Weird and Amazing Facts about Horse Racing

Horse racing is a thrilling and fantastic game for many people. But as there is money involved, it becomes a great sport for betting enthusiasts. Getting to know the amazing facts about horse racing can make you peep into the all-new world of stallions. 

How it started and a few records?

For the successful horses, the owners would pledge their lives. Yes, they can earn more on stud than on the racecourse, and $100 million is involved in horse racing every year. It all started with the chariot races of Rome, and they are the organized form of horse races, from where today’s horse races are derived. These races trace back to 4500 BC in Central Asia. 

• To date, there is no record that a horse more than 18 years of age has won the race. 
• A racehorse on an average weighs 1000 pounds, and the recorded that is lowest for a jockey is 49 pounds. 
• The highest aged jockey was Levi Barlingume, who raced till 80 years of age, which was until 1932. 
• Humorist was the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1921 that ran with only one lung.

Big-hearted horses have more chance to win 

You will also be excited to know about the organs of the racing horses. Yes, only the horses with large hearts have a great chance to win, compared with the rest of those who have smaller or average-sized hearts. 

If you are one of the groups who thinks that horse racing is not very animal-friendly, and they have stopped putting money in it. You have options to participate in other sports or you can play casino games at Betfair to get the same thrilling experience. 

Slow or fast? 

If you are looking for something funny then here is some amusing fact for you. Time is significant when it comes to winning a race. In 1945, the recorded time for winning that is the slowest of all time was set. Never Mind II, the horse refused to move from a fence, and the jockey had no other go, but to abandon the horse. But, to his joy, all the runners of the race had either been disqualified or fallen. So, he rushed back to complete the 2-mile race in 11 minutes and 28 seconds. This means he would have been at leisure. 

Facts about different breeds

Most of the time, you will find that the thoroughbred horses are chosen for their speed, agility, and determination. They had Arabian ancestors and were produced in England. The Arabian racehorses that raced more than 1000 years ago are of just ½ the size of the thoroughbred horses. Compared with these, the quarter-bred horses that are specially bred for quarter-mile races are smaller and less muscular. For harness racing, the standardbred horses are used. They are best suited for trot than gallop racing. 

Dangers associated with horse racing

While it can be seen a great sport, no one can deny that many times horse racing involves the fatal end of the horses on the racecourse, with broken spines. Horses are also killed because of the use of drugs that are meant for improving speed but are illegal and restricted. Thousands of former racehorses end up at slaughter beds. Even younger horses say of ages 3 and 4 are made to risk their lives on tracks.

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**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

5:25 Chelmsford 2YO Racing Tips (24th Nov) TOTEPOOLLIVEINFO.COM FOR RACING RESULTS MAIDEN FILLIES´ STAKES (Plus 10 Race) (CLASS 4) (2yo)

A Maiden Fillies Stakes (Plus 10) over 7f on Standard going.

Quite a large field of thirteen juveniles which I will cut down in number. 

Hugo Palmer fields Al Mayda. This chestnut filly is a daughter of Distorted Humor. This American-bred wasn't sent through the sales ring and adorns the familiar silks of Al Shaqab Racing Ltd. She started her career at Newcastle when racing over 7f. Pretty weak in the betting for such a big stable, which was due to a couple of well-fancied horses in opposition. There was a lot to like about that racecourse bow. From a statistical point of view, this filly holds decent each-way claims. 

A few in opposition. 

Cercle D'or wasn't fancied in the betting when making her debut at Kempton over one mile. This daughter of Acclamation wasn't beaten far although it was something of a blanket finish. Being related to Golden Horn is no bad starting point and racing in the Sangster silks will tug at the heartstrings of many a punter of old. Not the easiest filly to assess. If in need of the debut and today priced 13/2 & less SP could be in the mix. If weak in the betting I would take a watching brief. 

Ebqaa is a home-bred daughter of Cape Cross. I always take a second glance when Marcus Tregoning trains one for Hamdan Al Maktoum although he isn't a handler I associate with debut winners. Mind you, it isn't beyond the realms. If a true talent, this juvenile may have claims but I suspect this bay will need the run. If seriously backed it would bring greater hope although he still offers a pretty poor win race to be fair. 

Sir Michael Stoute fields Freediver who makes her second start after being relatively fancied on debut at Leicester. A slow start didn't help her cause, then tiring into ninth at the line. More is needed here. If strong in the betting, this daughter of Bated Breath may have a fighting chance. However, if priced bigger than 13/2 & less SP I would expect others to prevail.

Amanda Perrett's two-year-olds have been showing some promise this latter part of the season and My Lady Marie belied her odds of 66/1 when finishing fifth. If seriously backed I would take note. However, if priced in double figures I'd consider those at the head of the betting.

John Gosden has My Rosie to accompany Cercle D'or. Interesting to note she is owned by Lord Lloyd-Webber who doesn't have too many hopeless cases in his string. This bay filly is a daughter of Redoute's Choice costing 400,000G at the yearling sales. The mare, My Branch, was a talented horse being placed at Group 1. My Rosie was half fancied on debut but always in rear - finishing last. It is strange principle but I often say that the worse a horse looks on debut often the better they turn out to be. This April foal needs to find ample improvement but it's possible. At present, she is a 14/1 shot. However, if backed I would take note because such a large price tag and significant ownership tell me this bay filly may show more today. 

Interesting to note Oberyn was priced 5/2 on debut for Sylvester Kirk. The stable have done exceptionally well with their juveniles this season. This daughter of Holy Roman Emperor finished last when making her debut at Newcastle although not beaten too far. In truth, that was a poor race with the winner having an official rating of just 55. It was an auction race which is a markedly lower class than this race type. This looks a stiff ask.

Godolphin has plenty of horses to race and most are bred to be winners. Pure Shores is a daughter of Dubawi who cost a whopping 700,000G at the yearling sales. The mare was a very consistent horse, winning at Listed class but placed numerous times at Group level. Charlie Appleby can ready a debutante and you have to consider that many of these blue-blooded horses are sent out this time to win rather than gain valuable experience [obviously both are important]. Definitely a horse with an exceptional price tag. Worthy of respect. 

Conclusion: At the time of writing, this looks an open race and although horse racing tipsters will have picked out their favourites I would definitely let the betting settle before getting stuck in unless you are taking a big price and convinced your selection will be backed. 

The betting should eek out a few weak links. 

Al Mayda is likely to go well and if available at each-way odds would be a fair bet. Gosden's two are worthy of note. Cercle D'or has claims if priced 13/2 & less SP. I would definitely keep an eye on the betting for My Rosie. Well owned and very expensive purchase. That debut was too bad to be true. If drifting to big odds on the exchanges it may be worth placing a bet in the hope she is seriously backed. If the money comes, I'd expect to see a transformation. 

The betting should tell the story for Freediver and My Lady Marie. If priced 13/2 & less each hold each-way claims. I get a feeling both will be bigger odds. 

It is always difficult assessing the potential of a debutante and inexperience can be a stumbling block for the best juveniles. Pure Shores cost a huge sum and have a pedigree to suggest she has an ability. I doubt Appleby is sending her out for a run just to gain experience and I would put this filly high on the shortlist. 

Al Mayda and Pure Shores look the most likely. The former is worth an each-way if prices allow. My Rosie may be worth a speculative punt at big odds. 

4:35 Leicester Racing Tips (6th Sept) BRITISH STALLION STUDS APOLLO EBF MAIDEN STAKES (Plus 10 Race) (CLASS 4) (2yo)

An EBF Maiden Stakes over 7f on good to soft going. 

Thirteen two-year-old colts take part.  Five juveniles with race experience. Plenty of renowned trainers taking an interest in this Plus 10 contest with win prize money a shade over £5,000.

A big old field but plenty of interest. 

Roger Charlton fields *Zafferino. This son of Frankel is out of a once-raced mare. This home-bred is owned by Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar. He started 8/15f in a four-horse race but couldn't hold the late challenge of Seniority. Zafferino was a touch keen on his racecourse debut but held in high regard by connections. With that initial experience, this February foal should go well and has sound each-way claims.

For more reading material around horse race betting, be sure to check out Bethut's horse racing tips.

Sir Michael Stoute should always be respected in the latter part of the season and he has sent out a few nice two-year-olds over the last few weeks. Elucidation is a homebred racing in the familiar silks of the Niarchos Family. This son of Oasis Dream was the lesser fancied of two horses representing Stoute on debut at Newmarket. Perhaps that was the reason Elucidation was sent off at odds of 16/1. However, he showed ample promise, staying on in the closing stages to finish third. The winner, trained by James Tate, ran on with verve after being fancied to go well at Yarmouth behind the very smart Salsabeel. Law And Order [Tate] had exceptional win and place statistics that day and it was not surprising to me he was a powerhouse. I had my eye on the runner-up. Rummani, who is a talent, which boosts the likelihood of Elucidation. I would keep an eye open for Mandarin, who disappointed that day but was heavily backed and I know for a fact is held in high regard by Marco Botti. Elucidation looks the type to improve for that racecourse bow and has strong each-ways claims if priced 13/2 & less SP.

Adamant is similarly trained, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. This grey colt is a son of Dalakhani who was purchased as a breeze-up purchase by John Warren for 130,000E. The mare, Attima, won three times in her career racing in France and America, winning at Group 2. The best guide to this debutantes chance is the betting. The majority of Stoute's debutantes win when priced 13/2 & less SP. If outside this betting guide I would take a watching brief. 

To add to the heat, *Naval Warfare comes here after finishing fourth and second, respectively. This bay colt, a son of Born To Sea, put up a bold front-running performance over seven and a half furlongs at Ffos Las to be worn down in the closing stages by Math's Prize. It was a fair effort to beat Prerogative, who has been a model of consistency. I can see this bay colt leading and should appreciate this softer going. 

Luca Cumani doesn't have the biggest string of two-year-olds but a trainer who should always be respected on their second start. It is worth noting that Presence Process races in the second colours forSaleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar. This bay colt is a son of Dansili and half-brother to Justineo who race up to Group 1 class. Presence Process was relatively fancied on debut at 10/1 but a long way behind the first three, which included Law And Order. On a form line, he has to find a good few lengths to beat Elucidation. I would take  a watching brief unless seriously backed.     

Ed Dunlop has a couple of runners both making their racecourse bow. Alemaratalyoum is an Irish-bred son of Lope in the ownership of Mohammed Jaber. He has a couple of fair juveniles with the stable in Apex King & Al Nafoorah. He cost 85,000G. Dunlop's debutantes are best judged by their starting price. They have a fighting chance when priced 14/1 & less SP. If weak in the betting I'd take a watching brief. 

The market should detail the chances of Nigh Or Never who is trained by Tom Dascombe. This January foal is a son of Excelebration out of a Galileo mare and cost 100,000E at the yearling sales. Dascombe's juvenile is presently priced at 20/1, which suggests he will be better for the race or the competition is strong enough to make this a test. The stable can win at bigger odds although their brightest prospects are priced 7/1 & less SP. If in that guide should be feared.

I always take a second look at John's juveniles owned by George Strawbridge. They often prove a fair combination. The stable have their share of debut winners, especially if fancied in the betting. Jupiter Light is a son of Lonhro out of a seriously good mare who won on debut and runner-up in the Fillies' Mile. An exceptional filly who achieved a highest OR 113. The betting suggests he will be better for the run but if backed to 13/2 & less SP have respectable each-way claims.

Charles Hill has a few fair juveniles in his string. *Farook hasn't been seen for over two months since finishing behind Apex King. This son of Raven's Pass was relatively fancied in te betting but disappointed. There may have been an issue that day. Hamdan Al Maktoum stuck his hand deep in his pocket to buy this roan colt at the yearling sales for 420,000G. It would be a surprise to see this colt backed. He doesn't hold any significant entries but one for the shortlist is the money comes.  

Al Mansor hails from Richard Hannon's stable. I find this stable difficult to assess with their debutantes because they are difficult to call. In general, they are better for their debut. This son of Dark Angel  cost 95,000E at the breeze-up sales so should come here with fitness and wisdom.     

The stable field Sporting Times who is a home-bred. The betting suggests this youngster is best watched.

Time To See & Quinteo are best watched. 

Conclusion: A tough race to be too dogmatic with a handful of horses which have shown promise if no undoubted ability. I was impressed by Elucidation on debut when starting at big odds. The form of that race is solid and any improvement would make this juvenile go very close. Zefferino will have his supporters with the Frankel tag, which probably means he will start little shorter odds than deserved. However, it is difficult to assess the form of that race but Charlton has very good win and place claims with horses fancied on their second start and if difting to each-way prices wouldn't be a bad bet at all. If Adamant is priced 13/2 & less SP it would be significant. Farook cost a lot of money and may have sustained an injury or problem on debut. He could be backed from big odds and may be worth an anticipatory gamble. 

*NR