Under the Hoof: The Science and History of Horse Racing Track Surfaces

Since the inception of the Thoroughbred as a breed, racing was primarily held on a grass surface referred to as turf, and the popularity of this surface has prevailed globally. However, as horse racing has evolved in each country, and racetrack science has modernized, there has been a shift towards exploring different racing surfaces and methods for maintaining racetrack consistency. Over the following weeks, we will look into the history of racetrack surfaces and their significance in three installments: Turf, Dirt, and Synthetic!

Part 1: Turf

The history of turf racing is rich and dates back several centuries, deeply rooted in English Thoroughbred racing. Charles II, who reigned from 1660 to 1685, is often credited with significantly advancing the sport in England, earning him the title "the father of the English turf." He played a key role in formalizing and popularizing horse racing, particularly through his patronage and the organization of races.

The Newmarket Town Plate races, which are among the oldest recorded horse races in England, were established in the 17th century. The first official Newmarket Town plate race was held at Newmarket in 1666, during Charles II's reign. Newmarket has long been a central location for English racing, continuing to host important races to this day.

Turf consists of natural grasses growing on a track. Generally, the type of grass grown is based on the climate for that specific region of racing.  For example, Keeneland’s turf course is a mix of rye, bluegrass, and tall fescue which grows best during the cooler spring and fall seasons. The turf course has a foundation of sand, silt, and clay which creates a soft, springy race course. Currently, 31 racecourses in North America have a turf course. Many of the turf races are run at certain times of the year depending on the season. This is because the turf is a living surface that grows depending on the weather and geographical location. 

When a track receives a large amount of rain, the track superintendent, a professional who oversees the care and maintenance of the racetrack, will determine whether to take the races scheduled on the turf course “off the turf”. This means the turf races will now be run on the dirt course at the designated distance that would be equal to the original distance on the turf. When this happens, many horses are “scratched” or taken out of the race. This is done at the discretion of the trainer because some turf horses do not like the dirt surface. Horses can be entered into turf races as “Main Track Only” or “MTO” entries. This means those horses will ONLY run if a race is taken off the turf and run on dirt. Many turf horses also take well to synthetic surfaces, which we will cover in an upcoming installment.

Stay tuned for the next installment of our blog on racetrack surfaces! There's still plenty of history to explore and enjoy about these surfaces.