Horse Racing

In 1665 the first racetrack in North America was built on Long Island. About 1730, a descendant of the Darley Arabian (see above) arrived in the colony of Virginia. Subsequently, scores of purebred British mares and stallions were imported to the American colonies, and raced and bred, primarily in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and the Carolinas.

Interest in horse racing continued unabated in the 19th century, and in 1894 the Jockey Club, an American organization modeled on the British Jockey Club, was incorporated in New York City. The club was formed to encourage the breeding of Thoroughbred horses and the maintenance of high ethical standards in horse racing. Although it did not wield authority comparable to that of the British club, the American Jockey Club exerted a strong, constructive influence on racing and breeding standards throughout the United States. It drew up a code that became the basis of American racing procedure and conduct; it took over the American Stud Book in 1896; and it subsequently maintained the bureau of registry for all American Thoroughbreds.

During the 20th century the popularity of horse racing increased in most parts of the world. In the United States in the years before World War I (1914-1918), a wave of reformist sentiment caused authorities to outlaw bookmaking in many states, resulting in the closure of all but 25 of the nation’s more than 300 tracks. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, however, most of the same states legalized pari-mutuel betting, partly because large revenues were easily obtainable through state taxes on the system. Most states with legal pari-mutuel systems also assumed control of local racing activity by creating racing commissions. The existence of these commissions slowly diminished the influence of the Jockey Club.

The American racing scene was dominated in 1919 and 1920 by the sensational performance of the American colt Man o’ War. He set several American track records, won by as much as 100 lengths, and lost only once in 21 starts (races). Man o’ War was retired to stud in 1920 after amassing $249,465 in winnings. Other outstanding Thoroughbreds of the 20th century include Seabiscuit, Count Fleet, Whirlaway, Citation, Bold Ruler, Native Dancer, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, and Cigar. Notable fillies include Regret, Ruffian, Genuine Risk, and Lady’s Secret.

During the 1930s winter racing, particularly in Florida and California, emerged as a major industry, and horse racing became a year-round activity in the United States. The industry continued to expand during the 1930s and 1940s, creating a need for a centralized national authority. In March 1942 the Thoroughbred Racing Associations was founded in Chicago; its headquarters is now in Elkton, Maryland. The organization’s code of standards is aimed at encouraging a high level of ethics in racing.

Especially popular in the southwestern United States, quarter-horse racing takes place at tracks, county fairs, and rodeos. As the name implies, quarter horses compete at distances of generally ‚ mi, or 440 yd (0.4 km), in sprints that last approximately 20 seconds. The most lucrative of these is the All-American Futurity, held each year in September at Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The Futurity is worth more than $2 million, the total purse distributed among top-place finishers in the preliminary heats and final competition. Racing involving Arabian and Appaloosa horses is held primarily in the western United States.