During a horse race, there are two or more horses, each with a jockey, that compete over a fixed distance. During the race, the jockeys ride the horses over the course of the distance, and then attempt to win the competition. If the jockey wins the race, he or she receives a prize.
The Kentucky Derby
Often referred to as the most prestigious horse race in the country, the Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The race is part of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, which includes the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
The Kentucky Derby is held on a dirt track. It’s a competitive race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. A field of 20 horses compete for prize money.
The Kentucky Derby has a rich history. It was first run in 1875. In 1896, the race length was reduced to a scant 1.25 miles. The resulting spectacle was called “The Run for the Roses” by 1932.
The Kentucky Derby has been a huge draw, with more than 150,000 people filling the stands at Churchill Downs each year. The winning horse’s owners receive more than $1 million.
The Belmont Stakes
Typically held on the first or second Saturday in June, the Belmont Stakes is the final leg of the Triple Crown of American horse racing. The race is one and a half miles long and is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The undercard includes eight Grade 1 races and a $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap.
The Belmont Stakes is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse races in the world. It is often called the “Test of the Champion” or the “Run for the Carnations” because it is awarded to the winner a blanket of white carnations. The winner will also receive a silver trophy designed by American jeweler George Paulding Farnham.
This year’s field of horses is relatively small, with only eight horses entered. Only two of the horses in the field have won the Derby or Preakness.
The 5 English Classics
Known as the British Classics, these five races are the most popular horse racing competitions in the UK. They represent the pinnacle of British Flat racing and are extremely important to British sports. They also attract substantial international audiences and generate billions of pounds in revenue.
The St Leger, which started in 1776, is the oldest of the five Classic English horse races. It’s a race for three-year-old colts and fillies. The race is held in September at Doncaster racecourse in Yorkshire. It is also the only Classic race to be held on a private course.
The 2,000 Guineas is the first of the five British Classics and features the best three-year-old milers. It takes place over a mile of straight track. This race is also the most valuable horse race in Britain.
Harness racing
Often called the “horse racing sport,” harness racing is a form of racing that takes place around an oval track. Harness racing is popular in nearly 30 countries. Most races are held at distances of one mile.
Typically, harness races are held at smaller, rural tracks. In addition, there are some larger, modern tracks.
Harness racing is popular around the world and attracts millions of fans. The sport has been around for many years, but has recently become more specialized. Today, the sport consists of horses that compete in trot or pace. Pacers are faster than trotters, and pacers are more likely to keep a straight stride. Pacers wear hobbles, which help them maintain their gait. Pacers also carry a “Jockey” and a “driver.”
In harness racing, a driver steers a horse. In most cases, the horse is tethered to a light cart called a “sulky” or “bike”. The sulky is a two-wheeled cart that is attached to the horse’s saddle.
The Breeders’ Cup
Traditionally held in the US, the Breeders’ Cup horse race is one of the richest days of sports. In recent years, attendance has trailed the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. The event attracts the biggest names in the sport from around the globe. The two-day racing festival features 14 Grade One races.
The Breeders’ Cup pays out $31 million in purses. Depending on the host track, attendance varies. It’s held at different locations each year, including Louisville, KY, Santa Anita, CA, and Del Mar, CA. The average Thoroughbred racehorse runs five times a year.
The Breeders’ Cup has eight races. The two-day event will be held November 4-5. The main event is the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is a Grade 1 race.
The Breeders’ Cup has also created a challenge to determine the best horse in its class. This challenge requires a horse to accumulate six points in a series of American or Canadian Graded Stakes races. The stronger contenders qualify based on their point total.