Horse Racing Tracks
About Horse Racing Tracks
| Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has been practiced for centuries and dates way back to the Roman times when chariots were used to race with. The most remarkable ancient racing tracks were no doubt the hippodrome of the Ancient Greeks and the circus of the Roman Empire which were both designed specifically for horse and chariot racing. These days you will hear most people nickname horse racing “The Sport of Kings”. |  |
Worldwide Horse Racing Tracks
Horse racing varies from country to country and so do their horse racing tracks. The type of events, the style of racing and the distances may all differ depending on the country they are held in.
The United States has horse racing tracks made of a flat surface of either grass or dirt. Most tracks are for thoroughbred racing but others exist for quarter horse racing and harness racing. Some horse racing tracks work for all these three types of racing. Horse racing with other breeds does exist but are not as popular, take Arabian horse racing for example.
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American thoroughbred races are run at many different distances starting from 4.5 furlongs (905m) to 1½ miles (2414m). The Belmont Park Track in Elmont, New York, which was opened in 1905, Boasts a mile and a half main track. It is the world’s largest dirt Thoroughbred race course and has the largest grandstand for this equine sport. |
In Canada, the Woodbine Racetrack which holds the Queen’s Plate and the North America Cup is the only racing track in North America which presents both thoroughbred and harness meetings on the same day.
| The United Kingdom enjoys National Hunt racing where the horse racing tracks are made up of obstacles like hurdles or fences. The clear racetrack, where the race is over a distance, is known as flat racing. |  |
Ireland has a wealthy history of horse racing and is actually where point to pointing originated. Nowadays though, National Hunt racing, also known as jump racing, is slightly more popular than racing on a flat racetrack.
Betting
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Many horse racing tracks today have a gambling station where gamblers can place bets. They usually follow the system of Parimutuel betting where gamblers' money are pooled and shared proportionally amongst the winners after a deduction is made from the pool. In the UK, Ireland and Australia a different and more admired facility is offered by Bookmakers who actually make a market in odds. |
The gambler can lock in odds on a horse at a specific time. Bear in mind some racing tracks prohibit gambling on horses. The nationally famous Colonial Cup Steeplechase in Camden, South Carolina, is one example where gambling is illegal because of the 1951 state law which states betting in horse racing is illegal.
Other Racing Track Facilities
| Horse racing tracks usually have dining and entertainment spots for families and friends. During the racing season the racing track would be at its peak with theme nights, buffets, birthday parties and other parties for special occasions. |  |
There are also gambling rooms, video lottery terminals and large television screens broadcasting live races from the nation and around the world.
