What is Thoroughbred Racing?

Thoroughbred racing is a sport that involves the racing of thoroughbred horses. The sport is governed by different racing bodies in different countries around the world. There are two main types of thoroughbred racing including National Hunt Racing and flat racing. Most of the famous American races are of the flat variety.

In the US, the Jockey Club maintains the American Stud Book and it is responsible for approving all thoroughbred names. It is the expert on pedigree matters and also undertakes racing color registration. Government entities sanction racing in the American states. These government entities also perform other functions such as licensing, setting the dates for racing, and enforcing restrictions on drugs, etc.

The Horse Race Handicappers website is a goldmine of information on thoroughbred racing. You can find a lot of information on American thoroughbred racing on the site and on making informed selections for any horse races. If you want to buy our top picks package see our horse racing picks packages online or contact us.

The Origins of Thoroughbred Racing

The first thoroughbreds were bred in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, by mating native mares with oriental stallions. In the US, the first racing track was built in 1665 on Long Island while the first thoroughbred was brought to the American colonies in 1730. By about 1890, there were hundreds of racing tracks in the Unites States. Great thoroughbred horses like Man o' War, War Admiral, Sea Biscuit, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed have contributed to the development of the thoroughbred racing in the United States.

A thoroughbred horse is a slim, tall horse averaging sixteen hands (a hand is about four inches). There are some thoroughbreds that are shorter than fifteen hands as well. Thoroughbreds have wide eyes set in a well chiseled head, low set tails, and deep chests. Their tails and manes are thin. They come in many colors although bay predominates. There are also rare colors such as white, sabino, and palomino. A thoroughbred's dam and sire and very important and it may indicate how the horse will perform in thoroughbred racing events.

The thoroughbreds that are employed in thoroughbred racing usually begin racing when they are about two years old. In fact, some of the most prominent races in the US such as the Kentucky Derby are for three year old colts, fillies, and geldings.

Types of Thoroughbred Racing

There are basically four types of flat races for thoroughbreds in the U.S. These include:

• Maiden races for thoroughbred horses that have not yet won a race
• Claiming races where a person can claim or buy a horse out of a race for a price
• Allowance races with higher purses and strict rules and conditions
• The stakes of thoroughbred racing

All of the big races held in the U.S. are stakes type races and this includes the Triple Crown races for three year old thoroughbreds. Thoroughbred racing also includes races such as the Breeder's Cup Classic which carries a purse of $5 million or tiara races such as Kentucky Oaks and Acorn Stakes. The Dixie Stakes is another famous and old race.

The greatest achievement in thoroughbred racing in the U.S. is winning the Triple Crown Trophy, given to the thoroughbred that wins all Triple Crown races (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes) in a year. Only eleven thoroughbred racing horses have managed to win the Triple Crown Trophy till date and the last win was more than thirty four years ago.

Learn More About Betting On Thoroughbred Racing from Horse Race Handicappers

If you want tips for betting on a horse or more information on thoroughbred racing, you can find this on the Horse Race Handicappers website. To know which horse has the highest odds of winning a particular upcoming race, you can also buy one of our horse racing picks packages online.