The Myth of Horse Racing
According to Homer, after the Trojan War the victorious Achilles arranged games as part of the funeral ceremony for his friend Patroclus, killed by Hector.
The first event was a chariot race. Antilochus was given his riding instructions by the wise Nestor, who had perhaps walked the course in advance.
However, Eumelus, the Lester Piggott of the day, led in the first furlong, and his mares were going easily when divine intervention by Pallas Athene broke the yoke of his chariot and he fell.
Idomeneus, as early bookmaker, saw what happened, even without binoculars, and quickly offered odds to Aias about Eumelus' prospects and these were accepted.
Diomedes of the loud war cry won in a driving finish from Antilochus, who just pipped Menelaus for second place. Menelaus promptly objected to Antilochus for crossing.
The winner's prize was a delightful woman and a tripod holding twenty-two pints. The second received a mare in foal.
Men have matched horses for speed all over the world, and gambled on the result.
It is interesting that this early race contained all the elements that have fascinated followers. The best horseman was robbed by dirty work on the part of the Gods.
There was an argument over rough riding, and an objection.
The winner got the girl and the booze. The loser was left to raise another horse to fight another day. And, last but not least, the crafty bookmaker cleaned up.
Champion racehorses inspire tremendous affection, and a meeting of champions in a great race provokes speculation and excitement in people who would regard betting on the outcome as almost blasphemous.
In Britain, the great flat races are the five Classics )the 1000 Guineas, the 2000 Guineas, the Derby, Oaks and St. Leger, all for three-year-olds).
There are other important races, particularly Goodwood meeting, both of which are social occasions, and at Newsmarket, the headquarters of British racing.
Over the sticks in winter, the most famous race is the Grand National, perhaps the toughest in the world. It is a vast betting medium, but, being a handicap, is rarely won by the best horse in the field.
The real champion stake their claims at Cheltenham, where the Gold Cup for steeplechasers and Champion Hurdle are run.
Only three Classics are open to colts, the 1000 Guineas and Oaks being reserved for fillies. The treble of the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St. Leger is known as the Triple Crown.
The last horse to perform this feat was Nijinsky in 1970, the previous Triple Crown winner being Bahram, owned by the Aga Khan, in 1935.
One filly, Meld, has won the 1000 Guineas, Oaks and St. Leger since the war; her great year was in 1955.
In 1942, Sun Chariot achieved this treble in wartime substitute races for King George VI. Royalty has always supported the 'sport of kings'.