by Paige Cerulli

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2009

Buying for a horse-crazy person can be a daunting task, especially if the giver is not a horse-person themselves. Horse racing is another world entirely, but having a friend or loved one who is a fan of horse racing can actually make gift giving easier. It opens up a whole slew of possibilities for unique and thoughtful gifts. Being a horse racing fan myself, I've come up with a list to get you on the right track.

1. Racing Memorabilia

The racing industry puts out tons of merchandise and souvenirs that racing fans would likely love to have. Does this person have a favorite racehorse? Perhaps a book about that horse, or a T shirt or mug with their image on it would make a good gift. There are DVD's, magnets, calendars, stuffed animals - the list is endless. There are lots of potential gifts available through racetracks themselves. Collectibles can also be found on Ebay. Find out if the person is a fan of Thoroughbred racing, Quarter Horse racing, or any other kind of racing - chances are they'll be interested in the breed as well, so gifts centering on that breed would likely be appreciated.

2. A Visit to the Races

Perhaps you'd like to take the person out to the track for a day? (The Kentucky Derby is a dream of mine - I would be head over heels if I ever got to attend). Some racetracks offer special tours for fans, some of which are on horseback. If you search for nearby racetracks their websites will often have such information.

Buying a gift for a horse racing fan can actually be a lot of fun, and you can get very creative. The possibilities are endless - so have fun!

3. A Visit to a Breeding Barn... or Kentucky

Kentucky is a racing fan's Heaven - a trip there would definitely be enjoyed. Along with visiting a track, there are many breeding barns that offer tours and the chance to visit with some famous horses. It's definitely an idea to look into.

4. Think Outside the Box

I recently saw on Ebay that a framed photo of Secretariat was matted with a few strands of his hair and was available for purchase. Unique gifts such as this one can make great gifts. Sometimes the goggles that jockeys have worn in races go up for sale, or a horse's shoes. These keepsakes can mean a lot to a racing fan. Don't feel that you have to stay along the lines of typical gifts - a little creativity can make all the difference.

5. For Those With Money To Burn

Oftentimes, shares of racehorses are offered for sale. You have to do a little hunting to find these, but it truly would make a once in a lifetime gift for a racing fan. A certain number of shareholders buy a "piece" of a racehorse, oftentimes to offset the astronomical cost that these horses can bring.

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