Obihiro's Banei Keiba races, featuring slow-paced horse sleighs, draw new fans in Japan's Hokkaido.

In Obihiro, a city in northern Japan's Hokkaido, the Banei Keiba races have drawn new fans who enjoy the unpredictable stop-and-start drama of the world's slowest horse race. The muscular workhorses, moving at the pace of a brisk human walk, pull heavy sleighs in a tradition that dates back over a century. These races feature eight equine competitors that power over two mounds on the 200-meter track, taking breaks to catch their breath and creating suspense among spectators.

February 05, 2024
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