The Evolution of Horse Racing
Horse racing is a popular sport that involves a group of horses being pulled by jockeys while the riders attempt to guide them through a course in the fastest time. The sport has evolved from its beginnings in the Olympics and today is a global event with many different betting options.
The first horse race was held in Europe around 1000 B.C.E, when the Greeks began using horses connected to two-wheeled carts or chariots to compete in formal races. Later, the practice spread to Persia, China, and other parts of the world. Today, horse races are often held on dirt or turf courses and feature a variety of different bets.
In the early days of organized horse racing, bettors could place a simple wager on a particular horse by providing a sum of money for a certain amount of winnings. The earliest match races were run between two or three horses, with the owners providing the purses, which came to be known as the “match book”. Match books became more and more formalized, and the resulting agreements were recorded by disinterested third parties, who became known as keepers of the match book.
Before a race, horse trainers and riders take their mounts out into the walking ring to check their physical condition. The way a horse walks, its coat color, and its overall demeanor are all considered when determining whether a horse is ready to run. A horse who balks, or tries to stop at the starting gate, is usually not in good shape and should not be ridden.
The sturdiness and endurance of long-distance horses helped them to dominate American racing in the 1800’s, until the sport changed to dash racing. As speed grew in importance, the stamina of long-distance horses waned and many of them were sold to settlers as working cowboys. The strong and stout horses of the west were often called “Steel Dusters,” named after the legendary horse by that name, who was said to have worked as a cowboy before his death in 1843.
Horses used for racing are pushed to extreme limits-often past their natural athletic ability-and are subjected to cocktails of legal and illegal drugs meant to mask injuries, increase performance, and even enhance the physical appearance of the animals. When the horses are forced to sprint, they often suffer from the effects of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, which is caused by the rapid movement of blood in the lungs. To prevent this, many horses are given Lasix or Salix, a diuretic that also has performance-enhancing properties.
Horses who win allowance races can move up to higher-level claiming races, or even open claiming races, after passing certain conditions. This creates a system of checks and balances that keeps wagering viable for the industry, as it would be unfair for one horse to be so dominant over all other runners. Typically, the more conditions that are required to enter a claiming race, the tougher the competition.
