  thumb|right|racehorse statue at newmarket, the home of british horseracing horse racing is the second largest spectator sport in great britain, and one of the longest established, with a history dating back many centuries. it generates over Â£3.7 billion for the british economy. and the major horseracing events such as royal ascot and cheltenham festival are important dates in the british and international sporting and society calendar. the sport has taken place in the country since roman times and many of the sport's traditions and rules originated there. the jockey club, established in 1750, codified the rules of racing and one of its members, admiral rous laid the foundations of the handicapping system, including the weight-for-age scale. britain is also home to some of the world's iconic racecourses including newmarket, ascot and cheltenham and many of the world's iconic races including the epsom derby, grand national and cheltenham gold cup. the uk has also produced some of the greatest jockeys, including sir gordon richards and lester piggott. britain has also historically been a hugely important centre for thoroughbred racehorse breeding. all modern thoroughbred racehorses can trace a line back to three foundation sires which were imported to britain in the late 17th/early 18th centuries and the general stud book first published by james weatherby still records details of every horse in the breed. gambling on horseraces has been one of the cornerstones of the british betting industry and the relationship between the two has historically been one of mutual dependence. the betting industry is an important funder of horse racing in great britain, through the betting levy administered by the horserace betting levy board and through media rights negotiated by racecourses and betting shops.  ==types of racing== there are two main forms of horse racing in great britain. * flat racing, which is run over distances between 5 furlongs and 2 miles 5 furlongs 159 yards on courses without obstacl
Horse_racing_in_Great_Britain