The history of horse racing dates back to 4500 BC. Nomadic Tribesmen in Central Asia domesticated the horse and paved the way for this sport. Chariot races were introduced during the Greek Olympics and Roman Empire eras. In the 12th century Arabian horses were brought back with English knights returning from the Crusades. These fast horses helped to develop the sport as we appreciate it today. It was recognized as a professional sport during the reign of Queen Anne in the 1700's.
Thoroughbred racing also known as flat racing is one of the more popular races currently recognized. This type of race is conducted on a flat oval track. They run a distance not to exceed a mile and a half.
Thoroughbreds were conceived in England by breeding imported Arabian and Turkish horses with English lines. Almost all thoroughbreds can trace their bloodlines back to one of three founding sires. They can reach speeds just shy of 40 miles per hour. They have nervous temperaments.
Quarter horse racing is on a flat straight track approximately a quarter mile long. Competitors in this race are bred to sprint short distances. The American Quarter horse actually got its name because of the length of the track. Because the early colonists did not have the money to build a real race track they decided that they would flatten a quarter of a mile of land and enjoy the sport less expensively than the English.
This breed is a mixture of the English Thoroughbred and the horses the Native Americans used that were brought over from Spain. Because of their size and agility they are useful for herding cattle, roping and barrel racing in rodeos and racing. They are the favorite breed in the United States today.
In harness racing the driver is pulled in a two wheeled cart by a Standardbred. These horses are bred for harness racing. In this type of race the horses are only allowed to trot or pace. They are more muscular than the Thoroughbred and have a much nicer disposition.
The Standardbred is a concoction of several breeds. Contributors to this breed include Thoroughbreds, Morgans, Hackneys, Canadian Pacers, Norfolk Trotters and Narragansett Pacers. They were bred to complete the race in the standard two and a half minutes. How their name originated. Many have completed the mile in faster times since the regulations for registering them was created. There are many more aspects to be explored in the history of horse racing like training, betting and popular races of today.
When you look into horse racing tips, you need to use the Internet, because there based from prospective of all around the world. Many ideas from different countries and many famous horse back riders. Australian horse races can be entered at certain times of the year.
