Building the Ultimate Minecraft Horse Racing Track: Step-by-Step Guide

The thing we all love about Minecraft is the game’s unlimited creative possibilities that allow players to recreate incredible real-world things in the game.

But if you are not into Stranger Things or Zelda, maybe you’ve wondered how to make an exciting horse racing track.

Think about it. Horse racing is an exciting sport, and horses in Minecraft all have different stats, which means racing will be fun and unpredictable, just like in the real world.

But is it difficult to create a horse racing track in Minecraft? Well, not really. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Choosing the Right Location Before You Build Anything

The location plays an important role for your racetrack. Picking the right location can make your job much easier.

So, make sure you choose a flat terrain, especially for your first serious track. You should consider the plains or the savanna biomes, which work great because they are quite open and easy to shape.

Next, you’d want enough space not just for the track itself, but also for a grandstand, stables, and some breathing room so it doesn’t feel cramped.

For a decent track, you can start and level an area around 120 blocks long and about 80 blocks wide.

That might sound huge, but once the oval, grandstand, and stables are in place, it fills up quickly.

Try to avoid steep hills unless you’re intentionally designing elevation changes, because horses can lose speed uphill. You also have to think about the horses.

As they come with different stats like speed, health, and jump, you have to pick only the fastest ones.

It’s just like betting on horse racing, when you analyze the horses and place a bet on the one with the biggest potential.

Maybe learning about betting on horses and types of bets can help you pick the right horses in Minecraft.

Here is an in-depth guide on how betting works and detailed explanations on each bet type: https://www.twinspires.com/edge/racing/betting-info/horse-racing/ 

Designing a Track That Feels Good to Ride

A horse racing track can be flat (straight) or an oval shape. You can also design your own horse racing track shape, but if you want to stick to the original, it is best to go for the classic oval shape.

So, how big should it be? Well, a comfortable track width is about six to eight blocks. Anything narrower and horses will be bumping into each other.

It’s a good idea to lay the outline of the oval shape with temporary materials like wool, then you can ride it on a horse, just to get the 

Choosing the Right Blocks for the Track Surface

Let’s talk about the types of materials you should use. Using a single block makes the track appear flat and artificial. Remember, we want to bring it to life.

So, we suggest starting with coarse dirt, which works well as a base because it resembles packed earth. Then, you can also use path blocks to show worn racing lines where horses usually pass.

You can also add a little gravel near the edges or on turns, which will bring it to life. Outside of the track, you can add grass blocks.

You should avoid blocks that slow players down, unless you want to make the track even more exciting and add hidden traps and challenge sections. Then you can use honey blocks, slime blocks, and deep snow just to make it more fun.

Creating a Starting Line 

Another important aspect of a horse racing track is the starting line. This is where everyone lines up and waits for the signal. Visually, it should stand out from the rest of the track.

You can either do a simple starting line with smooth stone or polished andesite for the ground, with a simple stripe of white concrete or quartz to make it come to life.

To go a step further, you can build a wooden gate for 10-12 horses that opens manually with a door.

Building a Grandstand

Even if you don’t have people watching the race, building a grandstand will make your track more realistic. It gives the track scale and atmosphere. Start with a solid foundation using stone bricks or deepslate bricks.

These blocks feel structural and look like they are actually holding the weight.

Now, build stepped rows, with each row one block higher than the one in front. Slabs work better than full blocks because they look like benches rather than stairs.

Railings are also important, both visually and logistically. So, go for iron bars if you want a modern look or fences for countryside builds.

Adding a Roof to the Grandstand

Okay, the roof might not be required, but it changes everything. Covered grandstands feel more realistic, plus you can add lights on the roof to make it functional at night.

You can build a shallow-sloped roof from dark oak or stone bricks. Support the roof with log pillars every few blocks.

Make it as big as you want, but don’t make it bigger than the actual track. If you have patience, you can make an oval grandstand that surrounds the track, which will make it look like the Colosseum.

Final Things

The last few details will bring your Minecraft track to life. You can add a stable nearby where horses will chill.

You can also add lights to make the track visible at night, or maybe obstacles that the horse can jump over during a race.

Remember, you are in charge of this race, and you should stick to the original layout, but don’t be afraid to add your own ideas into the mix.