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The Thoroughbred racehorse is a truly magnificent creature. On the flat race course a Thoroughbred can reach speeds of up to 35 to 40 miles per hours with a stride length of 20 feet. This remarkable horse can not only run with lighting speed and stamina on the racetrack, it also possesses an innate beauty, agility, and athletic ability for other sports as well. The Thoroughbred is the overwhelming choice for the combined training circuit because of its capability to gallop and jump for substantial time periods. In jumping Thoroughbreds have reached the highest ranks, as well as exemplary performance on the field. Their animation and expression have earned them prestigious ranks in both dressage and hunt classes (Hackney). Although Thoroughbred flat racing is by far the most popular of the racing sport, there are several more highly widespread forms. These include harness racing of the Standardbred, Quarter Horse racing, and Steeplechase racing.
Horse racing is the second most attended spectator sport in the U.S., baseball being the first. Racing is also a major professional sport in Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America (Parker).
Since the beginning of racing thousands of years ago until now, Thoroughbred racing his became an increasingly popular sport. Racing continues to set records, much to the credit of Thoroughbred racehorses. "The look of the eagles" is continually displayed in the generations of Thoroughbreds, as well as their blazing nature, speed, and hearts of gold (Hackney).
Wendy Patton
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