Horse racing is a sport that has a long and distinguished history in many civilizations throughout the world. From a simple contest between two horses in a four-hitched chariot to a modern thoroughbred racetrack, the horse has been the dominant form of transportation since the dawn of civilization and has helped shape cultures around the world. Although the exact origins of horse racing are obscure, its roots can be traced back to ancient Greek games from 700 B.C. to 40 B.C.
The first documented horse race was held in 1651 as the result of a wager between two noblemen. The sport was widely popular in France during the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715) and standardized rules were established including requiring certificates of origin for horses, and imposing additional weight on foreign runners.
After that, horse racing continued to develop. By the 1860s, horse races were held on public tracks with eligibility requirements based on age, sex, birthplace, previous performance and the qualifications of riders. In addition, racetracks were designed to accommodate varying distances and racing formats.
One of the most popular formats was the “other than” race, which allowed a horse to move up in class based on his or her performances. Once a horse had won an “other than” race, it could move up into the conditioned claiming ranks or open claiming races. Eventually, a horse would have to win a “three other than” race before moving up to the Grade I stakes.
The popularity of horse racing has declined with the rise of other gambling activities and scandals involving doping. According to a 2011 report commissioned by the Jockey Club, racing is experiencing a “sharp decline in market share with new and returning customers.” Racing also has a tendency to attract older, less-engaged fans. It is a rare sight to see anyone under 60, aside from jockeys, at the track. This older demographic is a contributing factor to declining attendance and betting activity at the track.
In addition to losing fans, horse racing is experiencing a decrease in revenues and the number of race days. Several factors contribute to these declines including increased competition from other forms of gambling, the high cost of maintaining and training a stable of horses, and declining television viewership. Additionally, growing awareness of industry cruelty has turned many would-be fans away from the sport. Activist group Horseracing Wrongs exposes the brutal realities of the sport, which include drug use and abuse of young horses, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter.
This election cycle has felt like a horse race with no substantive discussion of the issues and no clear winner. With the race in swing states being particularly close, it may be a while before we know for sure who will take the white house. In the meantime, it is important to stay informed on all of the candidates and their positions. Fortunately, there are several resources available to help you do just that!