The Jockey Club on Wednesday announced the launch of “Major League Horse
Racing,” an interactive game that combines the skill of fantasy sports and the
fun of social media with the excitement of horse racing, and “Thoroughbred
World,” a game focused on the breeding, owning and training aspects of the
sport.
Players can access both games through Facebook. Major League Horse Racing is
also available at
MajorLeagueHorseRacing.com, and there is an Apple iPad version of
Thoroughbred World coming soon.
Both games were developed as part of a wide-ranging fan development
initiative that was recommended in the comprehensive 2011 economic study of the
Thoroughbred industry, which was commissioned by The Jockey Club and conducted
by McKinsey & Company.
“These games complement our fan development strategy and will be heavily
promoted through our America’s Best Racing platform and our television
programming,” said Jason G. Wilson, The Jockey Club’s vice president of business
development. “Free-to-play online games have been successful in teaching
consumers how to play other games, such as online poker, and they attract fans.
“Social gaming has become a major entertainment platform, as evidenced by
FarmVille’s 85 million ‘farmers,’ 30 million of whom play daily,” he added. “A
game like Thoroughbred World that simulates the Thoroughbred owner experience
for casual and dedicated fans should build racing’s brand and relevance.”
In just over one week since its release, Major League Horse Racing has
attracted more than 1,200 players. Thoroughbred World has attracted 2,000
players since it was launched and promoted on August 16, 2012. (The game had
more than 20,000 players during beta testing in Asia this summer with virtually
no promotion.)
“If you love the thrill of the race and would like to experience handicapping
in a low-risk way, then the free-to-play Major League Horse Racing should appeal
to you,” Wilson said. “If you would rather spend time on the farm than at the
track, you will likely enjoy Thoroughbred World.”
In “Major League Horse Racing,” players will complete a race card each week,
assigning Game Bucks to the four horses they believe will outperform the field.
Additional Game Bucks can be earned through various social tasks on Facebook and
Twitter.
Each week’s highest scoring players will be eligible for prizes that will be
revealed throughout the season.
“Thoroughbred World” combines the best game-play elements of a simulated
world builder and a resource manager. Players create the ultimate racehorse in
custom training facilities, improving agility, balance, stamina and speed
through a series of mini-games.
Once their dream horse is prepared, players enter races against other players
to win in-game currency and other items.
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