How Did Horse Racing Begin?

The bond between people and horses was formed thousands of years ago. Horses allowed people to travel, herd livestock, and, in some cases, even provide nourishment to early civilisations that milked the animals. Sometime along the way, people began to race horses. This was a natural transition, given the thrill of riding and the desire for entertainment. Eventually, this led to the organised horse racing industry we know today, characterised by its pomp, circumstance, and gambling.

As civilisations evolved, so did our relationship with horses and racing. From the earliest beginnings to present-day racing, we’ll share how horse racing came to be.

The Beginning of Human and Horse Relationships

The earliest evidence of people riding horses appeared in art dating to approximately 2000 BCE. That is until a recently published study revealed horseback riding may have begun a thousand years earlier than this, in 3000 BCE.

A study of the remains of the Yamnaya people, who originated from modern-day Russia and spread across Eurasia, revealed indications of horseback riding through bone markings, indicative of ‘horseman syndrome’. Horseback riding wears down bones in the pelvis, hips, and lower back in ways that can be specifically identified in frequent riders. Archaeologists found four of the six indicators of horseman syndrome on some of Yamnaya remains and have concluded that these people may have been among the first to mount horses.

It’s unlikely that racing would have begun at this time, as the horses would not have been domesticated to the level needed for such intense activity. The horses were likely ridden to cross great distances and aid the expansion of the Yamnaya across Europe and Asia. Likely, these early horses and people helped lay significant groundwork for the domestication of horses and building the human-horse connection that remains prevalent for many today.

The Early Beginnings of Racing

Evidence of chariot wheels and more apparent signs of horseback riding, most notably images depicting riders on horses, was found around 2000 BCE. These developments indicate early foundational activities that would later connect to the earliest known horse racing events: Greece’s Olympic Games from 700 to 40 BCE. These racing events included horses hitched to four-wheel chariots and horses being ridden bareback.

Greece is not the only early civilisation believed to have participated in horse racing. Arabia, China, Persia, and other Middle Eastern countries are believed to have been early adopters of the sport, though evidence of specific timelines has yet to be uncovered.

During the Crusades, which began in 1095 CE and continued to the late 1200s CE, the early ancestors of thoroughbred horses celebrated today, such as Arabian, Barb, and Turk horses, were introduced to Europeans. The sale of such horses is credited with the beginning of organised horse racing during the Middle Ages. One of the first races with a prize was recorded during the rule of Richard the Lionheart (between 1189 and 1199), featuring a 4.8-kilometre course and an award of £40. This also marked the beginning of the close connection between horse racing and breeding with royalty.

Racing Development Through the Ages

Under Charles II’s reign in the mid-1600s, the King’s Plate was born, and Newmarket became the hub for thoroughbred horse racing—something the town remains known for today. The rules for Charles II’s racing events were the first formal horse racing rules in the UK and were built on for future racing events. Early rules dictated the age of the horses competing and how much weight they needed to carry.

From the mid-1600s to early 1700s in France, gambling and horse racing became closely connected as gambling at the time was popular in the country. Louis XVI developed a jockey club and set the standard for tracing horse lineages for organised events, leading to the significance of bloodlines and studbooks in horse racing. These are still carefully tracked in present-day racing.

When Europeans colonised the Americas, they brought with them horses and horse racing, establishing courses, rules, and excitement for the sport in these newly colonised regions. It also saw a deviation in how horses were bred. In the Americas, stamina was prioritised, while in Europe, speed took precedence.

Modern-Day Racing

Today, horse racing is a worldwide activity. For many countries, it has long been one of the few legal and socially acceptable ways to gamble. The same technology that allows you to make deposits at mobile slots also allows people from all over the world to place wagers on races.

Moreover, competitions like the Royal Ascot, the Kentucky Derby, and the Grand National are not only major events but have also become social outings where people dress in high fashion, enjoy food and drinks, and are in the presence of royalty and celebrities.

While interest in the sport has also gone through ebbs and flows and has been impacted by concerns over animal welfare and the safety of jockeys, racing always seems to find a way back to relevance.

Summary and Final Thoughts

Before a race could be held with multiple riders, clear guidelines, prizes, and grandstands teeming with spectators, people had to first domesticate and mount horses. Thus, the beginning of horse racing begins not with the first race but with the first evidence of connecting with horses and building a working relationship with them, meaning the origins of racing go back more than 5,000 years.

Since then, the relationship has only grown and prospered since these early days, leading to formal events, dedicated trainers, breeders and jockeys, as well as technology that analyses and predicts outcomes, giving us odds to bet on and a chance to win alongside the horses and jockeys. In other words, horse racing has a long and fascinating history that continues to evolve as our civilisations do.