The Culture Of British Horse Racing: 9 Facts You Didn’t Know
Horse racing has an illustrious and long historical origin that makes up its heritage and culture. Today, horse racing has grown a lot, creating not only the most prominent horse racing events but paving the way for sports betting games. You can find them anywhere, and most of them are celebrated all-year-round.
The United Kingdom and the British colony have played a big role in making horse racing popular globally. Their horse racing formants and tournaments have served an inspiration not only to their boundaries, but also to other countries in the world like the U.S., Japan, and Dubai.
While the U.S. has the Triple Crown Series, which features Preakness Stakes 2020, U.K. horse racing has the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival. The entertainment and intensity it brings are purely exhilarating, making the fans, horses, and bettors get off on their feet. Here are nine facts to follow to give you some fine points about how significant U.K. horse racing looks like.
It’s U.K.’s Second-Best Sport
While football is the top sporting event that the British people celebrate each year, horse racing comes as the second choice. You can see more than a hundred thousand spectators taking part in the colorful horse racing fixtures during the National Hunt. Not only that, but the racing games are also massive, which features a million pounds purse prize.
British Horse Racing Isn’t Invented In U.K.
Horse racing and other modern sporting events did not come from the U.K. The influence only began in 200 A.D., which happened to be a horse racing tournament. The racehorses were started to get handicapped in Central Asia way back to 4500 B.C. and continuously passed from different cultures until it reached the British territory.
Horse Racing Has Contributed A Lot To The U.K.’s Economy
Every year, all British horse racing events generate a £3.7 billion revenue, which continuously boosts the U.K.’s economy. It comes from the major sponsorship, betting industry, and the income that tourists may bring when watching the leading horse racing show like Cheltenham Festival and The Grand National.
Flat Racing Is Bigger Compared To Jump Racing
Although the U.K.’s prominent horse racing festivals feature jump racing fixtures, flat racing still comes up huge when it comes to profit generation. Flat racing like the 2000 Guineas Stakes, QIPCO 1000, and the Invested Derby averages a yearly revenue of £17,744.28, unlike jump races, which only have £11, 072.49.
U.K. Horse Racing Is Called “Sports Kings”
During 1605, King James I gained a lot of interest in horse racing, which led him to convince the whole parliament to refocus his attention on this matter. He was the first British leader to form the New Market into a resort to start horse racing games. After that, his son Charles II continued his father’s legacy, which turned the venue to a British horse racing center today.
Live Show Is Always Exciting
It may sound ironic, but there are only a few T.V. stations that televise Britain’s stop horse racing events. That said, there is no better way of enjoying the full thrill and fun of watching British horse racing features, but going to the venue. You can’t only see an intense horse racing show, but you can participate in many activities it brings.
British Horse Racing Was Outlawed Once
During 1653- 1658, Oliver Cromwell banned horse racing tournaments in the U.K. During this 5-year drawback, the horse racing industry has silenced, and handicappers were not allowed to own a horse. After 1658, the British horse racing community did it’s best to get back up and has even grown bigger today.
Horses Are Vigorous Athletes
Horse racing is a unique sport since horses are the main superstars. Although they are trained and controlled by jockeys, a horse must be in his right form to compete. Their heartbeat is more vigorous than human; that’s why jump races can test their real ability.
The Original Breds Were Made For War
Three leading sires arrived in the U.K. during the 17th and 18 centuries. These three race horses were bred and made for war, so they are tough, healthy, and fast horses. These colts are named Godolphin Arabian, Byerley Turk, and Darley Arabian, which are bred to continue thriving many competent horses today.
Takeaway
Horse racing in the U.K. has nailed much significance since then. One of them is making an influence on many horse racing events, especially in the United States. Unlike in the U.S., horse racing games were straight and flat, British racehorses are bred to pass obstacles called jump racing. Whether you are an avid horse racing fan or not, the culture it brings can indeed carry you to cloud nine.