Horse racing is one of the oldest forms of entertainment known to man; an exciting and hazardous competition between man and beast that dates back centuries and remains a beloved spectator sport worldwide. Only those with superior jockeys and stables will emerge victorious; only elite horses will win major races.
Races feature horses competing against each other in an all-out, nonstop sprint to the finish line on dirt tracks with multiple turns. Each horse is assigned its own weight based on age, gender and distance; in order to remain competitive they must carry certain amounts of pounds with them for each race they run.
There are various kinds of horse races, with each type requiring its own specific pedigree requirements. For instance, flat races – all but few steeplechases – only permit horses with parents that are both purebreds of one breed – which means Thoroughbreds in this case.
Horse racing dates back to its origins at the Ancient Olympic Games of 700-40 BC in Greece, when four-hitch chariot races and mounted (bareback) horse races took place. From there it spread to neighboring regions such as China, Persia Arabian North Africa where horsemanship became highly developed.
Early horse racing likely started off casually and, over time, became more formalized into what we know today. Not until the late 1800’s did modern breed of stout sprinters become prevalent – these came to be known as Steel Dusts due to their tough natures and ability to run quickly in Western climates.
Today’s most iconic races take place in America and Europe each year, drawing millions of people together for television coverage. Most notable among these races is the Kentucky Derby – an iconic part of America’s Triple Crown series – as well as its sister event Preakness Stakes. However, other acclaimed races include France’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe; Australia’s Melbourne Cup and Sydney Cup races; Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini of Argentina; Caulfield and Wellington Cup races from New Zealand; South Africa’s Durban July event; South Africa being some of these racing phenomenons!
Racing has seen improvements in terms of both horses and humans’ safety; however, it remains an industry plagued with abuse and cruelty. Animal rights groups like PETA expose abusive training methods for young horses; use of drugs to mask injuries and enhance performance; transport of American-bred horses overseas for slaughterhouse slaughtering; but increasing awareness is driving support for alternative betting methods like online horse racing betting sites which offer safer, more convenient, and enjoyable betting alternatives to traditional gambling on horse races.