Horse racing has been a popular sport for centuries, with betting on races also being a longstanding tradition. The history of betting on horse racing can be traced back to ancient civilizations, with chariot races in Greece and Rome being among the earliest forms of organized horse racing.
In the United Kingdom, horse racing as we know it today began to take shape in the 18th century. The first recorded race meet was held in Newmarket in 1711, and by the mid-18th century, horse racing had become a popular pastime among the upper classes. Along with the sport’s growing popularity, betting on races also became more prevalent.
During the 19th century, the sport of horse racing continued to grow in popularity, with the establishment of many new racetracks and the formation of the Jockey Club, which regulated breeding and racing. The expansion of the railway system in the UK also made it easier for people to travel to racetracks and attend races, further increasing the sport’s popularity.
As horse racing gained popularity, so too did betting on races. In the early days, betting was done primarily on the track, with bookmakers taking bets from those in attendance. However, with the advent of technology and the rise of the internet, betting on horse racing has become more accessible than ever before. Today, people can place bets on races from anywhere in the world, and there are a wide variety of options available, from on-track betting to online sportsbooks and mobile apps.
In the United States, horse racing has a slightly different history. The first recorded horse race in America took place in 1665, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that organized racing began to take place. The first racetrack in the US was built in Long Island, New York in 1762. In the 19th century, horse racing continued to grow in popularity and became a major industry, with the establishment of many new racetracks and the formation of organizations like the American Jockey Club.
As in the UK, betting on horse racing also became more prevalent in the US. In the early days, betting was done primarily on-track, but with the advent of technology, it has become more accessible. Today, there are many different options for betting on horse racing, from on-track betting to online sportsbooks and mobile apps. You’ll be happy to know that it was added also on TonyBet Kenya.
The history of horse racing and betting on horse racing is a long and storied one, with the sport and the practice both evolving over time. From ancient chariot races to the high-tech, global industry it is today, horse racing has always been a popular pastime, and betting on races has been a part of that tradition for centuries.
