Horse racing is known as the " Sport of Kings . " This thrilling athletic outcome occurs across the populace between Thoroughbreds , Quarter Horses , Standardbreds , and Arabians . Before you come in a stakes on a slipstream , it ’s important to familiarize yourself with the four unlike styles , as well as the professional and flimflam of Equus caballus racing .
Styles of Racing
Although horse cavalry racing is one of the oldest known sport , it has evolved vastly since its inception . Unique styles and technique have emerged over the last several centuries . Today , the four styles of horse racing are flavorless , parachuting , harness , and endurance . Each ask different guidelines and is democratic in their own right .
Flat Racing
Flat racing is the most popular type of horse step on it worldwide . Horses run a specify distance on a leveled track . In the United States , the tracks are most ordinarily dirt , while in the United Kingdom the tracks are turf .
The subspecies lead off with horse loaded into the starting gate . The crew loads knight rapidly because the starting logic gate is the most dangerous place for horses and jockeys . A gong sound , the gates open , and the horse run down the track . The first gymnastic horse and jockey team to cross the finish line is the winner . In some cases , two or more horse finish the race so close to each other , the race official must use a photo finish to determine the answer .
Flat racing measuresdistancesin furlong , or 1/8 - mile increments . A sprint is seven furlongs or fewer . A route is 1 mile ( 8 furlong ) or longer , and a marathon is long than 1.25 miles .
Jump Racing
Jump racing , also known as steeplechasing , is more pop in the United Kingdom than in the United States . The sport reportedly originate in Ireland , where riders would use Christian church steeples as landmark to race between town . They would bump obstacles like wall , fence , and rivers , which ram the horse cavalry to leap so as to continue the race .
In modern jump racing , horses flow a specified distance , but must parachute several obstacle before they reach the finish line of credit . This makes steeplechasing more grave than categoric racing . Horses must have both pep pill and mightiness to remove the hurdles . Steeplechases may begin with a start logic gate or with a flag .
Harness Racing
Inharness racing , each horse draw in a lightweight , two - wheeled cart called a sulky , and machine driver ride in the cart . In the United States , only Standardbreds contend in this event , but other breeds compete in Europe . The horses begin behind a moving start logic gate pulled by a motortruck . Most races are one mile .
The horses move at a tempo or a trot , never breaking gait . Standardbreds are " pacers , " meaning they move two legs on the same side of their bodies at the same time , such as the right front and the right hind . " trotting horse " move diagonal legs simultaneously .
Endurance Racing
Endurance racing is a democratic vogue that involves rush for farseeing distances – typically 50 or 150 mile . alternatively of a course , competitors follow a designate route that can cover various types of terrain . Uphill raise are not unusual during these airstream .
Arabian horses are often pick out for this sport due to their strong-arm toughness , but any strain can participate in endurance racing . Because these races span up to 24 hours and can be hard on a sawhorse ’s body , there are several point throughout the wash when a vet examines the horses to ensure it ’s safe for them to continue .
Race Classifications
sawbuck racing has a power structure of subspecies quality . Although most horses go in Maiden race , low - end buck expend their life history in take classes , while elect contender appear in high - dollar sign Stakes race .
Maiden
Maiden racesare for horses who have not make headway a race yet . These depart in distance , and horse of the same eld and sex compete against each other . When a horse win its first race , it " breaks its maiden over . "
Claiming
Claiming races are for horses for sale to a accredited trainer or owner for a predetermined price at the last of the subspecies . The person claiming the knight pay up in feeler and takes ownership whether the cavalry wins , loses , or dies in contender . Most race in the United States are in this category . The previous proprietor gets the " purse " or profits if the horse cavalry wins . These buck are typically lower - calibre , less competitive racehorses than those who break away in Allowance or Stakes races .
Allowance
Allowanceraces are for horse who broke their maidens but are not quick for Stakes competition . Horses in this category have won arrogate races . These races have stipulation attach , such as an " other than " or " two other than . " Horses in " other than " races have only gain ground Maiden , Claiming , or Starter Allowance race . Those in the " two other than " family have deliver the goods only one Allowance backwash .
Stakes
Stakes subspecies are for elect race horse and offer the highest purses . Owners must give nominating address and ledger entry fees for their horses to campaign . Most nominating address deadlines are 10 days before the race date , but may be up to a year in rise .
Breeds
Most horse racing worldwide affect Thoroughbreds , but Quarter Horses and Arabians also take to the woods free-enterprise backwash with substantial purse . The linguistic rule vary from breed to breed .
Thoroughbred Horse Racing
Thoroughbred racingis the most well - recognize eccentric of racing . This breed has speeding and stamina , stool them ideal racehorse . The Jockey Clubregisters Thoroughbreds in the United States .
Thoroughbreds train for the racetrack in the fall of their yearling year . They initiate by learning to admit a saddle and bridle , then are subsequently introduce to the weight of a rider . They get used to the start gate and jog before they gallop . horse ready to compete tally in Maiden races when they are 2 or 3 years honest-to-goodness .
Quarter Horse Racing
Quarter buck racingmeasures distance in yards rather than furlong . Races are between 220 yards and 770 yard , make them much shorter than Thoroughbred horse race . The timer start when the start logic gate opens , while Thoroughbreds and Arabians start the clock a few strides down the lead . A2006 studypublished in the Equine Veterinary Journal show that Quarter Horses run quicker than Thoroughbreds or Arabians .
The American Quarter Horse Association ( AQHA)measures a racehorse ’s speed index to compare horse cavalry ' abilities in each slipstream . The AQHA calculates this by averaging the three fast times for the last three years for each distance at the track . This is the baseline , or Speed Index 100 . Then , to find each individual horse ’s speed index , official compare the horse ’s finishing fourth dimension with the pep pill index number for that event , and then add or subtract compass point based on the individual ’s fourth dimension . Those with a swiftness index number over 80 earn theRegister of Meritaward .
Arabian Horse Racing
Arabian Equus caballus racing is standardized to Thoroughbred horse racing and pass off on the same caterpillar tread . Racesare 4.5 to 14 furlongs , and most are six furlong . Purebred Arabians only race against other purebred Arabians registered by theArabian Horse Association ( AHA ) , and they begin competing as 3 - twelvemonth - olds . As of 2017 , only Texas , Delaware , California , Colorado , and Michigan hold Arabian racing upshot .
Arabians are slower than Thoroughbreds by approximately one second per furlong .
Standardbred Horse Racing
In the United States , Standardbredscompete in harness racing . This breed has a quieter demeanor , light legs , and a longer back than Thoroughbreds . Horses accomplish speeds up to 30 Roman mile per 60 minutes while moving at a Trotskyite or tempo on dirt tracks , and many succeeder finish the mile - farsighted race in under two minute . Unlike Thoroughbred cavalry racing , male and distaff horse compete against each other in the same race . They start out racing at 2 years honest-to-god , and theUnited States Trotting Associationrules prescribe that horses must retire from the sport when they get hold of years 15 .
Pros and Cons
sawhorse racing is an exciting variation that welcome everyone from serious gambler to free-and-easy witness . However , some critic wonder the racehorses ' social welfare and whether the rivalry is honourable . Horse racing has both pro and cons within the diligence .
Pros
Cons
Preparation Is the Foundation
Racehorse trainers and owner expend unnumerable hours preparing their horses for the course , from introducing saddles to yearlings to find out their horses get out their maiden over . With proper conditioning , some talent , and a little luck , bangtail can have long , successful career on the track .
