The "Sport of Kings"..well is it a Sport?????

I definately don`t know the answer,but i do have the opinion that horse racing is no longer a sport(if it ever was).

The reason i feel that racing is no longer a sport is i feel it is now just a vessel for gambling and without gambling would cease to exist..

What do you guys think?

Sport

Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.

An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.

An active pastime; recreation.

By that definition, horse racing is a sport, for the jockeys and horses.

Is Ferguson participating in a sport when he manages Man Utd?
That he is not actively taking part doesn't change the nature of the soccer being a sport.

Horse racing is a sport, just not for us punters/owners.
It most certainly is also a vessel for gambling, but there's no reason why it can't be both.

I agree with Sabre. It's a sport that's funded by gambling, and it can also be considered a business (especially when it comes to the buying and selling of livestock), but racing horses is still a sport. Warts and all.

Some people say sport is a form of entertainment as well, involving spectators as well as players. Look at the Barmy Army in cricket ... madmen all, but they know what they like, and pay handsomely to travel to overseas matches involving "their" team. It's also a source of national pride ... some would say ritualized warfare. That's why (imho) we have tax-funded national teams in cricket, soccer, rugby, etc.

I think racing has missed the bus here by trying so hard to present itself as an industry ... it isn't cost-effective like a well-run industry, and it has lost its public image as a sport ... in running madly after one bus it has missed the next one coming down the road.

Betting on racing is neither here nor there ... most sports have betting and it hasn't affected their image as sports (though if betting-linked corruption gets a hold on sports like cricket this could change).

That's an interesting angle too.
Racing is funded by betting. Is there any other sport where this is the case?
Does it have to be funded by betting?
Could someone brainstorm a different way of financing racing? No idea, just wondering.

No betting no sport/racing Sabre? i think so

Dunno, just a thought. You're probably correct though.

EDIT: Oh, just wanted to clarify. I wasn't suggesting getting rid of betting, rather just wondering if the betting had to be the primary source of funds to run racing. It seems so, but just trying to think outside the box.

Another reason i asked the question was ,if you go on to any SA sports website (supersport etc) you wont find any subsections for racing

Yeah, that's very sad. Ties in with what I posted in the marketing thread.

The Jockey Challenge definately points racing @ being a sport...

Still cant get away from the no gambling no racing

Dubai ?