The oldest horse racecourses in the world

Horse racing is one of the oldest forms of sport available today. There have been many champion horses and riders over the years that have graced the racecourses. And there are lots of racecourses all over the world as this sport has a global footprint.

When it comes to popularity, horse racing is right up there with football, basketball, and other popular sports. That’s why a variety of online sportsbooks cover it and sites like www.novibet.ie, have a bunch of offers for bettors. The main thing about these sites is to enjoy them responsibly.

Horse racing is an old sport, and it uses some of the oldest racecourses in the world to this day. In other words, here are a few racecourses that have made history with their ages:

The Curragh

The is a racecourse in Ireland, and its name comes from a Gaelic word that means a place of the running horse. Well, they got that right. This course was the place for the first Irish Derby in 1886, but it was a popular hunting ground for nobles before that. The interesting thing about it is that it hasn’t changed much from back in the day, and it still retains its horseshoe shape.

Newmarket

There are many racecourses in England that deserve to be called the oldest racecourses, but Newmarket is the one that stands out. It has been around since 1636, and in its early years, Charles II and his brother came for a visit. The King also inaugurated the place 30 years after its inception, and he even became a winner 6 years later. By 1840, the place got more and more events, and it was host to seven annual meetings. It was also the course for many of the UK’s Classical flat races and a beacon of horseracing to this day.

Fair Grounds

The US also has its horse racing culture and one of its oldest racecourses in the Fair Grounds. This is the course for the Kentucky Derby trail races and has been around since 1838. The funny thing about it is that it took 3 attempts to open its doors to the horse racing enthusiast, and this was because of the American Civil War. Then in 1852, it opened under the name Union Race Course but was done in just 2 years. In 1859 it opened again under the name Creole Race Course, and it was in 1863 that it became Fair Grounds.

Garrison Savannah

This is another US racecourse, and it takes its roots in Barbados. British officers used to race in 1845 on the Garrison parade grounds. But before thoroughbreds came about, they raced on goats and even crabs. The Garrison Savannah is the home of the Barbados Turf Club. Moreover, the racecourse is still operational as the Barbados Triple Crown takes place on it.

Conclusion

The oldest racecourses around the world are living monuments to the history of horse racing. They give depth to the sport and expose you to its rich history.

Category: International