Hamster Racing

Watch A Hamster Race Video

Hamster Racing

Believe it or not, Hamster racing goes back to the 1930's. Hamsters won't run in a straight line, but they do like to run alot. Pretty much the little guys ran all over the gaff in circular balls, so it was all a bit hit and miss.

Upon the advent of the plastic circle, some cleverclogs figured it would be a good idea to put hamsters in balls, place them on a fixed lane track, then let the hamsters run like the billio up and down housed in their running wheels for forward, and sometimes unfortuately, backward momentum. Watch this hamster race video to see exactly what I mean.

The most modern hamster race vehicles feature ratcheting mechanisms so that the hamster can only move forward down the track.

Until about 2001 hamster races were only amateur in nature, run for small bets between interested parties.

The United Kingdom changed that concept for wagering purposes, hence "professional hamster racing" was born.

Professional Hamster Racing
The advent of the foot and mouth disease epidemic in the UK, caused horse racing to be cancelled. The bookmakers obviously needed something to make a book on and price up, hamster racing was their answer. Professional hamster racing was in. Pro hamster racing soon crossed over to Asia and America apparently.

2 hamster race classes exist: Dwarfs and Syrians. Broken down into 4 groups, novice, patterned and long-hair or short-hair.

Not all hamster racing is of the professional variety. Amatuer hamster racing events can be found at various rodent shows, but don't conform to pro hamster racing tracks (9 metres, or 30 ft) apparently. The shorter "sprint" tracks are supposed to be designed to make sure all hamsters finish in a reasonable time. Fast hamsters are capable of winning sprint races in just a few seconds.

Hamster Race Handicapping (wiki explanation)
One problem that has limited the growth of professional hamster racing is the difficulty in handicapping, or attempting to predict the winner, of a hamster racing contest. As with horse racing, the handicapping of hamsters relies on observations of the speed, pace, form, and class of the animal. However, while many bettors believe themselves to be good horse handicappers, few know what to look for in hamster handicapping as they are unfamiliar with the species. This means that the large population of horse racing bettors are often unwilling to migrate to hamster racing because to do so would require either placing uninformed, pure-chance bets or learning to judge and handicap an entirely new animal.

Top 2006 Pro Hamster Racers
Michelle Schuhamster
Captain Hamster
The Overtaker
Hot Rodent
Mario Handretti
Stirling Mouse
Paddy Hamkirk
Sir Jack Brabhamster
Juan Manuel Hamgio
Emouseson Fittipaldi
Nigel Hamsell

Hamster Racing - by Ed Pownell from Blue Sq Bookmakers
"We've been running hamsters in these little dragsters,"

"You put an exercise wheel in the middle of a 10-inch-long dragster. As they run in the wheel it moves the thing forward."

"It's just been fun for people, to get them through the day without the horse racing,"

"The rodents run six at once along a 30-foot track -- so far, the fastest time is 38 seconds. On Friday, the winners of each of the week's four races will face one another in a tournament showdown."

Hamster Racing Links
♠ Hamster Racing Wiki Page

# Page Last Updated: Thurs Feb 13, 2025.

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It's true that hamster racing is a thing! It's not a huge, mainstream sport like horse racing, but it has a dedicated following, and you can even find hamster races at some fairs and festivals.

Origin: Hamster racing is believed to have originated in the UK in the 1980s.

How it works: Hamsters are placed in a circular track and encouraged to race by a variety of methods, including:

Food: A piece of food is placed at the finish line.

Sound: A noise or a toy that makes a sound can be placed at the finish line.

Visual Stimulation: A bright object or light can be used to attract the hamsters.



The races are usually short: A typical hamster race lasts only a few seconds, and the winners are often determined by a photo finish.

The hamsters are not forced to race: Ethical breeders and organizers prioritize the well-being of the hamsters. The races are usually short and the animals are never forced to participate.

It's about fun: Hamster racing is primarily a lighthearted activity designed to entertain audiences.

Hamster racing is not just in the UK: The sport has spread to other countries, including the USA and Australia.

There are even professional hamster racing leagues: The "Hammy Racing League" is a great example.


While not a mainstream sport, hamster racing is a fun and quirky activity that provides entertainment for audiences. It's important to ensure that the hamsters are treated well and that their safety and well-being are prioritized.

Blogger Sandracer @ 12:38 pm, September 28, 2024  


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