mechanical hare as a humane alternative. By 1919, he had opened the world's first greyhound racing track with a grandstand in Emeryville, California.
9. Dachshund Racing
The dachshund, also known as the wiener dog, was first raced for fun in Australia during the 1970s. A 1993 American beer commercial playfully referenced wiener dog racing as a potential comedy sport, sparking a surge in its popularity. Despite concerns over the dachshund's unique shape and vulnerability to back injuries, the sport continues to thrive due to its growing fanbase.
Every December, San Diego, California, plays host to the annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, where dachshunds race over 25 or 50 yards (22 or 45 meters) in a bid to claim the National Dachshund Racing Championship.
The sport gained lasting fame in 2007 with the release of 'Wiener Takes All,' a documentary, or 'dog-u-mentary,' that follows the professional journeys of five top canine racers and their human companions over three consecutive racing seasons.
8. Snail Racing
The World Snail Racing Championships have been held annually every July on the cricket field at Congham, Norfolk, UK, for over 25 years, featuring only the native European common garden snail (helix aspersa). It is strictly prohibited for giant foreign snails to participate in the competition.
The race's rules are wonderfully simple: since snails often resemble one another, each contestant must have a number painted or attached with a sticker to its shell for easy identification. The snails are placed at the center of a circle with a 13-inch (33 cm) radius, all facing outward. The official Snail Trainer then calls out, 'Ready. Steady. SLOW!' and the race begins. The winner is the first snail to cross the edge of the circle.
The world record of exactly two minutes was set by Archie The Snail in 1995. Before you go looking for the next record holder in your garden, keep in mind that this record can only be challenged during the official World Snail Racing Championship event, held annually.
7. Camel Racing
On the Arabian Peninsula, camel racing began as an informal, social activity, with spontaneous races dating back to the seventh century. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that camel racing became more structured, with governing bodies created to establish formal rules and regulations for the sport.
Camel racing is now recognized as a prestigious international sport, enjoying immense popularity in countries like India, Egypt, Australia, and especially in the Arab nations of the Middle East.
A racing camel can achieve speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (40 km/h), with races covering distances ranging from 2.5 to 6 miles (4 to 10 km).
Some of the most renowned and popular camel races, offering the largest prize pools, are currently held in Australia, particularly in Queensland. The 'Sheikh Zayed International Camel Endurance Race' boasts a prize of A$50,000 (US$37,000), while the annual 'Boulia Desert Sands' in Queensland has a total prize purse of A$25,000 (US$18,500).
6. Cockroach Racing
Cockroach racing originated in 1986 at the Story Bridge Hotel in Brisbane, Australia. Two elderly men were having a heated debate at the bar over which neighborhood hosted the fastest cockroaches. The disagreement was resolved the following day when each man brought a cockroach from their own area, and they held a race in a nearby parking lot. That day marked the birth of an annual event now known as 'The Australia Day Cockroach Races,' held every January 26 at the same hotel.
In the United States, the Pest Control Association of New Jersey organizes a well-known cockroach race every four years during its annual trade show, just before the Presidential election. The race aims to predict New Jersey's Democrat candidate, boasting an impressive 84 percent success rate in predicting the winner of the election.
5. Hamster Racing
The 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in rural UK led the government to impose emergency restrictions on animal movement. As a result, numerous horse racing events were canceled because trainers could not transport horses from stables to racecourses.
As sports betting profits began to plummet drastically, Blue Square, an online bookmaking company, took drastic measures to try and turn the tide. They launched the first hamster racing series, which many at the time considered either a desperate, cynical move or a stroke of creative brilliance.
Ed Pownall from Blue Square Bookmakers summed up the setup for the hamster races succinctly in a statement: 'We’ve been racing hamsters in tiny dragsters... you place an exercise wheel in the center of a 10-inch-long dragster... as they run on the wheel, it moves the dragster forward... it’s just been fun, giving people something to enjoy while they miss horse racing... the rodents race six at a time along a 30-foot track... so far, the fastest time is 38 seconds. On Friday, the winners of the week’s races will compete in a final showdown.'
4. Turtle Racing
Turtle racing in the U.S. dates back to 1902, when seven turtles were raced across a garden in Chicago, ridden by children. The Chicago Tribune famously dubbed it 'The strangest race ever run.' Longville, Minnesota has hosted turtle races since the 1950s, with the state legislature even naming it 'the turtle racing capital of the world.'
Some overly zealous turtle racers have been known to take extreme measures to speed up their turtles, even going so far as to introduce electric currents to stimulate their brains. This has led to widespread criticism from animal rights organizations, with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) being the most vocal. They have condemned numerous turtle races in Canada and even proposed rubber duck races as a more ethical alternative.
3. Goat Racing
Goat racing began in 1925 on the Caribbean island of Tobago. At the time, horse racing was considered an activity for the local elite, so Samuel Callender organized a goat race in the village of Buccoo the day after Easter. This event, known as 'Easter Tuesday,' became a popular and unofficial public holiday on the island.
The Buccoo Goat Race Festival, which attracts thousands of spectators each year, is the world’s longest-running goat racing event. Initially held on the village streets, the festival is now sponsored by the Tobago House of Assembly’s Department of Tourism and takes place at the $100 million Buccoo Integrated Facility, which includes a racing arena and stables.
The training process for racing goats spans at least two months, during which they gradually learn to walk faster until they are able to run in front of their trainer with a rope around their neck, just as they do on race day. With proper care, a racing goat can live up to thirteen years.
2. Ostrich Racing
Ostriches, the world's largest flightless birds, stand between seven to nine feet tall (2.1–2.8 meters). As the fastest runners among birds, they can sprint up to 43 miles per hour (69 km/h) and maintain a steady speed of 31 miles per hour (50 km/h) over long distances. Their stride spans 10 to 16 feet (three to five meters).
Ostrich races are common in South Africa, and similar events are held in the United States, where ostriches are ridden like horses with saddles and reins. The Ostrich Farm in Jacksonville, Florida, has hosted races since 1892. Additionally, the annual Ostrich Festival takes place in Chandler, Arizona, and similar competitions are regularly held in Iowa, Nevada, and Kentucky.
1. Sheep Racing
Australia, a country renowned for its vast sheep farming industry, is the proud host of one of the most famous sheep racing events in the world. The annual Booligal Sheep Races, which take place every October in New South Wales, have raised over A$150,000 (US$112,000) for various charities over the past 19 years.
Another key event in the sheep racing season is the Sheep Grand National. This competition takes place every year at Hoo Farm in Telford, Shropshire, UK, where competitors race across a 220-yard (200-meter) horseshoe-shaped course. The sixteen participants wear knitted coats and leap over hurdles, racing towards a food trough that serves as the finish line.
