Horse racing is one of mankind's oldest sports. It was started by prehistoric tribesmen in Central Asia who, in 4500BC, domesticated wild horses. For thousands of years, it was known as the 'sport of kings'. Today it is so popular because it is a form of legalized gambling. The history of horse racing makes for interesting reading.
Horse racing is the next most popular spectator sport in the US after baseball. It is also has a huge following Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, South America, Australia, South Africa and Europe. Modern day horse races are competed over various distances with jockeys riding superb thoroughbreds.
When early man learnt how to keep records, horse racing became prominent in all main cultures spanning Asia across to the Mediterranean. Chariot racing and mounted horse races formed part of the Greek Olympics way back in 638BC, and during the Roman Empire, the public became obsessed with horse racing.
Horse racing as we know it today started in the 12th Century. English knights returned from the Crusades with robust Arab horses. Over the following 400 years, Arabian stallions were brought into Britain and were bred with English mares. The offspring were perfect for horse racing. They had incredible speed and endurance. At this point, betting was exclusive to English noblemen.
During the reign of Queen Anne in the early 1700s, horse racing was classed as a professional sport. Each event featured several horses racing against each other, and spectators were permitted to place bets. Courses popped up everywhere in England and winning purses for the owners grew and grew. This translated to huge profits for owners and breeders.
Competition became fierce and, to prevent any corruption, a Jockey Club was formed in 1750 at Newmarket. The sport was controlled by this body which introduced a number of rules and regulations. Even to this day, British horse racing is overseen by the Jockey Club.
Americans were introduced to the sport of horse racing in 1665 by British settlers who arrived with splendid horses. America's first race track was built at Long Island. At the end of the Civil War when there was an upsurge in the economy, Americans became fixated with horse racing. No less than 314 race courses had been established in the USA by 1890.
Because of a criminal element and corruption, it was also necessary to set up a Jockey Club in America. This was done during 1894 in New York. The new body, the American Jockey Club, followed the same principles at the English Jockey Club, and it stepped in with a firm hand to eliminate corruption.
Horse racing is the next most popular spectator sport in the US after baseball. It is also has a huge following Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, South America, Australia, South Africa and Europe. Modern day horse races are competed over various distances with jockeys riding superb thoroughbreds.
When early man learnt how to keep records, horse racing became prominent in all main cultures spanning Asia across to the Mediterranean. Chariot racing and mounted horse races formed part of the Greek Olympics way back in 638BC, and during the Roman Empire, the public became obsessed with horse racing.
Horse racing as we know it today started in the 12th Century. English knights returned from the Crusades with robust Arab horses. Over the following 400 years, Arabian stallions were brought into Britain and were bred with English mares. The offspring were perfect for horse racing. They had incredible speed and endurance. At this point, betting was exclusive to English noblemen.
During the reign of Queen Anne in the early 1700s, horse racing was classed as a professional sport. Each event featured several horses racing against each other, and spectators were permitted to place bets. Courses popped up everywhere in England and winning purses for the owners grew and grew. This translated to huge profits for owners and breeders.
Competition became fierce and, to prevent any corruption, a Jockey Club was formed in 1750 at Newmarket. The sport was controlled by this body which introduced a number of rules and regulations. Even to this day, British horse racing is overseen by the Jockey Club.
Americans were introduced to the sport of horse racing in 1665 by British settlers who arrived with splendid horses. America's first race track was built at Long Island. At the end of the Civil War when there was an upsurge in the economy, Americans became fixated with horse racing. No less than 314 race courses had been established in the USA by 1890.
Because of a criminal element and corruption, it was also necessary to set up a Jockey Club in America. This was done during 1894 in New York. The new body, the American Jockey Club, followed the same principles at the English Jockey Club, and it stepped in with a firm hand to eliminate corruption.
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Spending time at the Australian horse races is a great way to enjoy the day, especially when you win! It's time to start making every trip to the track a great one when you have the horse racing tips that will give you the winning edge today!
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