all in Pop Culture

From an American perspective, horse racing and anime franchises sound like strange bedfellows. Their demographics could hardly be more disparate, with racing featuring a primarily older demographic, while anime generally appeals more to younger generations who usually aren’t into sports, let alone a niche sport like horse racing.

 Lexington, Ky. (Jan. 8, 2026) ─ The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters today announced the winners of the 2025 Media Eclipse Awards in six categories. Every entry must have been primarily published or aired for the first time between Nov. 16, 2024, and Nov. 14, 2025.

The 2025 Media Eclipse Award winners are as follows:

Live Television Programming – FOX Sports, “The Belmont Stakes,” Michael Mulvihill, President – Insight & Analytics, June 7, 2025

American racetracks have for decades dealt with the challenge of how to attract new fans. They have been extremely creative developing VIP experiences, boutique meets, and specialized fan days and events involving concerts, fashion, and themed experiences.

There is now a cultural phenomenon in Japan involving gaming, live music concerts, manga, and anime that is bringing thousands of new young fans into the sport.

To celebrate the season and reflect on the stories, heroes, indelible moments, and everyday joys of Thoroughbred racing, the team at America’s Best Racing offers a helpful holiday movie and TV viewing guide for horse racing aficionados. This was originally posted in December 2016 and has been updated.

Churchill Downs has revealed the official mint julep glass and “Art of the Kentucky Derby” for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve – both designed by Kentucky-native Grayson Reynolds.

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube