Horse Racing History Article No 1

Horse Racing History Article # 1

Horse Racing - Back To It's Roots

You may or may not know that competitive horse racing is one of the most ancient sports on the planet. In fact, the origins of horse racing date back as far as the prehistoric nomads of Central Asia, who history tells us were the first to domesticate horses in around 4500 BC.

Throughout thousands of years, horse racing became known as the “sport of kings” – a term that is still referred to today when mentioning this magnificent sport. Because horse racing dates back thousands of years, much of what makes these horses so successful comes not only from a horse’s training, but also from it’s genetics and pedigree.

In horse racing, it would be fair to say that owning a top horse would be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Having a top performer in the sport that you love would be the ultimate for many a horse racing fanatic.

In fact in reality, the stakes are often so high and the money that is involved in owning a champion is potentially so great, that there are organizations and groups of people who may collectively invest into owning a race horse. A champion race horse is not only valuable throughout its career in racing, but it is extremely valuable once retired for breeding purposes.

Breeding a Champion

Although science has yet to develop a true method for using genetics to breed a guaranteed champion from an existing champion, breeders have over many centuries, produced a higher percentage of successful horses than would otherwise have been possible through the use of two basic principles of nature and evolution.

Thoroughbreds that are successful race horses and have superior racing ability, are far more likely to produce horses that also have superior racing ability. Horses who have little to no racing abilities or track record, are unlikely to be able to replicate this.

Horses with a particular pedigree, are far more likely to pass along their natural racing ability to their offspring, as opposed to horses with little or no pedigree who would stand much less of a chance of achieving this.

Male thoroughbreds, otherwise known as stallions, generally speaking have the highest value when it comes to breeding because they can impregnate up to 40 mares a year. Mares, on the other hand, have a much more limited breeding capacity since they must carry the foal to term and give birth.

In the world of champion horses, it’s the champions who have won the most esteemed races that carry the highest value. In the case of a great, great champion, breeding with a single mare can bring upwards of several million pounds, with some investors who own shares potentially reselling these shares at any point to other investors, in order to pocket a profit.

Article Author: Cliff Thurston

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