Horse Racing Throughout the History
Man may be known to use race horses for racing since this specie was first domesticated. Historical evidences reveal that as early as 4500 BC, the nomadic people of Central Asia has already developed techniques of horse racing. In fact, the Greeks are known to have incorporated horse racing in the Olympics since 638 BC.
Both the chariot horse racing and also the mounted horse racing were well-liked during these ages. These later became an obsession among Romans when they have adopted the activity.
For thousand of years that followed, this kind of sports was considered to be performed only for the noble men and royalties.
Modern racing is believed to have started in the 12th century when the first breeding between Arabian and English horses were made. They were sparred by the return of the noble knights in combat to the mother land after the Crusades. They are known to have produced sturdy horses with superb speed. Thus, breeders maximized the potentiality of a racehorse as well as put all of them into tracks. This particular breed is the Thoroughbred that we know of these days which is still typically 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.
By the 16th century, the English have been known to produce a number of racecourses. Queen Anne who founded the Ascot in 1711 is known to have made horse racing an official sport.
Halfway in 1700�s, the Jockey Club was made through the initiation of the elite figures involved with horse racing. This particular organization was the very first legion of jockeys that established the comprehensive rules and regulations including the standards as covered by the actual sports. Thus, they became the overseers of the sports as well as sanctioned horse racing events.
The Jockey Club was also the initiator for the regulation of breeding among 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 publication of the General Stud Book, which was basically, the basis of authority when it comes to the breeds that may be put to race. Based on the General Stud Book, only individuals pedigrees that have descended from the line of the “foundations sires” are thought 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 initial racetrack was seen in the actual Long Island. While it has become a favorite activity among Americans, no one initiated the actual formalization of horse racing until after the Civil War. Due to the already-established obsession plus the industrial development, and widespread betting on horse races, the activity 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 and 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 around the world. Governing bodies were also formed to manage the horse racing events.