Great Metropolitan Stakes, Jerome Park-Decoration Day 1881.

Title

Great Metropolitan Stakes, Jerome Park-Decoration Day 1881.

Description

View shows the finish of the famous race in front of Jerome Park's clubhouse. In 1945, the Thoroughbred Racing Association published Thoroughbred Racing & Breeding and on page 215 in the discussion of 19th century racing prints mentioned two that deserve special mention. One was Currier & Ives, “The Futurity Race at Sheepshead Bay,” 1888, the other was this print by E. P. Sanguinetti.

c. 1833

Artist

Hall

Historical Description

Horse racing is one of the oldest (organized) sports known to mankind. They are primarily used for breeding (horse breeding) and entertainment. Both the English thoroughbred and the trotter owe their breeding to the demands of the racecourse. The tough selection process there leads to performance characteristics that are also very welcome in the breeding of other horse breeds. Horse racing has a long history. They existed in various ancient cultures around the world. Archaeological research has found evidence of horse racing in ancient Greece, Babylonia, Syria and Egypt. Horse races, hippic agones, were held at various athletic games in ancient Greece. In the Roman Empire, horse racing was an important economic sector. The racing stables, the circus companies, also gained increasing political importance in the Roman Empire and in the later Eastern Roman Empire. After the partial collapse of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 7th century, chariot races were almost only held in the capital Constantinople (Byzantium, now Istanbul). n Norse mythology, horse races are described as the battle between Odin and the giant Hrungnir. They argue over which of them has the faster horse. The Arabs also raced their horses over long distances. Even today, Arabian horses are characterized by particularly good endurance and are very successful in endurance sports. In the Middle Ages, horse racing is mentioned under Henry II (1154-1170). The Palio di Siena has been held since 1633. In modern times, from the middle of the fifteenth century until 1882, the carnival in Rome ended with horse races. Fifteen to twenty riderless horses ran along the long, straight Via del Corso. In the 18th century, horse racing became increasingly popular among European aristocrats. The oldest horse race in England is the St. Leger Stakes, which has been held since 1776. With the development of horse racing, the breed of English thoroughbreds emerged.