Melbourne Cup Enters the Metaverse in Historic Deal with Digital Horse Racing Platform

First run in 1861, the Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous annual thoroughbred horse race, garnering an estimated viewership of 750 million people worldwide. Next week’s race will see the coming together of the old and new worlds following a deal between the Victoria Racing Club and local digital horse racing platform ZED RUN.

Horse Racing in the Metaverse

ZED RUN is a futuristic horse racing game built on the blockchain, where thousands of stable owners participate in more than 1,500 live races a day which are broadcast 24/7 to millions.

In July this year, Crypto News Australia reported that Australian-based digital horse racing start-up, Zed Run, had raised over US$20 million to “build the future of virtual entertainment“. Since then, the company has grown in leaps and bounds.

‘The Race That Stops a Nation’

Following its recent success in raising funds, ZED RUN is now joining forces with the Victoria Racing Club, the custodians of the Melbourne Cup carnival, where their famous Flemington racetrack will be featured on the blockchain. In celebration, there will be a virtual event at ZEN RUN HQ , held in the metaverse.

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Think of it as a watch party, but instead of attending in person, attendees transport themselves to a virtual land called the ‘metaverse’ where they can gather together and enjoy the festivities.

Melbourne Cup ZED RUN

In the metaverse, users will have everything provided, from musical entertainment and livestreaming of the event to free ‘fashion in the metaverse’ and Birdcage-esque attire giveaways that attendees will be able to wear. Attendees can also, if they so choose, buy additional custom-made avatar wearables to further impress at the carnival party.

Metaverse carnival schedule. Source: Melbourne Cup ZED RUN

NFT Auction From October 30 

A rare collection of 10 nostalgic NFTs will become available by auction from October 30 to November 4. Some of the more valuable NFTs will include the most legendary races, together with real-world experiences. In addition, all 10 NFTs will include a pair of tickets to the 2022 Melbourne Cup and one Victoria Racing Club VIP experience.

Jana Serfontein
Author

Jana Serfontein

Jana has keen interest in what cryptocurrencies have to offer in regards to NGO’s, governments and the financial system. And is also intrigued with the psychological effect that cryptocurrencies have on society.

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