betHQ
March 2, 2016
Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the world, attracting record crowds, television broadcasts and betting involvement across the globe.
However, many racing enthusiasts know relatively little about what goes into breeding and selecting racehorses for the various racing formats.
Thoroughbreds
Thoroughbred racehorses are traditionally used for middle to long-distance flat races. These horses are the result of breeding European warhorses with Arabian stallions in England, during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Thoroughbreds are bred to run over specific distances, with temperaments and physical attributes that make them best suited to handle sprints, middle-distance races or long-distance races.
Thoroughbreds are recognised for their feisty, competitive nature, along with short backs, deep chests and long, powerful legs.
Thoroughbreds can attract astronomical prices, and so tend to be owned either by millionaires or racing conglomerates. Prices for champion colts can be especially high because these horses are in demand as sires for the breeding of future champions.
National Hunt racehorses
In the United Kingdom, the majority of racehorses that participate in National Hunt racing are thoroughbreds that have been gelded (castrated).
Gelded thoroughbreds have no breeding value and are therefore much cheaper to purchase. The gelding process also has an impact on temperament, making National Hunt racehorses somewhat less hot-blooded than their flat-racing cousins.
National Hunt racing is not, however, restricted to gelded thoroughbreds. During the history of the sport, many different breeds of horses have competed in and won National Hunt races. In the early years of the sport, it wasn’t unusual for cart or plow horses to win races.
American Quarter Horses
The American Quarter Horse is recognised as the fastest breed over short distances. The horses are mainly used for sprints, where they can easily outdistance thoroughbred racehorses. In addition, they’re used in rodeos and as working horses.
Quarter Horses were originally bred from Spanish and English stock to handle the demands of cattle driving. It’s possible that some of the earliest quarter sires were thoroughbreds. However, a distinct breed was created as ranchers laboured to create a fast, reliable work horse.
Today, American Quarter horses are the most popular breed of horse in the United States. They run races ranging from 220 to 870 yards, and are also bred for show jumping. Modern American Quarter horses strongly resemble contemporary thoroughbreds.
Standardbreds
Standardbreds are an American horse breed commonly used for harness racing. These horses are bred to handle the demands of racing at a trot rather than a gallop, and are popular due to their endurance and mild temperaments.
Standardbred racehorses are the product of interbreeding of thoroughbred racehorses, various pacer breeds and Norfolk Trotters. The term “standard breed” was originally applied to racehorses that could trot the distance of a mile in 2 minutes and 30 seconds or less.
Standardbred horses are relatively easy to train, making them a popular choice for show jumping and dressage.
