Why do european horse races go clockwise and American horse races go counterclockwise?

Question

Why do european horse races go clockwise and American horse races go counterclockwise?

Answer 1

This question was asked just a few weeks ago.  Check out the resolved section to see the other answers.

I will tell you the same thing I said in my previous answer: European tracks go left handed AND right handed.  They also go up and down!  Our courses come in all shapes and sizes from the U shaped rollercoaster that is Epsom to the L shape of Newmarket.

I don't know why all American tracks are circular and go clockwise, but I do think it is boring.  It doesn't take much skill to ride these tracks as they are all the same!  In Europe a jockey needs to walk the course to familiarise himself with the layout and camber, and a true master will know when to push his horse and when to let him free-wheel.

American jockeys are all about speed: ride h**l for leather from the gate and get to the front as soon as you can.  European jockeys play to the strengths of the individual horse and the course, often dropping the horse in behind and coming with a late flourish.

Ok so not many European riders do well in America, but I don't see any American jockeys coming over here to have a go!

This link will show you the layout of Windsor racecourse:

http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/a_day...

This one is Newmarket's July course:  http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/a_day...

This is Bath: http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/a_day...

That should give you some idea of the variety we have over here!

Sorry Rags To Riches, but the USA are not the only country to still use pounds and ounces, feet and inches.  We still do in GB!

Answer 2

Why do some European countries have established the right lane of roads to be for incoming traffic, and the left lane the one you should travel when you are using that road? Why do cars on some European countries are made with the steering wheel at the right side of the car? That might be linked to the fact that European horse races go clockwise. Doesn't it make sense? Now, the reason why? I do not know. I suppose they are different.

Answer 3

Tradition. That was the way someone started doing it a long time ago in each area of the world and people just continued to do what they were doing. Same reason the United States uses pounds and inches and feet as units while the rest of the world uses the metric system.