The long and illustrious history of horseracing has developed a spot with a rich heritage full of intriguing tales and remarkable statistics.
Britain has played a central role in sports development. It’s absorbed in their culture perhaps deeper than anywhere else in the world. Still, it is a sport in which one needs to keep on learning. This makes the horse racing sport even more exciting.
Here are the 7 most amazing facts about horse racing that makes it a remarkable and much-loved world sport.
1 Horse racing is the second most loved sport after football in Britain
Horse racing is quite a popular sport in Britain which is only surpassed by football in perspective to active spectators.
It holds over six million fans passing through the turnstiles at racecourses around the country each year. Horse racing holds widespread popularity in Britain and around the globe.
2 Horse Racing Originated in Central Asia
Did you know horse racing originated in nomadic tribes in central Asia? Many individuals believe that horse racing is invented in Britain or America, but to your surprise, nomadic tribesmen used to race their horses in central Asia since 4500 BC, while the first horseback contests on England Soil took place in about 200 AD.
3 Horse Racing is a million-dollar economy
The British horseracing industry is a world leader, generating more than £3.7 billion for the country’s economy thanks in part to iconic events like The Randox Health Grand National and the Cheltenham Fiesta, which are witnessed by masses around the world.
4 Racing is the sport of kings
King James, took such a deep interest in racing that in 1605, he was urged by parliament to refocus his attention on running the country. It was King James who settled Newmarket as a royal resort and initiated racing horses in the town; still, it was his son Charles II who made Newmarket into the heart of world horse racing.
5 Horses are known to be the most athletic of all animals.
Although the human heart beasts between 60 and 100 times per minute at rest, thoroughbred racehorses have resting heart rates of just 40 beats per minute.
6 It’s not easy to become a Jockey
Although many dreams of a career in racing, only a few get the chance to rid of a living. As per sources in November 2021, there were about 562 professional jockeys in the UK.
7 Race Horses Came from War Horse bread
As per historical evidence, the three founding sires of Thoroughbred racing in England. During the 17th and 18th centuries, having been bred for war overseas Darley Arabian, the Byriey Turk, and Godolphin Arabian were fast powerful horses, and they were bred with local mares to create the Thoroughbred lineage that continues to thrive today.