The History of Horse Racing and Betting

The equestrian sport of horse racing is thousands of years old. Archeological records indicate that the sport was practiced in ancient civilizations including Babylon, ancient Greece, Egypt, and Syria. In fact, horses were first domesticated by the Central Asians around 4500 BC. The sport eventually grew in prominence when society elites like kings and nobles began to take an interest in it. Now there are turf clubs and cash rich tournaments held around the world that cater to horse racing and betting.

Many variations of horse racing exist depending on the country where the race is being held. Steeplechase, harness racing, thoroughbred racing, and harness racing are common examples. Of these types, racing with thoroughbreds is by far the most popular in the United States today.

Horse racing is a tactical game. Therefore, experience, skill, and proper planning are necessary to make money through horse racing and betting. Those who like betting games such as bingo or blackjack often also enjoy horse racing and betting as it also combines strategy with entertainment.

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Horse Racing and Betting Goes Professional

Modern horse racing can be said to have evolved during the 12th century when English Knights returning from the crusades brought Arabian stallions with them. These horses were bred to English mares. The resulting horses possessed both endurance and speed.

Under the rule of Queen Anne of England, the sport took a professional turn. The first recorded bets in horse racing were made by the Queen in 1702. Race tracks were created throughout Britain and many of these offered attractive purses. This money made owning and breeding horses for racing profitable. Additionally, spectators could now publicly place bets on horses. In Queen Anne's honor, a race is still held in the Royal Ascot each year and this race has very high stakes.

The sport of horse racing was eventually introduced to the United States in 1665 when a race track was constructed on Long Island. But it was not until the Civil War ended that the sport started to become popular. By the year 1890, 314 tracks were in operation in the United States. There was no governing authority and criminal elements began dominating horse racing and betting.

The American Jockey Club Gives Horse Racing and Betting a Flip

The American Jockey Club was founded in the year 1894. But by this time, an anti-gambling sentiment had become prevalent in the United States, and the sport had been banned by many states. This nearly led to the end of horse racing and betting in the country.

In 1908, there were only about twenty five race tracks still remaining in the United States. However, at this time, the Kentucky Derby was started and pari-mutual betting became legal. The states also began to earn money on horse racing and betting by placing fees and taxes on the sport. Today, the pari-mutuel betting system, invented by Pierre Oller in the 19th century, is still followed at all American horse racing and betting tracks.

Soon, great race horses like Man o' War and the new found prosperity after the first World War encouraged spectators to return to the race tracks, in short reviving the sport. This revival continued till the second World War. In the 1970s, horse racing and betting saw another resurgence, mainly due to the dominance of horses such as Seattle Slew, Secretariat, and Affirmed. These horses were those that successfully won the American Triple Crown, one of the greatest trophies in horse racing and betting.

While the sport has seen its share of ups and downs in the United states, horse racing and betting is still a major sport in the country today.

If you would like to learn more about horse racing and betting, horse racing picks, and other useful information about horse race handicapping, contact our horse race handicappers.