A horse race is a competition in which horses compete to win a prize or money. These races are held all over the world and have become a major international sport. There are many different types of races and terms used in horse racing, each with its own unique meaning.
In America, the first organized racing was in 1664 during the British occupation of New Amsterdam (now New York City). The settlers brought a number of horses with them to the new land and continued their interest in races that pitted two horses against each other over several four-mile heats.
The races were standardized and, from the start, required stamina rather than speed. By the 1860s, the United States had a variety of horse races for horses of various ages and weights. The best races were for thoroughbreds.
During the early years of racing in the United States, the races were generally for three-year-olds, although some races for four-year-olds also took place. The American classics were the Belmont Stakes (1867), the Preakness Stakes (1873) and the Kentucky Derby (1875).
There is no fixed age at which a horse becomes an adult and is allowed to race, but he usually achieves his peak ability by the age of five. However, the increasing size of purses and breeding fees have resulted in fewer races for horses over the age of four.
A race for horses over the age of four is not considered a classic or elite race, but it can be very popular. Some of the most famous races for older horses include the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Caulfield Cup and Sydney cup in Australia, the Durban July in South Africa and the Emperor’s Cup and Arima Memorial in Japan.
These races are usually run in the fall, as well as during the winter and spring. These races are often considered to be of a higher standard than the summer or fall season because they feature older horses, which are more likely to have the endurance and stamina needed to compete for the prize money.
For instance, Canonero II, a long shot from the Kentucky Derby winning line, won the 1971 Kentucky Derby after he had been shipped to Venezuela for a year before returning to Kentucky. His victory in the Kentucky Derby was a classic example of an underdog taking on the odds and overcoming them.
The term CANONERO II is also helpful to handicappers because it describes a horse who was a true underdog. Unlike a majority of the horses in the field who were in the running for the win, this horse was in the back and never really made a bid to gain ground on the leaders during the race.
Similarly, the term GAVE WAY is helpful to handicappers because it is an indication that a horse was impeded in some manner and was therefore not able to gain any further ground during the race. This is an important factor to consider when evaluating the handicapping of a horse because it can help you understand whether he is a legitimate contender or a likely victim of some form of exploitation by his trainer.