Thoroughbred Racing

Organized Thoroughbred racing was first introduced to the United States at Annapolis in 1745 and is usually credited to Governor Samuel Ogle of Maryland, who first staged an English style Thoroughbred race .

Term thoroughbred comes from the strict breeding control of the horses. Known also as the 'gallops', most races are conducted over flat courses but there are also a small number of hurdle and steeple races, involves horses ridden by jockeys on turf tracks over distances from 800 to 3200 metres.

The Godolphin Arabian, the Darley Arabian and the Byerly Turk, these three foundation sires are considered the ancestors of thoroughbred breed. Named after their owners -- Thomas Darley, Lord Godolphin and Captain Robert Byerly -- these three stallions came to England from the Mediterranean Middle East around the turn of the 17th century and bred to the stronger, but less precocious, native horse. The resultant animal was a strong horse able to carry weight with a good speed over extended distances, qualities which brought the arising sport of horse racing to a new dimension.

The Breed

The Thoroughbred average height is a little over 16 hands and its Arabian ancestry is evident because of its appearance. White markings are frequently seen on both the face and legs and Thoroughbreds colors may be black or gray, dark bay, bay, chestnut, roans are uncommon. The withers are high and well defined, leading to an evenly curved back. On a neck that is somewhat longer and lighter than in other breeds, rests a refined widely-spaced head, with intelligent eyes. The heart girth is deep and relatively narrow while the shoulder is deep, well-muscled and extremely sloped . The legs are long and clean with pronounced tendons and move smoothly in unison through one plane. The upper hind leg's bone structure makes room for strong, long muscles. The thighbone is long and the angle it makes with the hipbone is wide. The powerful muscling of the hip and thigh continues to the gaskin that is set low.