When Did Horse Races Begin?

Using horses for racing seems to be one of the oldest sports enjoyed by man. Race between horses were run in very ancient times. They were held in Egypt, Babylonia, and Syria. Homer described a Greek chariot race that took place about eight centuries before the birth of Christ.

But modern horse racing as we know it originated in England, and it had to do with the development in England of the thoroughbred horse. There were horse races in England as early as the 12th century, but it was in the late17th and early 18th century that the breeding of horse for sport really began.

Eastern horses were brought to England from Arabia, Turkey, and Persia. Stallions from theses country were bred to England mares. Three of these Stallions were very important. They were called the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian, and the Byerly Turk. The lineage of very modern registered thoroughbred traces back to all three in the male line!

During the 18th century horse racing became an important English sport. The Jockey club was established in 1751.And in 1793 the first issue of the “General Stud Book,” which list the lineage of thoroughbreds, was issued.

Horse racing has long been known as the “The sport of King.” This is because English loyalty has owned and raced champion horses, and because royalty and wealthy people in other countries have been involved with the sport.