Horse racing is not only a popular sport, it’s also one of the most popular ways to gamble in the United States. However, enjoyment of the sport isn’t limited to people who like to play the books, and hundreds of thousands of people still tune in to watch the country’s best-known horse races.
That said, if you are someone who is considering betting on a few races, it’s always best to understand the sport thoroughly first. So, to get you started, here are 6 facts about the horse racing industry in the United States that you may not have heard of before.
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It’s Been Around for Hundreds of Years
Though the sport itself dates back to about 4500 BC, horse racing has been an intrinsic part of American culture since around the 1600s. The Belmont Stakes, the oldest of the Triple Crown races, was first run in 1867 in Jerome Park in New York state. However, competitive racing has been part of American culture since its introduction, and a North vs. South horse racing rivalry has existed since the first such race was run (in 1823) up to the Civil War.
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Betting is a Crucial Part
People have been betting on horse races almost since the first race was run. It’s an extremely popular sport to wager on because of how quick it is to get the results, and this large amount of wagering has contributed significantly to the sport’s popularity.
In the early 1900s, anti-gambling sentiment led to a ban on official betting on horse racing. While unofficial bets likely continued to be made, the lack of legal backing nearly resulted in the cessation of the sport in the country altogether. Luckily, these laws were changed swiftly, and, according to BettingUSA.com, betting on horse racing and betting on them online is legal in much of the country. In 2021, the legal wagering handle was over $12 billion.
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The Triple Crown is the Pinnacle of Achievement
The most successful American racehorses are those that have won the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is a series of three races open to thoroughbred horses, and winning all three is considered the pinnacle of success in the American racing world for both the horse and the jockey.
The three races that make up the Triple Crown accomplishment are, from youngest to oldest, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby is the “newest” of the races and was first run in 1875. Since then, only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown. When it comes to jockeys, only 12 people have managed this achievement.
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The Industry is Under a Lot of Pressure
As popular understanding of animal welfare changes, the horse racing industry is coming under a lot of pressure for the way the horses are treated. Many animal advocates claim that not only is horse racing inherently cruel towards the animals, but the way the industry has evolved to treat racehorses today is only compounding this cruelty.
At the same time, it’s essential to note that betting on horse races is more popular than ever – the above-mentioned legal wagering handle in 2021 was the highest ever. Given these numbers, the industry’s largest challenge is not the risk of a decrease in gambling but rather that public pressure could result in changes to laws regulating horse racing.
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There is No National Regulator
Unlike other sports, horse racing is not overseen by a single countrywide regulator. Due to this, rules around medications given to horses, especially prior to races, are only regulated because of the federal Horseracing Integrity Act. Even this act is a relatively new development and was signed in 2020. The act introduces a new national authority that oversees thoroughbred horse racing. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority commences operations in 2022.
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Achievements are Honored in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The achievements of key racehorses, jockeys, and trainers that helped make the industry as profitable as it is today are honored in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, located in New York state. Honorees in the Hall of Fame include 12 of the horses that have won the Triple Crown – under current rules, the earliest year that the newest winner, Justify, can be included in the Hall is 2023, 5 full years after his retirement.
Additionally, 10 of the 12 jockeys that have won the Triple Crown are also included in the Hall of Fame. The two winners who are not part of the Hall are Warren Mehrtens, who won the Triple Crown in 1846, and Jean Cruguet, who won in 1977.
The horse racing industry in the United States boasts a rich, complex history that continues to this day. Indeed, there’s much more to it than thoroughbred racing, though these races are certainly the best known. Other forms of horse races include harness races, and there are also races for other types of horses, including standardbred, Arabian horses, and quarter horses.
