5 interesting horse racing facts

horse racing image to represent Shishkin racehorse - note not a picture of the horse Cheltenham Races

Discover 5 horse racing facts you may not have been aware of until now in our article below!

Horse racing is one of the most fun events to watch, especially in case you’re able to watch it live. A stadium full of people roaring loudly adds to the electrifying atmosphere.

From the rush of the race to the betting there’s a great deal to take in. In fact, quite some part of the sports betting industry depends on horse racing. Racing is probably one of the earliest sports where the idea of sports betting originated from. In spite of its many fans, there’s still a ton of data about horses that is not known to many.

The long and renowned history of horse racing has made it a game with a rich legacy. The sport is loaded with fascinating stories, amazing insights and interesting facts. In any case, it is a game wherein you can generally get to learn a lot about horses.

Here are 5 interesting horse racing facts that you might not be aware of:

  1. A test for the champion – The Belmont Stakes, which is a part of the much-acclaimed Triple Crown, is also referred to as the ‘trial of the Champion. It is an American ‘Grade – I’ stake. It majorly takes place on the first or second Saturday of June at Belmont Park, in New York. It’s the longest of the three most taxing races, which put the horses’ speed off guard – a trait that typically benefits a racehorse. The Belmont Stakes is the most seasoned of the Triple Crown races, going back to 1867. The race is a true test of stamina and ability.
  2. The life expectancy of a horse – The normal racehorse lives for around 30 years, yet as far as their dashing career is concerned, they ordinarily resign at 15 years old. No racehorse beyond 18 years old at any point stands a chance to win a race. The age limit demonstrates that these athletic animals perform best in their prime. A racehorse can continuously run for four to five years and then has may have to retire.
  3. A notable game – Horse racing comes from European-Asian continent and there is confirmation that recommends that horse racing was a well known game as far back as 4,500BC. There are records of horse racing from antiquated history of Greece and Rome, with delineations on ceramics of chariot racing and even notices in works of literature from the age of Homer. Back in those days, it was known as ‘Chariot Racing.’
  4. The heavily weighed race – In general, a horse weighs something close to 1,000 pounds which places a racer’s activity into viewpoint. A better should keep in mind that they are riding tremendously strong and fast-moving creatures, that reach around 40 mph. The fact that safety should come first should be known to every horseback rider. Indeed, the rush might seem to be exciting but racehorses aren’t as easy to control.
  5. It was once illegal/banned from practice – During the sixteenth century, horse racing was really prohibited in the United Kingdom, and most of horses were retained by the administration for wars and fights only. They were seen as a status symbol, anyone who owned a horse was considered as rich or wealthy. But, they weren’t allowed to be used for recreational purposes such as racing. But with time and fortune, horse proprietors and racing fans did not adhere to the boycott of horse racing. Before long, horse racing recaptured its prevalence. Ever since then, horse racing has been an experience of joy. A lot of sports betting is also involved in horse racing from a very long time. It is also seen as a game played by the Royals, a game for the ‘blue-bloods.’

Though horse racing might seem fun and one experience worth recalling, there can be loopholes and bad practice. Enjoy yourself, pay respect to the trainers and horses and above all, be grateful for the sport.