Ancient shrine to a Roman jockey reveals 2,000-year-old horse racing rules - and it shows champions were banned from ever competing again

  • Ancient tablet was been discovered in Konya, Turkey, as part of monument
  • Greek inscription details rules of horse racing some 2,000 years ago
  • Says winning horses and other animals in the winning owner's stables were banned from racing again, to give others a chance of glory
  • Means there were likely no superstar horses like Red Rum in ancient times 

Red Rum may have made modern horse racing history with his consecutive wins, but the rules of the sport were very different 2,000 years ago.

A stone tablet has been discovered in Konya, Turkey that outlines the ancient rules of racing - and it may be the oldest rules of the sport ever found.

The Greek inscription reveals winning horses and other others trained in the winning owner's stables were banned from racing after a victory to give other competitors a chance of glory.

An ancient tablet has been discovered in Konya, Turkey that outlines the ancient rules of racing and it may be the oldest rules of the sport ever found. Part of the larger monument in which it was found is shown

An ancient tablet has been discovered in Konya, Turkey that outlines the ancient rules of racing and it may be the oldest rules of the sport ever found. Part of the larger monument in which it was found is shown

The tablet was once part of the Lukuyanus Monument, which is thought to have been erected in memory of a Roman jockey named Lukuyanus who died at an early age around 2,000 years ago.

It was found at the site of an ancient hippodrome, which the Greeks used for horse racing and chariot racing – sports which were also enjoyed by the Romans.

Professor Hasan Bahar from Selçuk University's History Department told Hurriyet Daily News, the tablet refers to a Roman jockey named Lukuyanus and it will help historians better understand the history of horse racing and breeding in the area. 

The Greek inscription (pictured) says winning horses and other animals in the winning owner¿s stables were banned from racing again, to give others a chance of glory

The Greek inscription (pictured) says winning horses and other animals in the winning owner's stables were banned from racing again, to give others a chance of glory

The tablet was found at the site of an ancient hippodrome, which the Greeks used for horse racing and chariot racing ¿ sports which were also enjoyed by the Romans. An image of a Roman hippodrome in ancient city of Aphrodisias, Turkey is shown above

The tablet was found at the site of an ancient hippodrome, which the Greeks used for horse racing and chariot racing – sports which were also enjoyed by the Romans. An image of a Roman hippodrome in ancient city of Aphrodisias, Turkey is shown above

WHAT WERE HIPPODROMES? 

Hippodromes were ancient Greek stadiums used for horse and chariot racing.

The name is derived from the Greek words hippos, meaning horse, and dromos, meaning course.

Many had oval-shaped 'tracks' surrounded by staged seating so spectators could see easily and remain safe from chariot crashes, especially.

At both ends of the hippodrome there were posts (termai) that the chariots turned around. This was the most dangerous part of the track, and the Greeks put an altar to Taraxippus (disturber of horses) there to show the spot where many chariots wrecked.

The Greek hippodrome was similar to the Roman Circus, but wasn’t used for other sports such as Gladiator fighting and theatrical performance, for example. 

Commenting on the rules inscribed on the tablet, he explained: 'It says that if a horse comes in first place in a race it cannot participate in other races, while another horse of the winning horse's owner also cannot enter another race.

'In this way, others were given a chance to win.

'This was a beautiful rule, showing that unlike races in the modern world, races back then were based on gentlemanly conduct.'

The artefact is rare and the professor said he has never seen another like it containing details about a race, Atlas Obscura reported.

He believes it is the oldest one describing rules for the sport.

Horse racing has a long and distinguished history and has been practiced in civilisations across the world since ancient times.

Then, it was particularly dangerous because races tended to follow those of chariots, which had churned up the ground in a hippodrome leaving jockeys with an uneven surface to negotiate. 

Professor Hasan Bahar from Selçuk University's History Department told Hurriyet Daily News the tablet refers to a Roman jockey named Lukuyanus and it will help historians better understand the history of horse racing and breeding in the area. The monument in which it was found is shown

Professor Hasan Bahar from Selçuk University's History Department told Hurriyet Daily News the tablet refers to a Roman jockey named Lukuyanus and it will help historians better understand the history of horse racing and breeding in the area. The monument in which it was found is shown

Under the ancient rules, superstar horses which won many races such as Red Rum (pictured with his trainer, Ginger McCain) were not allowed to compete again in order to give other competitors a chance

Under the ancient rules, superstar horses which won many races such as Red Rum (pictured with his trainer, Ginger McCain) were not allowed to compete again in order to give other competitors a chance

Jockeys rode without stirrups or saddles, which had yet to be invented, and were frequently thrown off their horses, The British Museum said.

Unlike in the Grand National, for example, riderless horses could still win a race by being the first past the post, and winning horses and their owner were given an enthusiastic reception. 

Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in Babylon, Syria as well as ancient Greece.

It also plays an important part of myth and legend, such as the contest between the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology, which was popular among the Vikings. 

Horse racing has a long and distinguished history and has been practised in civilisations across the world since ancient times. The tablet containing rules of the sport is shown above

Horse racing has a long and distinguished history and has been practised in civilisations across the world since ancient times. The tablet containing rules of the sport is shown above

The artefact is rare (shown in situ) and the professor said he has never seen another like it containing details about a race. He believes it is the oldest one describing rules for the sport

The artefact is rare (shown in situ) and the professor said he has never seen another like it containing details about a race. He believes it is the oldest one describing rules for the sport

A QUICK HISTORY OF HORSE AND CHARIOT RACING IN ANCIENT TIMES 

Archaeological records indicate horse racing occurred in Ancient Greece, Babylon, Syria, and Egypt.

Chariot racing was one of the most popular ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine sports.

Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC and their popularity spread.

This was despite the fact chariot racing was often dangerous to both driver and horse as they frequently suffered serious injury and even death.

While wealthy owners of horses and chariots sometimes took part in the events, they often hired riders or charioteers.

The races took place in a hippodrome and the most dangerous point was at the turning post, where chariot wheels could lock together and there were many crashes.

Horse riders didn’t use stirrups and saddles and were often thrown off their steeds, particularly when the ground in a hippodrome was churned up, meaning they had to ride on an uneven and unpredictable surface.

In the Roman Empire, chariot and mounted horse racing were major industries and from the mid-15th century until 1882, spring carnival in Rome closed with a horse race where riderless animals ran the length of the Via del Corso.

Horse racing was later dubbed the ‘Sport of Kings’ when it became popular with aristocrats and royalty of British society.

Historically, equestrians honed their skills through games and races, which they needed for battle. Jousting is an example of this and took place in Medieval and Tudor times, for example.