Horse racing is a competitive sport that involves the use of two horses, usually ridden by a jockey, and they compete over a set distance. There are several types of horse races, including the Mongol Derby, the Palio di Siena, and the Quarter Horse Derby.

Thoroughbred

Thoroughbreds are bred to run fast. They are well-distributed in weight, which helps them to maintain a fast pace. But, these horses are also known for their stubborn streak. If you are thinking of buying a Thoroughbred, you will find that they can be very difficult to train.

A Thoroughbred’s average life span is around 25-30 years. Most retired race horses become fine family riding horses. In addition, they are used for show jumping and combined training.

The breed spread into Europe and South America during the 18th and 19th centuries. By the end of the Civil War, interest in thoroughbred horse racing had waned due to gambling activities and economic problems.

After World War II, the commercial breeding industry began to thrive. Thoroughbreds are often crossbred to produce new breeds.

Arabian

The Arabian horse is known for its endurance and speed. These qualities made them ideal war horses. They were also used for pleasure riding. Today, they are also used for long distance trail competitions.

There are many Arabian horse race meetings in the United States and Canada. Some are rated as the best in the world.

In the United States, there are more than 700 all-Arabian races every year. The top Arabians are rewarded with the Darley Award, which honors the most outstanding Arabian thoroughbreds.

One of the top-rated Arabians is Al Mourtajez. He won the Qatar Arabian World Cup in October. He is ranked the #1 Arabian racehorse by earnings.

Another runner to watch is Maroki. He is a young stallion with Egyptian bloodlines. His wins include several major races in Morocco.

Quarter Horse

Quarter Horse racing is a popular sport in the United States. This breed of horse has been bred for speed and agility, and is especially good at running short distances. It is also known for its great photo finishes.

The origins of the Quarter Horse lie in the early days of the American colonies. English horses arrived in Virginia and Rhode Island around 1610. These horses were crossbred with Native American horses, and the result was the American Quarter Horse.

As the pioneers headed west, they needed a hardy, fast horse. To meet this need, they crossed English ponies with semi-wild horses, which had strong hindquarters and a deep chest.

Eventually, these crossbred horses became part of the earliest American studbooks. They also became a race-bred breed.

Palio di Siena

The Palio di Siena horse race is one of Italy’s most famous annual sports events. It takes place twice a year in July and August, in the town of Siena.

Before the Palio, a two-hour historical costume procession takes place. A benediction ceremony for the horses is also held. Each horse and jockey must receive the priest’s blessing.

On race day, the first horse to finish after three rounds of racing is declared the winner. It is then taken to the Siena Cathedral for a mass of thanksgiving.

In addition to the horse and jockey, there are also seventeen contrade competing in the race. Contrade are neighborhoods or districts within the city. They each have their own colors, scarves, and names. These allies and rivals may change over time.

Mongol Derby

The Mongol Derby is an equestrian endurance race that is considered to be the longest in the world. It is a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) ride through the Mongolian Steppe. Originally conceived by Genghis Khan, the equestrian competition follows the horse messenger system he pioneered in 1224.

It is estimated that only about half of the participants finish the race. There are more than 40 riders from 13 countries, including three Canadians.

For the past few days, the riders have been battling the elements. Luckily, the race is not over yet. In fact, there are still eight horse stations to go before the finish line.

Of the 41 riders in the race, only six have made it beyond the third horse station. They are a mix of Swedes, Canadians and Aussies.