It is known that horse racing was widespread in Ancient Greece and India. The earliest references to these trials date back to 1000 BC.
Competitions on chariots drawn by four horses were the basis of the ancient Greek Olympic Games. In ancient times, horse racing was very successful and occupied a special place in society.
The winners of equestrian competitions received fame and recognition worthy of true heroes. Horse racing became even more popular thanks to the participation of great emperors such as Nero, Caligula, and Domitian.
With the fall of the Roman Empire, the popularity of horse racing declined, although competitions were still held in Europe.
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In the Middle Ages, various equestrian trials were also held in Europe, which were popular among the population. A new phase in the development of horse racing began in the 17th century. At that time, a special breed of horse with the best racing abilities was bred in England.
At the beginning of the 19th century, a fast thoroughbred breed was bred. The appearance of such horses contributed to a reduction in racing distances.
The previous race distances of 6.5-9.5 km were reduced to 5 km and less. This allowed the horses to demonstrate their speed to the fullest. In the 18th century, the largest racecourses were opened in British cities such as Epsom, Ascot, Newmarket, and Doncaster. Later, racecourses began to appear in France. The most famous French racecourse was Longchamp, where horse races are still held today.
Horse racing began to be regulated by national rules and regulations in England in the 18th century. The first jockey club with the authority to control horse racing was organized here. It was the English who first began to record race records and register horse names.
At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, horse racing became a prestigious pastime. To participate in a race, the owner of the horse could either ride it himself or have a friend or stable employee ride it for him.
In those days, the color of the winner’s stable was recorded in a special book. This tradition is still observed today during races for purebred riding horses. In other races, the colors belonging to the jockeys are recorded, not the stables.
Horse racing only became widespread in Germany in the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, the first German racecourse was built in Mecklenburg, where horses were brought from Britain. Horses appeared in America in the 15th century thanks to the Spanish conquistadors. The Mustang breed was also bred there, a unique horse that appeared from the crossbreeding of American breeds with Arabian horses.
Horse racing has long been and still is a popular and exciting pastime. In South Africa, official races were held as early as 1975. In the 20th century, horse racing spread throughout the world.
