Horse racing is one of the world’s oldest sports. It is followed world wide with ardor and passion. The aspect of betting, adds a flavor to the races and people are turned into millionaires over night. Money flows in and out of hands in this sport making it exciting and thrilling at most times.
There are two main forms of horse racing. There is harness racing and thoroughbred horse racing. The form of horse racing, which is popular in most parts of the world, is thoroughbred racing. On the other hand, harness racing is popular in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and Italy. Another form of racing popular in US is the quarter horse racing.
The style of racing, the distances and the type of events varies very much by the country in which the race takes place, and many countries offer different types of horse races.
In the United States, races can occur on flat surfaces of either dirt or grass, generally for thoroughbred racing. Other tracks offer quarter horse racing]] and harness racing. The best events in US horse racing have been Kentucky Derby, which, together with the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, form the Triple Crown for three-year-olds. However, in recent years the Breeders' Cup races, held at the end of the year, have been challenging the Triple Crown events, held early in.
In the United Kingdom, there are races that involve obstacles (either hurdles or fences) called National Hunt racing and those that are unobstructed races over a given distance (flat racing). The UK has provided many of the sport's greatest ever jockeys, most notably Gordon Richards.
There are however many controversies surrounding the horse industry. During races, some jockeys use a crop to hit the horse in the rump to direct their effort and possibly run faster. Based on the most detailed statistical study of whipping ever carried out, it is actually counterproductive and slows the horse down causing them to become distracted and dangerously go off course.
In a sport that is not only highly competitive but relies on high-stakes gambling to sustain itself, some people feel it is unlikely that a practice shown to be a disadvantage would continue. However, such cruelties exist and many countries are taking strong steps to stop it. Like in India for example, it is banned, that is until the jockey has proven himself.
Another sad fact is that more than 400 in-racing horses die every year in the UK alone. They may die on the course itself, from injuries received in training or be killed by their owners - considered no longer commercially viable.
The breeding, training and racing of horses in many countries is now a significant economic activity as, to a greater extent, is the gambling industry, which is largely supported by it. Exceptional horses can win millions of dollars and make millions more by providing stud services, such as horse breeding. Good quality race horses for example, is only available from few countries and few breeders this adds a great deal to the national income of the country involved.
S. Stammberger is the editor of Horse
Racing Secrets. Find out how to make money with horse racing.
