1651
In France the first documented horse race was held in 1651 as the result of a wager between two noblemen.
In France the first documented horse race was held in 1651 as the result of a wager between two noblemen.
Organized racing in North America began with the British occupation of New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1664.
The Jockey Club of Britain, founded at Newmarket about 1750, wrote its own rules of racing.
The beginning of the modern era of racing is generally considered to have been the inauguration of the English classic races: starting with the St. Leger in 1776
The Yorkshire Oaks followed shortly after in 1779.
And finishing with the Epsom Derby in 1780.
During the 19th century, races of the English classic pattern—dashes for three-year-olds carrying level weights—spread all over the world. Starting the French classics is the Prix du Jockey Club (1836)
the Grand Prix du Paris came decades later (1863)
The American classics begin with the Belmont Stakes (1867)
The American classics continue with the Preakness Stakes (1873)
Ending with the final jewel, the Kentucky Derby (1875), which make up the American Triple Crown.
The French classics finish much later, with the addition of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (1920). The popularity of flatracing continued to spread, with popular races in Australia, the Middle East, and Japan.