Horse racing is one of the oldest of all sports, and while there have been some disputes over where and when it originated, the basics are the same. It developed from the primitive desire to prove the superiority of one over the other; a contest of speed or stamina between two or more horses to determine who the best would be.
Horses were raced against each other in medieval times as far back as the Olympic Games Of Greece (400 BC) and the Roman Empire (27 BC). Later, organised racing was recorded in places like China, Arabia, and other sections of the Middle East and North Africa, hence the early development of horsemanship in those areas.
Today, horseracing is a worldwide spectacle involving large fields of runners, sophisticated speed tracking equipment, and large amounts of money offered as stakes, but its essential feature has always been the same: the horse that finishes first is the star of the moment! The opportunities to bet on horses have increased with the advent of modern technology. Perhaps 80% of all races around the globe are televised on dedicated channels and a variety of betting types are offered on a multitude of platforms.
There are many different types of horse races, all with unique histories and cultures behind them, but the primary kinds are flat racing, steeplechasing, harness racing, and endurance racing
Flat racing, as it is popularly known in the United Kingdom, takes place at racecourses without obstacles. This is day-to-day racing as we know it also in other parts of Europe, the United States, Dubai, Australia, Singapore and South Africa. They are contested by thoroughbreds on sand, turf or synthetic surfaces.
Steeplechasing (Jumps) includes jumps over obstacles by thoroughbreds. The UK and Ireland are renowned for the world’s great steeplechases.
Harness Racing (Trots), feature horses pulling a cart (sulky), especially popular in Australia and Norway.
Endurance races involve contests over extreme distances, marathons popular in Northern Africa and the Middle East.
The different types of horse racing events produce periodic revered champions and selecting them at auctions and training them is regarded as a science involving factors such as genetic makeup, special feed types, regimental track exercise, swimming and even treadmill work
Betting on horses has been described as ‘the most intellectually challenging pastime known to man’, which makes studying race form and betting winners wonderfully satisfying hobbies, or professional activities for some.
Horse racing betting at Betway
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