A sport that tests horsemanship is horse racing. Horse racing prevails in various parts of the world for centuries. The earliest instances of horse racing date back to the scripts of Norse mythology. Norse mythology has the records of contest of warhorses. In Roman times, the chariot races were a common sports activity. Horse racing is well regarded as the Sports of Kings. It commonly employs thoroughbred horses.
Thoroughbred racing is the most admired of all in horse racing industry. A horse race between people riding in sulkies behind horses that are trotting or pacing is done with the help of standard-bred horses. Standard-bred horse racing is well liked in the eastern parts of America, New Zealand and Australia. Western parts of American are fond of racing on a small powerful horse originally bred for sprinting in quarter-mile races in Virginia. These horses are known as quarter horses. Flat or hurdles might be used with thoroughbred horse racing. Endurance racing is carried out with Arabian breed horses. The Arabian horses are purebred and well suited for long distance track races. These races have their roots in the Middle East, different regions of Europe and the United States.
Various types of races employ a range of horses. Short distance races are carried out with quarter horses, as they are best known for short distance runs. While average distance standard-bred horses accomplish races. These have the ability to run at high speed. Arabian horses are utilized on long distances. Whereas a light two-wheeled vehicle for one person and drawn by one horse is performed using standard bred horses. Various horses owing to different muscles and body structure are employed on a range of tracks from mud to artificial surfaces.
Horse tending, breeding, and grooming have taken the form of business in itself. It is the source of circulation of money and major form of economic process. Even gambling industry is backed by the horse industry. Several horses need varied range of attention and care to look after them. Besides, intensive training is a part of this grooming. Horse may, at times, win millions. On the other hand, adult male horses are also kept for breeding.
In the northern parts of the United States of America, the history of racing with horses has deep roots. It dates back in history to 1655 in New York; here new market was developed for the purpose of gambling on horses and cards. Richard Nichols, then colonial governor of New York patronized the very first race. The region, Nassau County, is nowadays part and the capital of the Bahamas.
The first racetrack was built on an island in south east of New York; Brooklyn and Queens are on its western end, in the year 1665. The year 1868 marked the beginning of the American Stud Book, when organized horse racing initiated. By 1890, officially 314 tracks were operational in America. The American Jockey Club was also established in the year 1894. Anti-gambling views predominant in the early 20th century saw the ban imposed on bookmaking. Bookmaking is the art or profession of determining odds and receiving and paying off bets, especially bets on the outcome of sporting events. This, all but, eradicated horse racing entirely. In 1908, the horse racing industry improved dramatically. Horse racing throve till World War II. The sport got popular again when horses won The Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is a title bestowed on a horse that has won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness races.
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