If you’ve ever watched a horse race, you’ve surely heard about the controversy surrounding the presidential election. Despite the fact that horse races are a relatively new phenomenon, the political press has been busy charting the positions of the 2020 presidential ponies. But what are the benefits of such coverage? Here are some examples. This article will explore both the pros and cons of horse race coverage. And, of course, you’ll get to know the horse and the jockey, too!
The Grand National is one of the most famous horse races in British culture. While many people don’t bet on horse races, many of the world’s best jockeys are British. Horse racing is regulated in the United Kingdom by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), though its authority does not extend to Ireland. In Ireland, horse racing is governed on an All-Ireland basis. Although British jockeys dominate the Grand National, Irish horses are much less popular in this country.
The earliest races were conducted by amateurs. However, it was the British who facilitated organized racing in the colonies. In 1664, Col. Richard Nicolls laid out a two-mile course on Long Island. It was modeled after a British racecourse called Newmarket. He offered a silver cup to the winner of each race. This tradition continued until the American Civil War, when speed became the focus of racing. In these early days, the American Thoroughbred had the hallmark of excellence in stamina. After the Civil War, racing became more competitive and speed became the goal of the game.
The races are divided into several categories. First-time starters run over a specific claiming price, while state-bred horses are allowed to run on a dead track. Specialty races, like the three-day Derby, feature horses in a handicap. As such, the winner of a handicap race is decided by the claiming price and not by the time of the start. Moreover, the winner of the race receives a diploma.
In the nineteenth century, horse races were regulated by rules. For example, in the King’s Plates, horses carrying 168 pounds had to win one heat to advance to the next. Then, in 1751, five-year-olds and four-year-olds were allowed to run, too. Heat races continued until the 1860s. This practice was eventually abandoned. The emergence of standardized races made the sport more competitive.
Pari-mutuel bets in horse racing have followed a similar history. In the nineteenth century, horse races centered on a horse that will win and a runner-up. This system led to the establishment of bookmaking, which helped set the odds in the bettors’ favor. Finally, in the 20th century, racetrack managements started a common betting pool. The bettors share the funds with the track management.
As the game of horse racing evolved, governments stepped in. With the emergence of offtrack betting, governments in France, England, and Australia became involved in the wagering industry. While this helped racing, it also gave rise to illegal bookmaking. In the United States, illegal offtrack bookmaking was a province of organized crime. By the late 20th century, the numbers of offtrack betting parlors began to increase. However, in Hong Kong, betting is still prohibited.