First of all, Just How Did Horse Racing Began!
David ONeil explains

Horse racing is one of the oldest sports on record and has been around for thousands of years. Not only has it survived the test of time but it has also been an organized sport throughout the world even dating back to the original Greek Olympics.

It was in the 12th century when horse racing as we know it today really started to take off. Arab horses were bred with sturdy european horses and the result was sturdy but extremely fast racing horses. Eventually race courses started to open throughout the country and rules and regulations were put in place. The Jockey Club was then formed and is still a governing body today.

When Charles II was King from 1660-1685 he held two horse races on private courses with the winner being awarded a prize. Newmarket in Britain was the very first venue for horse racing.

During the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714) horse racing changed from two horses to several running and all spectators were able to place bets. It was Queen Anne who opened one of the most famous race courses ever - Ascot.

In 1750,at Newmarket, the horse racing elite formed a set of comprehensive rules to control racing. They were known as the Jockey Club and this still exists today.

There were concerns regarding the breeding and registration of race horses and a gentleman called James Weatherby was given the job of tracing the history of all race horses. Steps were then taken to control and regulate the breeding. All foals born to a race horse now had to be recorded in the General Stud Book. This book was first published in 1793.

The National Hunt Committee was established in 1866. The British Horseracing Board became the governing authority for horse racing in 1993. The Jockey Club still regulates point to point.

5 Ways to Win at Horse Racing by Simon M. Skinner
Horse racing can be fun, thrilling and exciting as well as profitable if you know a few insider strategies that can help you to win.

First, always make sure that you analyze the history of the horses' previous performances when placing bets. Many experts have found that it can be more profitable to look for those horses that have the highest speed ratings. Generally, the higher the horse's speed rating the more consistent the horse will be in winning.

This is particularly true when it comes to sprint races, so make sure you pay attention to this.

Always make sure that you take into consideration the consistency of the horses' prior races as well. Avoid betting on any horses that have not raced within the last month or so. Look for horses that have placed with the top three finishes during their last few races. This is usually a good indication that the horse will be in good shape and will have an increased chance of winning an upcoming race.

Class is also important when it comes to picking winners as well. Look specifically to see whether the horse is coming up in class. While this can sometimes lead to choosing a winner, that is not always the case. The main thing to look for is to determine whether the horse has raced within the same class recently. If the horse has raced within the same class and come out on top, this could be a horse that is ready to keep on the same winning streak.

When possible, try to make sure you know the condition of the track on race day. In the event that the track will be muddy or sloppy in some other way, look for horses that prefer taking a front lead. When the track is muddy, horses that like to take the early lead will generally have better chances of winning.

Finally, remember that just because a horse lost their last race that does not mean that you should not consider them, especially if they were a favorite. The horse could still be in good shape and actually have a good chance of winning an upcoming race. Be sure to check the odds, especially on the morning of the race, to determine whether this may be a horse that you want to place your money on.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/5-ways-to-win-at-horse-racing-863647.html

About the Author: Simon Skinner has worked in the online gambling industry since 2000. He has worked for some of the premier online sportsbooks and now runs internet marketing for BetAmerica - the premier online US horse betting website.