A History Of Horse Racing
All around the world millions of people tune in to watch the Kentucky Derby horse race on their TV sets. The derby is a modern version of a racing sport that took place centuries ago. One can commence a history of horse racing by discussing that ancient sport of racing chariots but that does not give a full picture of how we view horse racing today. Nowadays people do not need to go to the Hippodrome and watch horses rushing violently around the track with chariot in tow.
I am sure you have heard of Henry VIII, king of England in the early 16th century. He is probably best known for his many wives. But he also had plenty of horses. The king would send agents on missions to Italy, Spain and North Africa to bring back those areas’ finest horses. His new additions would then be raced against other nobles’ horses. It is from Henry the Eighth and his races from which the phrase “sport of kings” likely derived.
Jumping ahead more than two centuries and crossing the Atlantic to England’s colony of America, horse racing became an institution, most notably in Kentucky. It was here that virtually every major settlement had a stretch of land off the main thoroughfare that was dedicated to racing horses. Moreover, Kentucky’s first Jockey Club had as one of its founders the famous statesman Henry Clay.
Kentucky is home to Churchill Downs, one of the best known tracks on the planet, where the Kentucky Derby takes place. Col. M. Lewis Clark, grandson of William Clark, the explorer, founded the track and named it after one of his uncles who was a major financial contributor.
The racetrack officially opened in May of 1875 and offered three races. The Clark Handicap was a race for any horse three and up. The Kentucky Oaks featured three year old fillies and the Kentucky Derby was the main event for three year old colts. These races still take place today.
During the 1950′s massive developments and improvements were made to the track. Barns were built with concrete firewalls. The grandstand and clubhouse were equipped with automated sprinkler systems. In 1954 film for replay of the races were put in to aid judges in determining winners.
Over the years, visitors have come from all over the globe to watch the strongest and fastest horses compete. Equines named Barbaro, Secretariat, Citation and Kelso are a few of the greats that will be remembered forever.
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