Horse Racing History

Horse racing history dates back many thousands of years as the Ancient Greeks and Romans raced horses in competition, but the first example of horse racing history as we know it would have been some 300 years ago during the reign of Queen Anne. She bought the land on which Ascot, one of UK horse racing's leading courses, was established. The UK was the place where racing developed and flourished before becoming a global sport.

UK horse racing set the original racing standard

When Lord Derby won the right to have what would become the world's greatest classic race named after him on the toss of a coin in 1780, the blueprint for UK horse racing was established. The horse racing results of the five Classics (1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Derby, Oaks and St Leger) means everything to breeders as the races provide the ultimate test for three-year-old colts and fillies.

The colts' British 'Triple Crown' of 2000 Guineas, Derby & St Leger, three UK horse racing Classic races ranging over distances between a mile and a mile and three-quarters.

Horse racing results reveal it is a difficult task, last won by the great Nijinsky in 1970.

UK horse racing's last fillies' 'Triple Crown' winner was the Henry Cecil-trained Oh So Sharp, who won the 1000 Guineas, Oaks & St Leger in 1985, ridden by American jockey Steve Cauthen. Cauthen made horse racing history in the US when, in 1977, he rode the great Affirmed to land the US Triple Crown. Affirmed went into US racing history books joining greats such as Secretariat and the 1930's star Seabiscuit.

UK horse racing's jump racing (or National Hunt) is hugely popular and a glance through major horse racing results reveals it has produced some of the most loved horses in horse racing history. Golden Miller, Red Rum, Sea Pigeon, Desert Orchid and Istabraq, to name but a few, have been central to British horse racing history.

The thrill of predicting horse racing results

The uncertainty and sheer thrill of watching UK horse racing and the pleasure of betting on horse racing results has long been a major pastime for punters.

When Frankie Dettori made horse racing history by riding all seven winners on the Ascot Festival card in 1996, some shrewd punters had managed to predict these horse racing results and were rewarded with the bet of a lifetime.

The current range of different betting opportunities makes estimating horse racing results an even more enjoyable experience. All the UK, Irish and significant international horse racing results can be found via the Ladbrokes horse racing website.