Racing in the 17th Century
17th Century Origins
- Instead of racing for money, they raced for silver bells
- This is when they first began strictly weighing-in jockeys
- Races during this time were primarily match races
- Horse racing was dubbed the “Sport of Kings”
- Originated in England in the early 17th century
- 1605: King James I established horse racing in Newmarket
- “Race meets” began to spring up in other areas
- In 1654 Oliver Cromwell banned all horse racing in England and the state
- With the restoration of King Charles II, racing flourished again
18th Century
- Queen Anne was responsible for the prominence of racing in the 18th century
- She founded the Royal Ascot in 1711
- In 1750 the Jockey Club was formed
- Interest in the sport was at its peak during this century
- In the late 18th century racing transitioned from match races to the format known today
Original Thoroughbred Sires
Fun Facts
- In the late 17th & early 18th century the original thoroughbred sires were brought to England
- Every modern thoroughbred horse can trace their lineage back to these three
- The Byerley Turk (1684-1706)
- The Darley Arabian (1700-1730)
- The Godolphin Arabian (1724-1753)
Royal Ascot
- Founded in 1711 by Queen Anne
- The opening race every year, the Queen Anne Stakes, is named after her in honor of this
- It has always been a royal event
- It has also always been a major event in the British social calendar
The Jockey Club
- Founded in 1750
- It was one of the most exclusive high society clubs in the United Kingdom
- Had some of the functions of a gentlemen’s club, such as high-class socializing
- It was and still is the dominant organization in British Horse Racing
- Was the governing body when it came to horse racing
- Sporting bets were handled here
Jockeys
- Profession reserved strictly for men
- Pre-17th & 18th century owners rode their own horse
- In the 18th century, jockeys became more well-known figures
- In the 18th century racing silks were introduced
- Was a very dangerous profession
History of Horse Racing in the 17th & 18th Centuries