Abstract: A method of conducting a racing event and a hybrid sporting event and game show based on the sporting event. Robotic jockeys are used to control racing animals, preferably miniature horses or Hackney ponies, in a racing event made up of one or more races. Players holding race cards that contain pairings of a race identification and an indicium identifying an animal in the corresponding race. The players may win individual races or the entire event or both, depending upon the outcome of the races, the content of the race cards held by the players, and other factors. The animal-identifying indicium borne by each animal may be selected by chance prior to each race. Race cards may be distributed in advance of the event, either at the racing facility where the event is held, at remote locations such as supermarkets, or both. The event may be broadcast live, and winners may be present at the event, or in the broadcast audience, or both.