Types of Horse Racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has been popular throughout the centuries. Horse racing is one of the most attended and most enjoyed sports events in the world. Many people do not realize that there are different types of horse racing. The following is a list of some of the various forms of horse racing that are currently practiced throughout the world:

Harness Horse Racing: This type of horse racing is popular in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and North America. It involves the horses pulling the jockey on a two-wheeled cart. This form of horse racing requires strategy as much as speed. There are two types of this form of horse racing which is based on the gait used: Pacing consists of horses running faster with shorter breaks during a race. When a horse starts to gallop, it must be slowed until it can regain the gait. In Trotting, horses move their legs diagonally, meaning that the right front leg and the left hind leg hit the ground at the same time.

The Standardbred is recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability. Standardbreds are best known for their ability to harness race at a trot or pace form. They are solid, well-built horses with good dispositions. Standardbreds are relatively intelligent animals.

Thoroughbred Racing: Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide event that involves the racing of thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: flat racing and jump racing. Jump racing can be further divided into hurdling and steeple chasing. Horses competing in this form of racing are faster than those in other equestrian events. It is a popular sport with gamblers. The distances of the race can vary from 3/4 mile to more than two miles. Speed is a major factor with thoroughbred racing. It involves high-quality horses and prestigious prizes. Horses competing in these types of events are often of the same class, gender, and age.

Quarter-Horse Racing: This type of event involves the racing of horses at great speed for short distances on a straight course. It got its name quarter-horse because the race originally ran a quarter of a mile. It is a much newer sport because its governing body was not formed until the 1940s. The classic distance of a Quarter Horse race is 440 yards (400 m), but races are run anywhere between 100 and 1,000 yards (91 and 910 m). Quarter Horses are faster than Thoroughbreds, but run shorter distances. American Quarter Horses are shorter and more muscular than Thoroughbreds.

Stakes Races: This type of race involves the best horses. These events have the highest purses Races run from small purses of a few thousand dollars to the Breeders' Cup Classic for $5 million. There are three grades controlled by the Graded Stakes Committee, insuring a Grade 1, 2, or 3 race event. Most midsize or larger tracks will have at least one grade 3 race while larger tracks such as Churchill Downs or Belmont Park will have several of all grades.

Major horse racetracks in the US include Saratoga Springs, New York, Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, Belmont Park in Elmont, New York (outside New York City on Long Island,) and Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky. The latest major horse track opened in the US was the Meadowlands Racetrack opened in 1977 for thoroughbred racing. It is the home of the Meadowlands Cup

Being one of the oldest racing sports, horse racing fever has spread throughout the world. It is a thrilling event for horse racing fans of all ages.