General insights into this major professional sport.

Horse Racing

Horse racing today exists primarily for gambling. It is a major professional sport in the UK, Canada, Europe, Australia New Zealand, South Africa and South America.

History

Horse racing is one of the most ancient sports, with origins in Central Asia about 4500BC.

It has featured prominently as an organized sport in all ancient civilizations. Chariot and mounted horse racing were important events in the ancient Greek Olympics.

It was introduced into the UK by Crusaders who returned with swift arab stallions to breed speed and endurance into native stock. The sport really took off during the reign of Queen Anne (1702-14) with racecourses springing up all over England. Large prizes made it profitable to own and race horses. In 1711 Queen Anne founded Ascot, one of the worlds greatest race courses.

In 1750 the Jockey Club was formed which has continued to this day to exercise complete control over English racing. Since 1793 members of the Weatherby family have recorded the pedigree of every foal in the General Stud Book. The pedigree of every horse can be traced back to three stallions, called the "foundation sires." These stallions were the Byerley Turk, foaled c.1679; the Darley Arabian, foaled c.1700; and the Godolphin Arabian, foaled c.1724.

Today breeding syndicates invest in champion stallions, with approximately 40 shares, each entitled to breed one mare to the stallion each year, and may well cost several million pounds a share.

Racing partnerships

Joining a Racing Partnership is one of the best ways to get involved in the Racing Industry. A good partnership allows you to enjoy all the benefits of horse ownership while greatly reducing the financial risk of the venture. In this way almost anyone can enjoy the thrill of owning a racehorse.

Famous feats by Jockeys

The Magnificent 7:

At Ascot on the 28th September 1996, Dettori rode every winner through an incredibly difficult card. The now famous seven winners were: Wall Street (Cumberland Lodge Stakes), Diffident (Diadem Stakes), Decorated Hero (Tote Festival Handicap), Fatefully (Rosemary Rated Stakes), Lochangel (Blue Seal Conditions Stakes) and Fujiyama Crest (Gordon Carter Handicap). The startling achievement was alleged to have cost the bookmaking industry millions, with many small staked multiple bets yielding returns in their thousands.

Early promise:

Mick Kinane’s first winner, Musicari at Leopardstown came at the age of fifteen - now one of the most successful jockeys in the world, with over 60 group one winners, including over 20 Classic winners

Amazing riding:

Kevin Darley’s bridle snapped in the 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes. With no apparent means to steer Coastal Bluff he deadheated into first place.

Awesome achievement.

Pat Eddery has been champion jockey 11 times, riding a 100 winners in one season no less than 27 times.

Famous Horses

There have been many horses which have achieved fame and fortune, but for

the general public the ones that always spring to mind are Aldaniti and Red Rum.

Aldaniti

Josh Gifford bought Aldaniti at the Ascot sale in May 1974 and performed wonders during training. Bob Champion had been given eight months to live after being diagnosed with cancer. Throughout his long illness ,Bob Champion continued to watch Aldaniti's progress as Gifford had made a promise to Bob Champion that his job as stable jockey would be there following his recovery.

On the 4th April 1981 Champion and Aldaniti set out to win the Grand National. By the 11th fence the pair had taken the lead. Their joint dream came true, both had overcome all to win the Grand National and Aldaniti was the first winner since Sundew in 1957 to lead throughout the final circuit. The public rejoiced at the dream come true.

Red Rum

Red Rum was bought with a second horse, Curlicue, for just £400. Red Rum had some foot problems (pedalostitis) that his trainer Donald (Ginger) McCain treated by galloping him in the shallow surf of the sea.

Red Rum is the only horse in the history of the Grand National Steeplechase to win the race three times, and to make that feat further astonishing, he ran in it two other times and was second. He is buried in a special grave next to the winning post at Aintree racetrack, scene of his fame. The public mourned his passing, as he had become a star, with many public engagements throughout his 30 years.

Outstanding partnerships

Kieren Fallon(jockey) and Henry Cecil (trainer)

Beginning in 1997 it proved one of the most successful partnerships in the UK. Fallon became champion jockey in his first season with Cecil, with 202 winners including classic success on Sleepytime in the 1000 Guineas and Reams of Verse in the Oaks. Fallon retained the championship in 1998 with 204 winners and 1999 with 202 successful rides. In 1999, Fallon and Henry Cecil parted company.