horse racing
Horse racing is a popular spectator sport in the USA. The tracks are usually dirt ovals of one mile in length. Racing is particularly associated with the horse-breeding state of Kentucky, where three-year-old horses run in the Kentucky Derby, but there are also tracks in other states.
Sport of racing mounted or driven (hitched) horses. Two popular forms in the USA are flat racing, in which thoroughbred horses are guided over a flat course by a rider called a jockey, and harness racing, in which a driver in a two-wheeled cart called a sulky drives a horse in one of two gaits: pacing (both legs on the same side are off the ground at the same time); trotting (diagonal legs are off the ground at the same time).
Flat racing
Flat racing has been popular in the Americas since the early colonial era. Thoroughbreds were introduced to North America from England during the 18th century, and the first thoroughbred course was opened on Long Island in 1821. Today, the most famous races in the USA for three-year-old horses are the Kentucky Derby (1875, run at Churchill Downs, Louisville), the Preakness Stakes (1873, at Pimlico, Baltimore), and the Belmont Stakes (1867, at New York), collectively known as the Triple Crown. Winning all three races is a major feat. There are race tracks throughout the USA, and betting on races is a major attraction for spectators and off-track betters.
Harness racing
Harness racing horses, called standardbreds, usually race on 0.5-mi/0.8-km oval tracks. Harness racing became popular in the early 19th century; the introduction of parimutuel betting and night racing increased its popularity in the mid-20th century. Other types of horse racing include the
steeplechase, in which horses race around a course that has numerous obstacles over which the horse must jump. These may include fences, barred jumps, hedges, stone walls, and water.
Races in the UK and Australia In the UK, flat races include the English classics the St Leger (1776, run at Doncaster), the Oaks (1779) and the Derby (1780, both run at Epsom), and the 2,000 Guineas (1809) and the 1,000 Guineas (1814, both run at Newmarket). Outstanding British steeplechases are the Grand National (held since 1839 at Aintree, Liverpool) and Cheltenham Gold Cup (held since 1924 at Cheltenham). The Australian Melbourne Cup (1861) is run at Flemington Park, Victoria. |
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