The English are very fond of horses by tradition, as shown by the fact that there are more proverbs pertaining to horses in the English language than to any other animal, dogs included. And while cars may have replaced the horse and buggy, expressions like "pull up" and "pull over" are still part of the English vernacular. If asked to list England's national pastimes, many would surely rank horse racing right up there with football and cricket.

     England is the birthplace of modern horse racing. In 1791, the General Stud Book was compiled by James Weatherby, then secretary-general of The British Jockey Club. In England, where the first horse races were held in the 10th century, importing of the swift and graceful Arabian horse became popular in the 17th century. A typical Oriental breed, Arabians were cherished by the royalty and nobility in ancient China. Richard Darley brought an outstanding Arabian stallion to England in 1706. Called the Darley Arabian, it is known as one of the three forefathers of the Thoroughbred. Using research methods all his own, Weatherby compiled and published the General Stud Book, which lists the lineages and breeding records of 387 studs recognized as purebred racehorses tracing descent from the three forefathers.

     Only the rose of racehorses, the Thoroughbred, a work of art refined over several centuries by the Anglo-Saxons, is allowed a place in the General Stud Book. Meeting the requirements for inclusion is no easy task. They are as follows: (1) all ancestors of the horse must be traceable to a lineage registered in a previously published General Stud Book, or (2) there must be ample proof that eight consecutive generations inclusive of the parents have been crossbred with a Thoroughbred, and the bloodline's performance at the track must be judged to be equal to that of a Thoroughbred. It requires a very exceptional lineage indeed to come anywhere near satisfying these stringent requirements.

     Turning our attention to Japan, its recently acquired economic might has allowed its citizens to purchase a racetrack in Florida, a stud farm in Ireland, and European Triple Crown winner Lammtarra, reported to be the most expensive studhorse in the history of horse racing (\3.3 billion). Yet, the doors to Japanese horse racing itself are being opened to the rest of the world ever so slowly. Offered as evidence of this is the following meager agreement reached recently between the Japan Breeder's Cup Association, which advocates protection of the nation's 300 stud farms, and the Japan Racing Association. which seeks to make Japanese horses more competitive internationally by promoting liberalization of the domestic market.

     1. The number of races foreign horses not stabled in Japan shall be allowed to run in annually shall be increased to 12 by 1999 (currently six or 0.0026% of the 2300 races held annually).

     2. The percentage of races foreign-bred horses stabled in Japan shall be allowed to run in shall be raised to 55% of all races held (currently 39% or 900 races annually).

     Speaking as a racing fan, I hope Japan does not make the same mistake it made with rice and overprotect horse racing. By avoiding this, I hope Japan will produce horses and jockeys of the caliber necessary to give their foreign counterparts a run for their money.

Copyright (C) 1998-2010 Jeffrey G. Stocker