Thoroughbreds
"The Sport of Kings"
Thoroughbred racing is one of the worlds most watched and entertaining sports. Millions of spectators around the world enjoy and cherish an afternoon or evening of exciting thoroughbred action. The drama that unfolds in every stretch drive is truly captivating as these beautiful equine athletes charge to the wire.
Standing trackside is breathtaking; picking a winner is even more fun and allows you to be part of the action. These beautiful animals have captured and entertained millions of people for decades. Watching these equine athletes locally or on Breeders Cup day is astonishing. On the first Saturday in May the world looks forward to the greatest two minutes in sports - the Kentucky Derby.
The sport of thoroughbred racing has a long and distinguished past, and an afternoon or evening at the races can easily be part of your immediate future.
History - East Meets West
The Thoroughbred breed began in England more than 300 years ago, when native English mares which were stronger and yet docile were bred to three stallions imported from the Mediterranean Middle East. The result was the Thoroughbred: a horse that can carry weight with sustained speed over extended distances.
Since the 1700's, the pedigree of every registered Thoroughbred has been recorded in detail. Ancestry of all Thoroughbreds today can be traced through the male line to one or more of these three stallions--the Godolphin Barb, the Darley Arabian or the Byerly Turk. All Middle Eastern stallions named for their respective owners, Lord Godolphin, Thomas Darley and Captain Robert Byerly.
The Byerly Turk (1680-1696) (captured from the Turks in Hungary), was brought to England by Colonel Robert Byerley. Due to a printer's error, the horse's name was registered in the General Stud Book without the final "e".
The Godolphin Arabian (1724-1753) given by the Bey of Tunis to the King of France, was purchased by Edward Coke and subsequently presented to the Earl of Godolphin, at whose stud he sired the champion mare Aelima, imported to Maryland in 1750.
The Darley Arabian (1700-1733) Thomas Darley sent this Arabian stallion from Syria to England. Ninety percent of all Thoroughbreds today are descended through his son Flying Childre and his great-great grandson Eclipse.
Since these early days, breeders have been trying to create the perfect Thoroughbred -- a horse that's elegant, agile, athletic, intelligent, courageous and fast.
Racing Style - Go Baby Go!!!
A thoroughbred has a jockey on his/her back and gallops when racing. Thoroughbreds are bred to run different distances, which commonly range from 6 Furlongs (3/4 of a mile) to 12 Furlongs a mile and a half. Thoroughbreds are not as durable as harness horses and typically do not run as often.
This form of racing is probably the most familiar to new fans given its prominent television presence through the Kentucky Derby, the Queens Plate and the Breeders Cup.
Links
For more information on thoroughbred horses, visit the Daily Racing Form website, the NTRA website or the HBPA Alberta Division website.
