Horse Racing And Its Various Forms

Horse racing is one spectator sport that attracts large crowds and this is partially due to the chance it offers to legally gamble. Most people think of horseracing as consisting of only one form. Surprisingly, there are many and some of them are listed here.

There is Harness Racing which has come to us from the chariot races in olden days. It involves a horse drawing a two-wheeled cart behind it, with a rider on the cart. A unique feature of this form of racing is that the horse has to run at a specified gait. This form of racing calls for strategy more than speed. Since all the horses run at the same gait, tis means tactics are important to win. There are two gaits used in harness racing- pacing and trotting.

In Pacing, the horses move their legs laterally. What this means is that the right foreleg and the right hind-leg strike the ground simultaneously followed by the left foreleg and left hind-leg striking the ground simultaneously. Most harness racing of today is of this variety, because it is more exciting.

Horses can run faster when pacing as the gait comes naturally to them. Due to this they can run uninterruptedly. When the horse breaks stride and starts to gallop, it is slowed back down so it can regain the desired gait.

In Trotting, the horse moves its legs diagonally; this means that its right foreleg and left back leg hit the ground simultaneously alternated by the other set of legs. This form of harness racing is less popular, but can be seen on and off.

Then comes the sport of kings – Thoroughbred racing and this is the most popular form of horse racing in the world. It draws millions of enthusiasts and billions of dollars of money annually. People throughout the world bet, win and lose fortunes on this form of horse racing.

It is one of the most exciting in of all racing as the competing horses are bred for speed. The prize money and stakes are higher than for any other form of racing. The purse and stakes are higher because thoroughbred racing draws the maximum crowds, causing a positive, reinforcing circle of chain events.

There are subcategories under this main category of racing such as Maiden racing for untested horses racing for the first time. This form of racing attracts the attention of bettors who like the idea of all horses starting even and offering exciting choices for betting.

Another subcategory is the Graded Stakes Race, where horses are graded as per their class. Horses competing in these events are roughly of the same age, gender and class offering a fairly evenly matched field.

Normally high class horses, attracting high-class prizes, like The Classics, The Derby etc. run these races. A great deal of cash exchanges hands during these races.