Who has not experienced the thrill of horse racing with the thunder of hooves, the jockeys with their colors urging their mounts, the crowd in tempting hooks waiting for the outcome of the game and often their fortune, does not know what is lost. Even more than the game, it’s the sheer excitement that grips viewers when it comes to horse racing.
Let’s take a look at the history of horse racing in our country. It all started when the United States was just a colony and the first clue was on Long Island. The Jockey Club was created in 1750 and horse racing spread throughout North America. The famous Kentucky Derby was first staged after the Civil War and today ranks among the top three most famous events along with the Belmont Stakes and Preakness. Not only in the US but all over the world, this sport has become popular among all strata of society. If a person can’t make it to a race, he can always sit glued to his TV with nail-biting concentration.
Bulle Rock was perhaps the most famous horse of the 18th century but the most popular is Seabiscuit, who won his first race in 1937. The intrigue surrounding this horse, who was the target of a death threat, has inspired a book and a film . One particular attempt on his life made headlines!
Let’s look at the lineage of the horses on the horse racing circuit. The Thoroughbred is the most famous and was imported from England. He has Arab and Turkish ancestry. It can go long distances and can carry a lot of weight, making it perfect for racing. Almost all of the famous horses on the racing scene are Thoroughbreds. For smaller sprints, the Quarter horse is often used. These also find favor on ranches and farms. Sometimes they are crossed with Thoroughbreds to improve their speed.
What draws many people to horse racing is the excitement and adventure of men and beasts pitted against each other. Equally important is the bet. Today this has been brought down to almost a science and punters need to know a horse’s ancestry, medical history and temperament before they wager their money. This is a high risk sport like all other fast sports and injuries to both horse and rider are common. Horse racing season has also evolved into a fashion event with plenty of designer outfits on display. In fact, today, there is a perfect combination of sport and style on every race track in the world.
Copyright 2006 Ngullen Rivera
