Racehorses

The Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Barb were imported to Great Britain from the Orient and North Africa between 1689 and 1724.  Crossed with strong English mares, they gave birth to high speed and strength.

There are different categories of horse races: flat races, hurdle races, field races, trotting races and harness races.  In racehorses, you look for balance and speed, while the character or temperament of the animal falls to second place.

In its inception, the owners were those who trained and ran with their horses.  Currently, the owners make their horses available to trainers who prepare for the races and keep them in good condition for the competition.  They are also in charge of selecting the most appropriate races in which each horse should compete, keeping in mind the equid's aptitudes.  In exchange, they receive a fee, normally set at a percentage of the winnings.

Many factors influence horse races.  Primarily, setting aside the horse, is the condition of the riders or professional jockeys. The recommended height is a meter and a half and the majority are thin, approximately 48 kilos.  The important thing is a good physical condition to not burden the race horse.  A professional jockey usually receives a set salary as well as a prize if he wins a race.

Horse races follow a calendar that varies from one country to another.What is more standardized is the procedure to follow.  The horses are saddled and the jockeys mount in view of the spectators. Once mounted, they are directed to the starting line and they wait for all to be in position for the signal of the door opening to be given.  Races cause a lot of excitement, as they are controlled by several judges and caught on film, on top of the horse times being kept.

To make the competition fair, each horse is assigned a handicap.  They place bars of lead underneath the saddle to balance out the difference between the assigned weight and the weight of the jockey riding.