Horse Racing Throughout the History

Man may be known to make use of race horses for racing since this specie was first domesticated. Historical evidences uncover that as early as 4500 BC, the nomadic individuals of Central Asia has developed systems of horse racing. Actually, the Greeks are known to have incorporated horse racing in the Olympics since 638 BC.

Both the chariot horse racing and the mounted horse racing were well-liked during these ages. These types of later grew to become an obsession among Romans when they have adopted the sport.

For thousand of years that followed, this type of sports was considered to be performed only for the noble men as well as royalties.

Modern racing is believed to have started in the 12th hundred years when the first breeding between Arabian and English horses were made. These were sparred by the return of the noble knights in combat to the mother land after the Crusades. These are known to have produced sturdy race horses with superb speed. Thus, breeders maximized the potentiality of a racehorse as well as put all of them into tracks. This breed is the Thoroughbred that we know of these days which is still the most popular breed in the United Kingdom.

King Charles II had been known to have held horse races in his private courses during 1660 to 1685.

Through the 16th century, the English have been known to make a number of racecourses. Queen Anne that started the Ascot in 1711 is known to have made horse racing an official sport.

Halfway in 1700�s, the Jockey Club was created through the initiation of the elite figures involved with horse racing. This organization was the first legion of jockeys which established the actual comprehensive rules and regulations including the requirements as covered by the sports activities. Thus, these people became the overseers of the sports and sanctioned horse racing occasions.

The Jockey Club was also the initiator for the legislation of breeding among race horses. Thus, James Weatherby, an accountant of the Jockey Club during those occasions, traced back the family lines of all racing breeds in England. His researches brought forth the book of the General Stud Book, which was basically, the basis of authority when it comes to the breeds that may be put to race. According to the General Stud Book, only individuals pedigrees which have descended in the line of the “foundations sires” are considered as Thoroughbreds. The foundation sires are the: Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Arabian.

Only in 17th century did the sport arrive in America for which the very first racetrack was seen in the actual Long Island. Although it has turned into a favorite activity among Americans, no one initiated the formalization of horse racing until after the Civil War. Due to the already-established obsession plus the industrial development, and widespread gambling on horse races, the sport grew largely by the year 1890 when 314 operating tracks are known to be on regular operation in the country.

Due to the lack of a governing body, this activity had become purely dominated by criminal elements. In 1894 though, the most notable and high-ranking stable owners met as well as organized the American Jockey Club which was patterned on the system as used by the Jockey Club in England.

Nowadays the sport has reached various countries across the globe. Governing bodies were also formed to regulate the horse racing occasions.