Horse Racing: Information Resource Portal

Horse racing is equestrian contest in which two or more horses are driven or ridden over a special course with the winner being determined by the horse that crosses the finish line first. Today, there are four major forms of horse racing: thoroughbred, quarter horse, harness, and steeplechase.

The competitive racing of horses probably has its origins with the nomadic tribes of central Asia where the horse was first domesticated about 4500 BC. Horse racing was considered the sport of kings and nobility for centuries, though today it is a highly organized and commercialized sport.

Thoroughbred racing is by far the most popular type of horse racing. All modern thoroughbreds have as a common ancestor one of three stallions: Byerly Turk, Darley Arabian, and Godolphin Barb, which were imported into Great Britain from the Middle East and North Africa between 1689 and 1724. Thoroughbreds are known for their speed and endurance.

Quarter horses are bred primarily for speed, and are commonly believed to be the fastest horses over short distances. Quarter horse races are generally sprints of a quarter of a mile or less, and are especially popular at county fairs and rodeos.

In harness racing, the horses race in a specified gait pulling two-wheeled carts called sulkies. Most harness races are restricted to standardbred horses.

Steeplechase racing, primarily conducted in the UK and Ireland, refers to a contest in which the horse must jump over a diverse set of obstacles, such as fences or ditches, while traversing the race course.






	Horse Racing Fast Facts History Tracks Handicapping Travel	Horse racing is equestrian contest in which two or more horses are driven or ridden over a special course with the winner being determined by the horse that crosses the finish line first. Today, there are four major forms of horse racing: thoroughbred, quarter horse, harness, and steeplechase. The competitive racing of horses probably has its origins with the nomadic tribes of central Asia where the horse was first domesticated about 4500 BC. Horse racing was considered the sport of kings and nobility for centuries, though today it is a highly organized and commercialized sport. Thoroughbred racing is by far the most popular type of horse racing. All modern thoroughbreds have as a common ancestor one of three stallions: Byerly Turk, Darley Arabian, and Godolphin Barb, which were imported into Great Britain from the Middle East and North Africa between 1689 and 1724. Thoroughbreds are known for their speed and endurance. Quarter horses are bred primarily for speed, and are commonly believed to be the fastest horses over short distances. Quarter horse races are generally sprints of a quarter of a mile or less, and are especially popular at county fairs and rodeos. In harness racing, the horses race in a specified gait pulling two-wheeled carts called sulkies. Most harness races are restricted to standardbred horses. Steeplechase racing, primarily conducted in the UK and Ireland, refers to a contest in which the horse must jump over a diverse set of obstacles, such as fences or ditches, while traversing the race course.

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