Horse racing contests are still fairly popular, but its level of popularity depends on the region and how you define "popular"—whether in terms of viewership, betting volume, cultural relevance, or attendance. Here's a quick breakdown:

🔥 Globally Popular Spots
  • UK & Ireland: Huge cultural tradition. Events like the Grand National and Royal Ascot are major national occasions.
  • USA: Still big, especially around marquee events like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes (aka the Triple Crown). That said, it’s not as mainstream as it used to be.
  • Australia: Major following, especially for events like the Melbourne Cup—which they call “the race that stops a nation.”
  • Japan: Enormously popular with high attendance and betting. Horses like Deep Impact are literal legends.
  • Middle East (e.g., Dubai): Big investment and prestige, especially with high-stakes races like the Dubai World Cup.

📉 Trends
  • Declining in some places: In the U.S., horse racing has seen a gradual decline in casual viewership, particularly among younger audiences.
  • Still strong in betting: Globally, horse racing remains one of the biggest betting sports, which helps keep it financially viable.
  • Animal welfare concerns have also led to more scrutiny and debate, especially in countries like the U.S.

📺 Media & Pop Culture
  • Not as front-and-center in mainstream media these days, but it still gets coverage during big events.
  • Movies like Seabiscuit and Secretariat revived some public interest.

Would you say you're asking from a cultural interest point of view, a sports betting angle, or something else? I can tailor it more based on what you're curious about.