Why is horse racing called the "sport of kings"?

[no gnu taxes]

It seems to me it would be the sport of wise guys and semi-alcoholic losers. Wouldn't screwing over peasants be the sport of kings.

[wtt0315]

because when horse racing started it was racing for royality of the british so it was called sport of kings.

[wtf]

who do you think OWNS the horses

the kings of society

[InTheDrink]

It seems to me it would be the sport of wise guys and semi-alcoholic losers. Wouldn't screwing over peasants be the sport of kings.

post of the day

[jjgold]

Racing is a dying sport, too much juice
Its impossible to win, so many races semi rigged

[str]

Racing is a dying sport, too much juice
Its impossible to win, so many races semi rigged

It's dying because of too much juice?

Impossible to win because so many races are rigged?

C'mon JJ, your better than that.

[oakas]

Greyhound Racing is The Sport of Queens

[Dirty Sanchez]

I know California Horse Racing is in trouble....small fields/purses...they closed down Bay Meadows a few years ago, and there have been rumors of either Santa Anita or Hollywood closing as well

[str]

I know California Horse Racing is in trouble....small fields/purses...they closed down Bay Meadows a few years ago, and there have been rumors of either Santa Anita or Hollywood closing as well

Your absolutely right about that.

[Louisvillekid1]

You kinda of to brought up around it to truly understand it... most exciting sport to gamble on bar none, as a fan you have to have an appreciation of greatness/determination/heart/will/strength as these athletes are outstanding competitors..

[TonyP]

Greyhound Racing is The Sport of Queens

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Racing is a dying sport, too much juice
Its impossible to win, so many races semi rigged

What about all the betting groups that clean up?

[Rio DiNero]

If you have ever owned a horse, you will know why they call it the sport of kings.

[Dark Horse]

Who can own stables large enough to produce (or buy) a few true champions?
Slightly different setup than buying some cleats and a ball.

Other than that, it's a question along the same lines as 'what do you give a guy who has everything?' If you love a horse because he won for you, imagine the joy of owning that horse.

[andywend]

Wouldn't screwing over peasants be the sport of kings.

This only happens in extremely socialistic or communist societies and certainly not in the U.S. regardless of what democrats/occupiers might think. This is just an excuse used by people who have FAILED in life and want to blame others for their personal shortcomings.

Regarding horseracing being called the "sport of kings" - It was called that because horse racing used to take place only during the week and only during regular working hours (there was no weekend or evening racing in the beginning). In order to attend the races, you had to have the ability to be able to miss work whenever you felt like it. Therefore, you almost had to be a king to enjoy a day at the races.

Back in the early 1900's, there were strict dress codes even in the "grandstand" sections of all racetracks with suits or tuxedos being required in the "turf club" sections.

Also, many people don't know that the MINIMUM wager in the 1800's was $5 and there was only win/place/show betting. Due to this, horses would routinely go off at odds as high as 1000-1 because people wouldn't throw away $5 whole dollars on hopeless longshots. There were far fewer races run and the majority of races had as many as 20 entrants so you can imagine the huge prices that occurred.<!-- / message -->

[zebra58]

greatest game on earth

[patswin]

because it takes lots of money to own horses
got to be "rich like a king"

[cecil127]

Also, many people don't know that the MINIMUM wager in the 1800's was $5 and there was only win/place/show betting. Due to this, horses would routinely go off at odds as high as 1000-1 because people wouldn't throw away $5 whole dollars on hopeless longshots. There were far fewer races run and the majority of races had as many as 20 entrants so you can imagine the huge prices that occurred.<!-- / message --><!-- / message -->

do you have any info on this? i have found next to nothing on the internet on this topic but find it most interesting. average income in 1908 in america: 200-400 bucks. average wage: 22 cents/hr and milk was 32 cents a gallon.
using 4 bucks a gal in todays market that'd be a min. wager of $62.50.
that was 1908, some 44 years after the Spa opened in 1864. (couldnt quite find hard factual numbers on the 1870's)
not hard to see why it'd become known as the "sport of kings" although i believe there is more to the story on how that name came to be.....

[scratbandit]

hell in two minutes or less you know if you won.