Racing Explained - The History of Racing

'The History of Racing' is the penultimate programme in the 'Racing Explained' series. In this programme we look back at Irish horse racing and see how it all began. We look at the history of one of the country's most loved sports as well as the history and functions of the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland. The human relationship with horses has been represented in art for 30,000 years and was first recorded in cave paintings, such as those in Lascaux in France. The nomadic tribesmen of Central Asia first tamed the horse in 4,500BC. Horse racing was called the sport of Kings because Royal support and prizes was the spur to the growth of racing in Britain and Ireland. Royal plates, cups and guineas were all the target of fierce competition. There are Royal prizes to this day at Down Royal and the Curragh racecourses. Steeple-chasing began almost by accident1752 and gave rise to one of the most popular forms of racing today. Much of the National Hunt season focuses on the Cheltenham Festival in March where Irish bred, trained, owned and ridden horses tend to dominate the competition. The Irish Turf Club was formed in 1790 to write the rules of racing and ensure that they are upheld. Horse Racing Ireland was founded in 2001 to administer and promote thoroughbred racing and breeding in Ireland. Did you know? There are more racetracks per head of the population in Ireland than anywhere else in the world. Co Kildare is known as the Thoroughbred County. Coolmore stud in Tipperary is one of the leading breeding operations in the world. Growing domestication and better breeding was a major part in the building of civilised life. Thoroughbred horses trace their bloodlines back to just three ancestors, known as the foundation sires.