Horse Racing
“And they’re off!” Horse racing of all types is found in our racing section, including Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Harness, Steeplechase and Arabian racing.
Want to get lucky? Take a look at the Wagering to help guide you. Keep track of upcoming horse races and racing events in our Calendar of Events for Horse Racing.
Want to live the dream of owning a racehorse? Check out the Breeding, Partnerships, Sales & Bloodstocks sections where you can help yourself be a force in the Sport of Kings.
Need a place to train your baby and help develop his successful career? You will find both training facilities and professional racehorse trainers in our Training section. See you in the winners’ circle!
There are a number of benefits to owning a racehorse through a partnership. First, it is more affordable than owning a horse outright. Second, it allows you to spread the risk of ownership among multiple people. Third, it can be a lot of fun to own a racehorse with friends or family.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to horse racing partnerships. First, it is important to choose your partners carefully. You need to make sure that you are compatible with them and that you have the same goals for the horse. Second, you need to be prepared for the fact that horse racing can be a risky sport. There is always the possibility that your horse could get injured or lose races.
If you are considering joining a horse racing partnership, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Do your research. Before you join a partnership, it is important to do your research and learn as much as you can about horse racing partnerships. This includes understanding the costs involved, the risks involved, and the potential rewards.
- Choose your partners carefully. When choosing partners, it is important to choose people who you are compatible with and who have the same goals for the horse. You should also make sure that your partners have the financial resources to contribute to the partnership.
- Get everything in writing. Once you have chosen your partners, it is important to get everything in writing. This includes the terms of the partnership, the responsibilities of each partner, and the ownership structure of the horse.
Horse racing partnerships can be a great way to own a racehorse and experience the thrill of the sport. However, it is important to do your research and choose your partners carefully before joining a partnership.
Disclaimer: Equine Info Exchange, LLC is listing these organizations as a reference only and not as a recommendation. It is strongly suggested for an owner to seek legal consultants, accountants, financial and other professional advisers when considering ownership of a racehorse.
Featured Listings - Partnerships
- Jared Shoemaker, 1201 Emma Kay Blvd, Greenup, KY 41144 Phone: 1-606-922-9325 Fax: 1-606-473-1392 Email: jshoemaker@pocketacesracing.com Pocket Aces Racing LLC is a racing syndicate formed to provide affordable opportunities for individuals to enjoy the “sport of kings” through fractional ownership. Our goal is to provide all the fun and excitement that thoroughbred racing has to offer with a fraction of the financial risk, none of the hassle, and an extreme level of customer service.
Partnerships
Partnerships - United States
- Bassett Stables
- Blinkers On Racing Stable
- Bona Venture Stables
- Bradley Thoroughbreds
- Bush Racing Stable
- Centennial Farms
- Country Life Farm
- Dare To Dream Stable, LLC
- Don't Tell My Wife Stables
- Donegal Racing
- Dream Maker Racing
- Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
- Final Furlong Racing Stable
- Funky Munky Stable LLC
- Hibiscus Stables
- Horseplayers Racing Club, LLC
- Kenwood Racing LLC
- Little Red Feather Racing
- Masino Racing Stable
- McPeek Racing
- MJM Stable
- Pewter Stable
- Racing Factions
- RJG Racing Management LLC
- Sackatoga Stable
- Starlight Racing
- Summit Racing LLC
- Three Chimneys Racing LLC
- Wasabi Ventures Stables
- West Point Thoroughbreds
- Woodford Racing LLC
- Z Thoroughbred Racing
- Zilla Racing Stables
Partnerships - International
The Pros and Cons of Racing Partnerships
by James Carney
Becoming a horse owner is extremely exciting. The thrill of watching a horse you own race is one of the best feelings you can have (legally). The main problem with horse ownership is that racing is extremely expensive. The average price of a 2-year-old is right around $75,000 - (Jockey Club resource). So unless you are an accredited investor with more than $1,000,000 net worth, it will be hard to responsibly purchase a horse on your own.
There is some good news, don’t worry. The rest of us can use syndicates to get the same upside with a far less risky downside. A syndicate is where you go in with a group of people and purchase a horse. With all this upside, you do have a great downside. Which is you have less control. In a nutshell, a syndicate might be for you if you are willing to compromise some of the control to maximize on a wide variety of benefits. If this is something you’re considering, keep reading.
PROS
There are plenty of pros to why someone should get involved in a syndicate. The pros vastly outweigh the cons, in my opinion. That doesn’t mean one is better than the other, it means one is better for a certain type of person than the other. With that said, here is a list of benefits of a syndicate.
Work with the pros.
Horse racing is a sport where you can spend your entire career trying to become an expert, and end your career knowing there is still more to learn. It’s a very complicated sport with very complicated rules and regulations which may vary depending on your state or country you’re racing in. The main benefit of working with a syndicate is that you’ll be working with a horse professional who will be much more equipped to handle the administrative and day to day stress that comes with horses more so than you would be able to on your own. So what does this mean for you?
It means you won’t have to worry about how often the farrier needs to come. It means you don’t need to know what a farrier is. It means you don’t have to worry about what type of food to feed your horse. It means you don’t need to worry about what supplements to give your horse. It means a lot more too. You get the point. It means you don’t need to be an expert horseman to be part of the beautiful sport of horseracing. It ultimately means you can be an amateur horse owner and a full time horse lover and not have to worry about the stuff that gives the regular horseman a headache.
You can afford a better horse.
Lets assume you have $80,000 to spend on a horse. That’s a little more than the average price of a 2-year-old at auction in North America. If you buy that horse by yourself, you are stuck with one horse. If that horse doesn’t turn out good, you can end up losing some money.
Now lets say you decide to put that $80,000 into a syndicate. You not only get to diversify your investment, which I’ll mention later, but you also get to put that money towards a higher quality thoroughbred. That money could be put into a few horses that are worth much more. You could get a sizeable share of a few $500,000 horses when you use a syndicate. You could get several 5% shares in some $500,000 horses. Which typically the better the horse, the better the ROI.
Social Benefits
Sure, horseracing is a business for some people, but for others it’s a huge social event. Seeing pictures at the track make it seem like such a fun time, which it is. You meet all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds that you’d never meet otherwise. You can travel the world because of horses. When you do that, you will meet all sorts of people. It’s obviously more fun when you don’t have to worry about how your horse is doing. A syndicate provides you with piece of mind so you can enjoy your time at the races and hopefully in the winner’s circle.
Don’t need to worry about the legal aspect
No one likes messing around with administrative parts of the business. When you must deal with that, it really takes the joy out of the sport. Which if you haven’t learned yet, there are a lot of administrative tasks that need to be done if you own a racehorse. Some of these tasks include starting your LLC, reading through the conditions book at your home track to make sure you aren’t breaking any rules, obtaining your racing license, registering your silks, finding and entering your horse into races. A lot of that stress and admin work is taken off your plate when you are part of a syndicate. Most syndicate managers have an administrative assistant, if they don’t have one they have years of experience dealing with it and know what to expect.
Syndicates know how complicated and stressful this process can be. They want to make this process as simple as possible to help keep you as a partner.
Limits risk
It’s common knowledge that you need to diversify your investments to limit your risk. This is as true in horse racing as it is in other investment. If you have enough money to invest in horses, you will be much more successful if you spread out your investments over a few high-quality horses rather than 1 great horse. Sure, you might think that your horse is the next California Chrome, but for every California Chrome, there are hundreds of gelded horses that end up breaking even and retire as a pleasure horse. This is even more important if you aren’t a professional horseman. This is a complicated sport that people spend their entire career learning how to pick out the best horses. No matter how much money you have, if you don’t have an expert helping spread your money intelligently, you will burn out quick.
How does a syndicate alleviate that? I talked about this above during the “You can afford a better horse” a little bit. To further the point about risk. If you have your hands on 5 different horses, and 1 of them ends up losing money, you have 4 other horses to offset that cost. Imagine if you just bought that one horse that ended up losing money. That’s a quick way to burn through some cash. If you have your hands on several horses, the great ones help outweigh the cost of the bad ones.
Think of what venture capitalists do. They have the money in several companies and one of them will take off and absorb the losses of the other ones. Horse racing is very similar. You’ll have horses that you think are worth a lot and end up not being worth a lot, and you’ll also have horses you think aren’t worth that much and end up being worth a lot. The longer you’re in the sport, the more often you’ll end up on both sides of the coin. That’s what makes this sport so exciting! The only way to last long enough to enjoy the excitement is to spread your investments out to many horses. You don’t want all your eggs in one basket.
Easiest Way for a non horseman to get into the sport
To sum up the pros of syndicates, this is the best way to go if you aren’t an expert. If you want to become a true horseman, then this is a great place to start and build connections to help you along the way. If you are a horse lover and just want to enjoy the sport, this is a great place to start. You’ll be able to have fun on the ride by letting someone more qualified take care of the behind the scenes work while you enjoy the other parts of the sport.
CONS
Sure, syndicates have a lot of good things going for them. There are conferences I’ve been to that have spent hours just talking about the pros of syndicates and how to get people involved in them. But all those good things come with a cost. To boil it down to one thing, it’s the lack of control you have in the sport.
Don’t have ultimate say
A lot of syndicates have one manager. When you join the syndicate, there will be a contract you sign with the expectations from you and the manager. Typically the contract will say something about the manager having final say in what happens. They will take your thoughts and concerns into consideration, but they will have ultimate say. For instance-- There is one syndicate that will be nameless, had a horse win a few races and they had several people call and make offers on the horse. The horse was bought for under $100,000 and someone offered $600,000 and the syndicate manager turned the offers down.
I don’t know the full story on the horse and what the plans are for that horse, but a 6X ROI on your initial investment would be nice. The manager talked to other syndicate members to get their input, but it was ultimately the manager’s decision. I should mention that those decisions typically made lightly and there are several reasons why a manager would do that. The manager is dealing with 10-20 different member’s opinions. That was a delicate decision to make either way, and I’m assuming that manager did what the majority of the people wanted.
No control on where your horse races.
When you own your horse flat out, you have complete control over where your horse races. If you want to have your horse race at Santa Anita, you can. If you want a vacation and want your horse to race at Gulfstream Park, you can. There is a lot of freedom of that comes with being a horse owner, but when you’re in a syndicate then you might lose out on some of that freedom. Any reputable syndicate manager will take your thoughts into consideration, but typically they have complete control.
No control on the trainer
Typically a syndicate manager has a relationship with a group of trainers, depending on the talent of the horse, they’ll probably hire a certain trainer. If you’ve owned a horse before and used a specific trainer, you might not be able to use him with that horse.
The manager might take your recommendation for the trainer into consideration, but since the manager would already have a relationship with a few other trainers it probably wouldn’t happen.
OVERVIEW
Horse ownership can be such a rush! The main thing you should be aware of is how to manage your expectations. A syndicate is a great option for a first-time horse owner. There are a lot of benefits that come with being a syndicate partner, and in my opinion they outweigh the cons. Especially at first. If you are experienced in the sport and have owned horses before, there are different pros and cons of a syndicate. You might join a syndicate for networking benefits, for instance.
But assuming you are a first-time buyer or just an inexperienced horse owner, there are some things you should ask yourself before you jump into a syndicate or sole ownership of a horse:
- What level of experience are you and were you do want to go?
- How involved do you want to be?
- How social are you or do you want to be?
- How much control do you want to have?
These play a role in syndicate. Obviously, if you are a top notch breeder and are constantly winning races and awards, maybe a syndicate is not your best move. Flip the coin—If you are looking for a slightly above average horse and just want an excuse to go to the races, then going to a select 2-year-old sale and buying the sale topper for more than $1,000,000 isn’t your best bet either.
There are a lot of things to consider, and thankfully, a lot of resources. If you want to learn more about joining a syndicate, I can put you in touch with someone who could be a good fit for you. If you want to do some research on your own, you can check out the websites listed below to get more info on syndicates and their public records.
- www.Ownerview.com has a lot of ownership information and syndicate information
- www.Equibase.com has a lot of stats on trainers, owners, jockeys and horses. It’s a great place to go and dig into the stats of certain people and horses.
There are more interesting articles in our section on Racing & Wagering.
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
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DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
Horse racing wagering or betting is the act of placing a bet on the outcome of a horse race. Bets can be placed on a variety of different factors, such as which horse will win the race, which horses will finish first and second, or which horses will finish in the top three.
Horse racing betting is a popular form of gambling, and there are a number of different ways to place a bet. The most common way to bet is to go to a racetrack or off-track betting parlor and place a bet with a teller. However, it is also possible to bet on horse races online or over the phone.
There are a number of different types of horse racing bets, but the most common are:
- Win: A win bet is a bet on a horse to finish first in a race.
- Place: A place bet is a bet on a horse to finish first or second in a race.
- Show: A show bet is a bet on a horse to finish first, second, or third in a race.
- Exacta: An exacta bet is a bet on the two horses that will finish first and second in a race, in the correct order.
- Trifecta: A trifecta bet is a bet on the three horses that will finish first, second, and third in a race, in the correct order.
There are also a number of other types of horse racing bets available, such as quinellas, boxes, and parlays.
Horse racing betting can be a fun and exciting way to gamble, but it is important to remember that it is also a risky activity. It is important to set a budget before you start betting and to stick to it. You should also never bet more money than you can afford to lose.
If you are new to horse racing betting, it is a good idea to start by placing small bets and to learn as much as you can about the sport. There are a number of resources available online and in libraries that can help you to learn more about horse racing betting.
Here are some tips for horse racing wagering:
- Do your research. Before you place a bet, it is important to do your research and learn as much as you can about the racehorses and the race conditions. This includes looking at the horses' past performances, their trainers, and the jockeys who will be riding them.
- Set a budget and stick to it. It is important to set a budget before you start betting and to stick to it. This will help you to avoid overspending and getting into debt.
- Don't bet more money than you can afford to lose. Horse racing betting is a risky activity, and there is always the possibility of losing money. It is important to never bet more money than you can afford to lose.
- Start small. If you are new to horse racing betting, it is a good idea to start by placing small bets. This will help you to learn the ropes and to avoid losing too much money.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you have any questions about horse racing betting, there are a number of people who can help you. This includes friends, family, and professional horse racing bettors.
Horse racing betting can be a fun and exciting way to gamble, but it is important to remember that it is also a risky activity. By following these tips, you can help to minimize your risk and maximize your chances of winning.
Read this article for more information about wagering: This is How Horse Racing Odds are Determined
Wagering
Betting Tools - Education & Reference
- Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies
- Horse Racing Betting Rules
- How to Bet on the Ponies
- Quick Guide to Betting the Horses
Betting Tools - Wagering Calculator
Wagering - Australia
- Centrebet International Ltd, P.O. Box 1462, Alice Springs, NT 0871 AUS
- dosageprofile.com
- Sky Racing World
Wagering - Canada
Wagering - France
Wagering - Germany
Wagering - Gibraltar
- 888sports 60-701 Europort, Gibraltar, GIB
- bwin bwin International Ltd, Suite 11, Europort, Gibraltar, GIB
- gamebookers 711 Europort Avenue, Gibraltar, GIB
- Stan James 1 The Square, Marina Bay, Gibraltar, GIB
- Victor Chandler/VC Bet Victor Chandler International Ltd, Chandler House, Suite 1a, 1st Floor, Leanse Place, 50 Town Range, GIB
Wagering - Ireland
- Boylesports Head Office, Finnabair Industrial Park, Dundalk, Co Louth, IRE
- Paddy Power Sportsbetting Airton House, Airton Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Co Dublin, IRE
Wagering - South Africa
Wagering - United Kingdom
- bet365 Hillside, Festival Way, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5SH, UK
- Betfair, P.O. Box 34467, London, W6 9WS, UK
- Betting Directory, UK
- Betting Gods, UK
- BetUK.com Viking House, Nelson Street, Douglas, IM1 2AH, UK
- BGbet Suite B, Northfield Point, Cunliffe Drive, Northfield Avenue, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 9QJ, UK
- Coral Gala Coral Group, Glebe House, Vicarage Drive, Barking, Essex, IG11 7NS, UK
- Footy Tipster, UK
- IG Sport IG Index plc, Friars House, 157-168 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8EZ, UK
- Ladbrokes Imperial House, Imperial Drive, Rayners Lane, Harrow, London, HA2 7JW, UK
- Punters Lounge, UK
- SBAT Sports Betting Tips, UK
- Sporting Index Gateway House, Milverton Street, London, SE11 4AP, UK
- Sportingbet Moorfield Office, 4th Floor, 45 Moorfield, London, EC2Y 9AE, UK
- Spreadex The Ziggurat, Grosvenor Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3AW, UK
- Totesport, Westgate House, Tote Park, Chapel Lane, Wigan, Lancashire, WN3 4HS, UK
Wagering - United States
The Arabian horse originated from the Arabian Peninsula where it has been raced for centuries. This breed is smaller in size and more one paced than the Thoroughbred. It is very attractive and intelligent, generally noted for its ability to endure sustained effort over long distances. In January 2000 the Abu Dhabi one-day 100 mile race was won by a 10 year old Purebred Arab gelding, Ben Saloe, at an astonishing average speed of 12.71 mph!
The Arabian has been in Britain since the Romans conquered our shores. They raced them at Netherby (Yorkshire) long before the Thoroughbred was produced. James I kept Arabians, including the famous Markham Arabian, at Newmarket where he instituted a kind of steeplechase on Newmarket Heath. The Parliamentarians confiscated his Stud in 1648 and his horses were dispersed - most being lost from record.
The Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerly Turk from the 18th Century were to become the progenerators of the British Thoroughbred stock. Weatherby's Stud Book began in 1791 based on these three Arabians. Prior to this, the Jockey Club was founded in 1752.
By 1885 the speedy Thoroughbred had evolved to be so fast that the Purebred Arabian was no longer a match for it even when given a large allowance. So the racing of this smaller breed on official tracks was stopped. It was not until 1978 that they were returned to the tracks once more. A few racing enthusiasts from the Arab Horse Society, led by Ann Unwin, gained permission from the Jockey Club to organise Amateur flat races. Since then, for the past 22 seasons, the sport has flourished under Jockey Club Rules, on official courses and has grown to be the most active of its kind in Europe.
Read more from EquiWorld UK...
The American Quarter Horse Is One Of The World’s Most Popular Breeds
The origin of the breed can be traced to Colonial America, to the early days of our nation. At this time, sprint racing, similar to modern Quarter Horse racing today, was popular in the streets of Virginia. It gained this popularity due to the fact that participants did not need a fancy track. That is to say, they just used what was already there… the street! But in 1674 this practice was deemed illegal, as people were literally being run over in the streets!!! At this point, the horse had no official name but was called a variety of things, including the Colonial Sprinter, the Quarter Pather and the Illustrious Colonial Quarter Running Horse. Although English Thoroughbreds were raced in the new world, it wasn’t long before Colonial farmers started to breed their English ponies to a faster, sturdier horse. In 1752, a horse named Janus was imported to Virginia. He was a grandson of the Godolphin Arabian and he was quick and compact. His build worked beautifully for the breeders cause and because of this, Janus is credited as the foundation sire of the American Quarter Horse.
Over the next 150 years, the product of this breeding would come to be known as the “American Quarter Horse”. Now known as the ‘World’s Fastest Athlete’ , the term “Quarter” refers to the distance of the race, most commonly a quarter of a mile. This 440 yard distance is still known as American Quarter Horse Racing’s ‘classic distance’ today.
Important Facts About American Quarter Horse Racing
Quarter Horse racing began on a straight track of four hundred forty yards, or one quarter mile. While this is still the most prolific distance in modern racing, races are held at distances as little as 100 yards and as much as 1000 yards! The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the official breed registry for quarter horses, only recognizes races run at 1000 yards or less.
With few exceptions, Quarter Horse races are run in a straight path, with horses running at top speeds for the duration of the race. Turns are rare, so many races end with several horses grouped together at the wire for an exciting photo finish!
Steeplechase racing is a thrilling and demanding equestrian sport that combines the speed and excitement of horse racing with the challenge of jumping over obstacles. It's a spectacle that has captivated audiences for centuries, and it remains a popular event around the world.
The name "steeplechase" is derived from the early races in which the course was marked by church steeples, with horses jumping over fences and ditches along the way. Today, steeplechase courses are typically more standardized, with fences and ditches placed at regular intervals to test the horses' stamina, balance, and jumping ability.
Steeplechase races are typically run over distances of 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) or more, and they can feature a variety of obstacles, including:
- Water jumps: These are ditches filled with water that horses must jump. The depth and width of the water jumps can vary depending on the course.
- Brush fences: These are fences made of brushwood or other natural materials. They are designed to test the horses' ability to navigate obstacles that are both high and wide.
- Log fences: These are fences made of logs or poles. They are often placed in pairs, with a gap between them that the horses must jump over.
- Rail fences: These are fences made of rails or planks. They are typically the shortest and easiest obstacles to jump.
In addition to the obstacles, steeplechase races also feature a variety of hazards, such as uneven terrain, loose gravel, and sudden changes in direction. These hazards can further challenge the horses and jockeys, making it a demanding and unpredictable sport.
Steeplechase racing is a sport of great skill and courage, and it requires both horses and jockeys to be in excellent physical condition. The sport's popularity stems from its combination of thrilling action, unpredictable outcomes, and the inherent drama of horses and riders overcoming difficult obstacles.
Here are some of the most popular steeplechase racing events in the world:
- The Grand National: This iconic race is held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, and is considered to be the most prestigious steeplechase in the world. It is a grueling test of stamina and jumping ability, with 30 fences over a distance of 4 miles and 514 yards (7,108 meters).
- The Cheltenham Festival: This four-day festival, held annually in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, England, is the pinnacle of the National Hunt season in the United Kingdom. It features a number of Grade 1 steeplechase races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and the Ryanair Chase.
- The Nakayama Grand Jump: This race is held annually at Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi, Japan, and is the most prestigious steeplechase in Japan. It is a test of stamina and jumping ability, with 23 fences over a distance of 3 miles and 492 yards (5,700 meters).
- The Maryland Hunt Cup: This race is held annually in April at the Glyndon Course in Glyndon, Maryland, and is the oldest and most prestigious steeplechase race in the United States. It is a test of stamina and jumping ability, with 22 fences over a distance of 4 miles and 1/2 mile (6.5 kilometers).
- The Grand Steeplechase de Paris: This race is held annually at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, and is the most prestigious steeplechase race in France. It is a test of stamina and jumping ability, with 33 fences over a distance of 3 miles and 2 furlongs (5,226 meters).
Harness Racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait (a trot or a pace). They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle (trot monté in French) is also conducted in Europe.
Breeds
In North America harness races are restricted to Standardbred horses, although European racehorses may also be French trotters or Russian trotters, or have mixed ancestry with lineages from multiple breeds. Orlov trotters race separately in Russia. The light cold-blooded Coldblood trotters and Finnhorses race separately in Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Standardbreds are so named because in the early years of the Standardbred stud book, only horses who could trot or pace a mile in a standard time (or whose progeny could do so) of no more than 2 minutes, 30 seconds were admitted to the book. Today, most harness races are won by Standardbreds who post times of 2 minutes or less. The horses have proportionally shorter legs than Thoroughbreds, and longer bodies. Standardbreds generally have a more placid disposition, due to the admixture of non-Thoroughbred blood in the breed.
The founding sire of today's Standardbred horse was Messenger, a gray Thoroughbred brought to America in 1788 and purchased by Henry Astor, brother of John Jacob Astor. From Messenger came a great-grandson, Hambletonian 10 (1849–1876), who gained a wide following for his racing prowess. However, it is his breed line for which he is most remembered. The lineage of virtually all North American Standardbred race horses can be traced from four of Hambletonian 10's sons.
Races
Races can be conducted in two differing gaits – trotting and pacing. The difference is that a trotter moves its legs forward in diagonal pairs (right front and left hind, then left front and right hind striking the ground simultaneously), whereas a pacer moves its legs laterally (right front and right hind together, then left front and left hind). In continental Europe, races are conducted exclusively among trotters, whereas in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States races are also held for pacers.
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Harness Racing - General Information
Thoroughbred horse racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in the UK and steeplechasing in the US.
Flat racing is the most common form of Thoroughbred racing and is held on a flat track. The horses race over a variety of distances, from sprint races of 5 furlongs (1,000 meters) to endurance races of 2 miles (3,200 meters).
Jump racing is a more challenging form of Thoroughbred racing and is held on a track with jumps. The horses race over a variety of distances, from hurdle races of 2 miles (3,200 meters) to steeplechase races of 4 miles (6,400 meters).
Thoroughbred racing is a popular sport and industry around the world. The most prestigious races include the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes in the United States, and the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Europe.
Thoroughbred horses are bred for their speed and agility. They are descendants of Arabian, Barb, and Turkoman horses that were brought to England in the 17th century. The first Thoroughbred race was held in 1665 and the sport has been growing in popularity ever since.
Thoroughbred racing is a controversial sport. Some people argue that it is cruel to race horses and that the sport should be banned. Others argue that Thoroughbred racing is a safe and humane sport and that the horses are well-cared for.
The future of Thoroughbred racing is uncertain. The sport is facing challenges from other forms of gambling, such as online betting. However, Thoroughbred racing remains a popular sport and industry around the world.
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Horse Racing - Thoroughbred - United States
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