How horseracing and royalty fit perfectly hand in hand.

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Author
Cowley, Polly
Date
2017-04Type
Dissertation
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
It’s clear that royalty has played a huge part in the evolution of horseracing over thousands
of years. Many key milestones have now shaped this industry to what it is today, as a highly
supported professional sport and some of the most recognised and historical events in the
world. The researcher believes it is important to have an understanding of horseracing history
to be able to make a contribution to modern literature. This will be completed by identifying
trends which may affect horseracing events today.
Since early domestication, horseracing is one of the most ancient sports in the world (Equine
World UK, 2017). Horseracing originated through the return of English knights from Crusades
with Arab horses, therefore breeding and creating thoroughbreds, the known race horse in
the UK today (Aird, 2002).
King Charles II held horseracing events from 1660-1685, with only two horses racing with
prizes awarded to the winner (Great British horseracing, 2017). During his reign, Newmarket
was the first venue to hold a horseracing event in Britain (Aird, 2002 and Great British
Horseracing, 2017). Queen Anne made a big contribution to the industry and impacted the
evolution of horseracing events quite extensively. During 1702-1714, she introduced several
horses in races and introduced spectators placing bets, which then further grew becoming
recognised as a professional sport (Equine World UK, 2017). This spread very quickly
throughout England. In 1711, Queen Anne founded Ascot by riding on a stretch of land, known
today at Ascot Racecourse as The Heath.
Queen Elizabeth II continues the royalty passion and involvement in horseracing. ‘Even our
very own Queen Elizabeth II has owned and bred horses that went on to win at Royal Ascot
and classic races’ (Great British Horseracing, 2017: Online). ‘The Ascot races grew in
popularity throughout the eighteenth century, becoming a very popular fixture in the English
social calendar’ (Johnson, 2017: Online). A solid link between the British monarchy and Ascot racecourse has always been established
as the reigning Monarch own the grounds and property (Johnson, 2017). Ascot holds many
high-profile races throughout the year, including King George VI weekend and Royal Ascot.
‘This five day event in mid-June (extended from the original four days in 2002 in celebration
of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee) attracts around 300,000 visitors every year’ (Johnson, 2017:
Online). The event contains eighteen group races and offers nearly £4,000,000 in prize money
(Johnson, 2017).
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