Horse racing and sci-fi are two extremely popular subcultures for many people worldwide. However, have you noticed that they are two things that aren’t quite mashed together?
It seems strange not to have seen both intertwined, especially as it could be a great way to attract a different type of audience to the other. Indeed, there are some instances whereby you might have seen a slight crossover between the two from the point of view of horse racing.
If you’ve ever engaged in watching the sport or even in the betting side of it, you may have noticed horses with sci-fi names. If you place a yankee bet after learning what it is and how it can impact the prizes that can be returned, you may have seen a horse with a name related to the movie genre. This perhaps goes to show just how popular it is with horse owners.
Of course, the term ‘Yankee’ might not be something everyone knows. It’s a bit like asking questions like ‘what does SP mean in horse racing?’ as it’s not a term that everybody will understand. As with all questions that may have to be asked, answers can make them more popular once they are known.
Horses have been used in sci-fi
As mentioned, the sport isn’t all that evident within sci-fi. However, it’s possible to see other aspects within the movie’s genre that can be argued to be loosely linked to the popular sporting event.
In many of the films to have been released, there have been instances whereby movie directors have added a futuristic racing event within their flicks. There have been other instances where they have looked to include horses as one of the main animals.
The creature has been used as a way of portraying a hero, with Battlestar Galactica featuring a mechanical horse known as Silver. Mr.Ed was designed to be a sidekick, as the horse was able to communicate. They have also been used them as villains and as a means of providing a message. The 2011 film "War Horse" is a good example of the latter, as it is used as a symbol to bring hope while highlighting how close the connection is between them and people.
Could horse racing work in sci-fi?
Perhaps not considered futuristic and befitting of the sci-fi genre, involving horse racing could still work. Racing has been a very popular theme within this movie niche. The scenes that have been created have been able to build suspense, and tension, and create excitement.
Moviemakers may look to be more imaginative with their racing, especially as they have technologies available. They can use CGI to create mutants and other-worldly beasts that can be used, which can bring an element of science fiction to life.
That’s not to say horses couldn’t be used. With the themes of sci-fi essentially able to push boundaries and being all about imagination, it could be possible to incorporate the sporting event in a way that is a little more inventive.
Perhaps if they did, it might attract a new type of audience, thus helping the movie genre to potentially grow further.
