Motor racing traces its roots back to the very first motorised automobiles. In those early days, the sport looked nothing like the high‑tech spectacles we see today. Cars were massive, fuel‑hungry beasts with modest power, often unreliable and prone to breaking down at a moment’s notice. Many lacked even the most basic comforts such as windshields or proper cockpits. Yet a daring generation of young, fearless drivers pushed these machines to their limits in pursuit of glory and the thrill of speed. As the sport matured, it underwent dramatic transformations, faced legal constraints, and eventually fell under the watchful eye of governing bodies that enforce strict rules and regulations.

10 Historic Car Races That Shaped Motor Racing

10 Gordon Bennett Races

The first truly international race series ever conceived was the brainchild of the flamboyant James Gordon Bennett Jr., a millionaire publisher of the New York Herald. In 1899, he offered a trophy to the Automobile Club de France, stipulating that it be contested annually by automobile clubs from various European nations. A unique rule required every component of a competing vehicle to be manufactured in the country it represented, wheels included. The inaugural race in 1900 ran from Paris to Lyon and was won by Frenchman Fernand Charron behind the wheel of a Panhard‑Levassor. Between 1900 and 1905, six races were held; four were sprint‑style city‑to‑city events, while the 1903 and 1905 editions were circuit races at Athy in Ireland and the Circuit d’Auvergne in France. This series also marks the earliest recorded instance of organised circuit racing, a format that later evolved into the Grand Prix after 1905. France dominated the Gordon Bennett contests, securing four victories, while Britain’s Napier claimed a win in 1902 and Germany’s Mercedes triumphed in 1903.

9 Vanderbilt Cup

While a myriad of independent racing series were sprouting across Europe in the first decade of the twentieth century, American auto‑enthusiast William Kissam Vanderbilt Jr. wanted to spark a similar boom stateside. In 1904 he launched the Vanderbilt Cup, an international competition open to entrants from any nation. The race’s announcement sparked political and legal controversy, as many tried to block its realization, but Vanderbilt persisted. The Cup quickly became the first major trophy in American auto racing history. Early editions (1904‑1910) were held on Long Island and delivered some of the era’s most exhilarating contests. Iconic early winners included the Locomobile and the Lozier. After 1910 the venue shifted to Wisconsin, then Santa Monica, and later San Francisco, before the United States entered World War I in 1916, causing the race’s suspension. A revival came in 1936 when George Washington Vanderbilt III sponsored a 300‑mile event at the newly built Roosevelt Raceway, but lackluster competition and a dull format led to its abandonment after just two years. Another revival occurred from 1960‑1968 before the Cup merged with the Bridgehampton Sports Car Races.

8 Targa Florio

One of the world’s oldest endurance road races, the Targa Florio was founded in 1906 by Italian racer Vincenzo Florio. The competition wound around the 72‑kilometre Circuito Piccolo delle Madonie, traversing the rugged Sicilian mountains. The first edition featured three laps of treacherous, winding roads, with Alessandro Cagno taking the victory. By the mid‑1920s the Targa Florio had eclipsed both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Mille Miglia, which were not yet established. In 1955 the race joined the FIA World Sportscar Championship, attracting legends such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Tazio Nuvolari and Alfieri Maserati. The event’s final world‑championship edition came in 1973, won by a Porsche 911 prototype, and it continued as a national race until 1977, when a fatal crash forced its cessation. Porsche later honoured the event by naming its iconic Targa model after the race.

7 Peking‑Paris Race

The legendary Peking‑Paris challenge originated from a daring editorial in the Paris newspaper Le Matin, which asked manufacturers whether a man could traverse the globe by automobile. The 1907 contest spanned two continents and covered roughly 15,000 km, a feat unimaginable when most still relied on horse‑drawn carriages. Forty teams entered, but only five actually shipped their machines to Peking (today’s Beijing): a Dutch Spyker, a French Contal three‑wheeler, two French De Dion cars, and an Italian 120 hp Itala driven by Prince Scipione Borghese. Each car carried a journalist as a passenger to chronicle the journey. The route followed the telegraph line, exposing crews to extreme hardships: wooden bridges collapsed, quicksand trapped vehicles, and some cars were refuelled with benzene. The Contal 3‑wheeler succumbed to the Gobi Desert and withdrew, while the Itala endured a broken bridge and rope‑hauling. After months of perilous adventure, the Itala crossed the finish line in Paris ahead of the Spyker. The race shattered doubts about the automobile’s viability and has been re‑enacted several times, most recently with 126 classic cars celebrating its centenary.

6 New York‑Paris Race

Following the Peking‑Paris triumph, the 1908 New York‑Paris race was conceived as the ultimate proof‑of‑concept for the automobile. Six cars from four nations set off from Times Square on a frosty February morning. With few paved roads, competitors often rode balloon‑tired machines atop railway tracks for hundreds of miles when no road existed. The original plan called for a trek to Alaska, with a ship across the Bering Strait, but brutal Alaskan cold forced a reroute through Seattle and a trans‑Pacific shipment to Yokohama, Japan. In Japan, the drivers encountered astonished locals who had never seen a car. From there the route continued north to Vladivostok, then across Siberia’s tundra, where progress was measured in feet per hour. After a grueling three‑continent odyssey, the competitors finally reached Europe. The American Thomas‑Flyer arrived in Paris on 30 July, four days after the German Protos, but the Germans were penalised 30 days for skipping the Alaskan leg, awarding the victory to the Thomas‑Flyer. Its driver, George Schuster, was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2010.

5 Indianapolis 500

Dubbed the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500 debuted in 1911 and remains an annual May tradition. The race takes place on the iconic oval of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana, covering 500 miles (200 laps). The inaugural winner, Ray Harroun, piloted a Marmon Model‑32 “Wasp” and famously completed the entire event without a riding mechanic—a bold move that sparked controversy. The prize purse, $50,000 in 1912, attracted global manufacturers, including European marques such as Fiat and Peugeot. Over the years the event’s engine regulations shifted: 3‑liter limits (1920‑22), 2‑liter (1923‑25), and 1.5‑liter (1926‑29). After both World Wars, the Speedway fell into disrepair, overgrown with weeds. Entrepreneur Tony Hulman revived the venue and the Indy 500, ushering in a golden age for American motor sport.

4 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans stands as the oldest and most prestigious endurance race still contested today. First held to test the reliability and efficiency of production cars on the Sarthe circuit in France, the event quickly attracted every major marque. The 1960s saw fierce rivalries, most famously between Henry Ford’s determination to defeat Ferrari and the Italian giant’s dominance. Iconic winners included the Ford Mark IV, Ferrari 250 GTO, Porsche 917, and Chevrolet Corvette. Le Mans also introduced the famous “Le Mans start,” where drivers sprinted to their cars, jumped in, started engines, and drove off without assistance—a practice later banned for safety reasons. Modern editions see competitors covering more than 5,000 km, roughly eighteen times the distance of a typical Formula 1 Grand Prix.

3 Mille Miglia

The Mille Miglia, launched in 1927 by Italian enthusiast Count Aymo Maggi, was arguably the last great road‑race of its era. Starting and finishing in Brescia, the event covered a thousand miles of Italy’s scenic countryside, showcasing the nation’s finest grand‑tourer marques—Maserati, Isotta‑Fraschini, Fiat, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo. The race met a tragic end in 1957 after a fatal crash that claimed Ferrari driver Alfonso de Portago, his navigator Edmund Nelson, and nine spectators, including five children. The catastrophe led to the event’s cancellation, marking the close of an iconic chapter in motor‑sport history.

2 Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix, first run in 1929, is arguably the most glamorous and prestigious stop on the Formula 1 calendar, forming part of the sport’s unofficial “Triple Crown” alongside Le Mans and the Indy 500. Unlike earlier Grand Prix events held on purpose‑built tracks or in the countryside, Monaco’s race unfolds on the narrow, twisting streets of Monte Carlo, complete with a tunnel and tight hairpins that test a car’s handling above all else. Early winners were dominated by agile Bugattis, later supplanted by the powerful Alfa Romeo 8C Monza in the 1930s. Ayrton Senna, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers ever, claimed six victories at Monaco, including an unprecedented streak of five consecutive wins from 1989 to 1993.

1 Carrera Panamericana

The Carrera Panamericana emerged in 1950 as a spectacular Mexican road race designed to showcase the newly completed Panamerican Highway. The inaugural edition spanned nine stages over five days, covering roughly 3,300 km from the country’s northern border to its southern tip. The route’s extreme elevation changes—rising from 328 feet to 10,500 feet above sea level—forced teams to adjust carburettors for thin air. Winners Hershel McGriff and Ray Elliott piloted an Oldsmobile, while later races saw successes from the Mercedes‑Benz “Gullwing” 300 SL and the Porsche 550 Spyder. Porsche’s dominance in various classes highlighted the reliability of the VW‑based Beetle lineage. After a tragic crash at Le Mans in 1955, the race—along with other dangerous road events—was discontinued. It was revived in 1988 by Eduardo de León Camargo and continues today as a celebrated historic motorsport festival.

These ten legendary contests not only pushed the limits of engineering and human courage but also laid the foundation for the modern motorsport world we adore today.

Some folks swear that a cosmic civilization predates humanity, while others claim that extraterrestrials swooped in to kick‑start our species. The theory goes that these otherworldly visitors pop in now and then, quietly monitoring our progress as if we were a petri dish under a divine microscope. Below, we unveil the ten enigmatic alien races that, according to various accounts, have been in touch with Earth.

10 Grays

The Grays hail from a star system called Zeta Reticuli, tucked away in the southern celestial hemisphere. Roughly 40 light‑years from us, they’re practically next‑door neighbors we keep forgetting to invite for dinner.

If anyone had to be cast as the classic “bad guys” of the cosmos, it would be these tall, humanoid beings with elongated skulls and that unmistakable gray hue. They dominate sci‑fi imagery and dominate the testimonies of countless alleged abductees who claim to have been returned to Earth after a brief sojourn aboard their ships.

Grays are notorious for their abduction escapades because they treat humanity like a giant, interstellar chicken farm—ripe with genetic material they’re eager to harvest. They swoop in, select a “juicy” sample, whisk it away for unknown experiments, and if the first pick doesn’t meet their standards, they simply return it and try again.

See also: 10 Undeniable Signs That Prove Aliens Exist

9 The Sassani

Hybrid beings appear throughout the galaxy, and the Sassani are a prime example—a blend of reptilian and gray‑human DNA. Their creation was spurred when the Grays, after mutating through intense genetic tinkering, lost the ability to reproduce via conventional alien intercourse, resorting instead to cloning, which inevitably led to a genetic stagnation across generations.

To remedy this, the Sassani journeyed to Earth and coaxed a handful of humans into sharing their genetic blueprints. The resulting cross‑species exchange birthed a new lineage, the Sassani, who were subsequently granted their own world to evolve and flourish as a distinct, advanced race.

The Sassani are said to possess a heightened connection to higher consciousness, positioning them as a future evolutionary step for humanity. Though they’re millennia ahead of us, they count among the up to fifteen alien races actively guiding humanity’s awakening.

8 Arcturians

Among the Milky Way’s many sentient species, the Arcturians are revered as the oldest and wisest. If any alien race could spawn a Yoda‑like sage, it would be them. Legends say they were the first star system to receive the spark of life, seeding countless other worlds—including ours.

Arcturians typically stand about five feet tall, sport green skin, and possess large, penetrating eyes. Their emphasis on mental development over physical prowess means they’re diminutive but possess an intellect that can bend reality, making them the galaxy’s premier “Force” users.

Renowned for their compassion, Arcturians are considered the most benevolent beings in the cosmos. Cross them, and you’ve earned yourself a reputation as a galactic jerk.

7 The Nordics

The Nordics bear a striking resemblance to Norse deities—blonde hair, ice‑blue eyes, and athletic, six‑foot‑tall physiques. Their aesthetic explains why many associate Thor with these extraterrestrials.

Unlike the Grays, the Nordics are reputed to care deeply about humanity’s welfare. Some eyewitnesses claim they share spacecraft with the Grays, leading to speculation that the Grays might serve as their obedient aides, given the former’s lack of empathy.

6 The Pleiadians

Originating from the radiant Pleiades star cluster, the Pleiadians are one of the few alien races that closely mirror human appearance. They’re considered among the ten alien races maintaining contact with Earth, meaning you could be sharing a coffee table with a Pleiadian right now without realizing it.

What sets them apart is their acute sensitivity to the psychic currents flowing through the universe. To reach out to a Pleiadian, you simply need to focus your mind and emit a clear, calm mental signal—no interstellar Wi‑Fi required.

However, they won’t materialize just because you shouted “Beam me up!”—they respond to genuine, respectful psychic outreach, not brash demands.

5 The Yahyel

Among alien experts, the Yahyel are widely believed to be the first race poised to announce their presence to humanity. They’re celebrated for their kindness and for having an exceptionally harmonious relationship with technology—something Earth still struggles to achieve.

The Yahyel recognize humanity’s tendency to weaponize new inventions before using them for good. Consequently, they’re taking a patient, subtle approach to first contact, opting for gentle UFO displays that intrigue without intimidating.

A prime example is the March 1997 Phoenix Lights phenomenon, which the Yahyel claim to have orchestrated. Thousands across Arizona witnessed a spectacular aerial light show, and footage of the event still circulates online.

4 The Anunnaki

If humanity ever colonized another world, the first thing we’d likely do is plunder its resources. That’s precisely what the Anunnaki did when they arrived on Earth, descending from the enigmatic Planet X—also known as Nibiru—whose highly elongated orbit brings it close to the Sun only intermittently.

Historical records from ancient Mesopotamia hint at the Anunnaki’s presence long before modern archaeology could confirm it. Their arrival coincided with a massive celestial collision that birthed our planet, while their homeworld slammed into a rogue rock, creating the Earth we now inhabit.

During their stay, the Anunnaki were fixated on a gleaming yellow metal: gold. They enlisted humanity as a labor force to mine this coveted element, effectively turning us into an interstellar workforce devoted to satisfying their metallic cravings.

Thus, our relentless pursuit of gold may owe more to extraterrestrial desire than to any earthly value system.

3 Alpha Draconians

Before the Anunnaki’s gold‑driven expedition, the Alpha Draconians were the first extraterrestrial force to lay claim to Earth’s mineral wealth. Towering up to 22 feet, these muscular beings resembled a blend of dinosaurs and mythic dragons.

They were displeased when the Anunnaki arrived and usurped their mining operations. Nevertheless, the Draconians remain active, allegedly placing loyal operatives within high‑level governments to bide their time for a future takeover.

In short, they’re the muscle‑bound, ancient overlords waiting patiently behind the scenes.

2 The Reptilians

Prior to the Anunnaki’s gold‑fueled arrival, Earth was already home to an intelligent reptilian species. Roughly human‑sized, scaly, and highly secretive, these Reptilians were forced underground when the Anunnaki claimed the surface.

They now dwell in a labyrinthine network of tunnels beneath the planet. Adventurous souls who stumble upon these passages may find themselves facing a hostile, flesh‑eating encounter, as the Reptilians are rumored to punish intruders by displaying their skeletal remains as grim warnings.

In essence, the Reptilians are the subterranean guardians of Earth’s hidden depths, fiercely protective of their domain.

1 Nommos

Some extraterrestrial cultures chose to bond with specific Earth tribes that resonated with them. While the Nordics linked with the Scandinavians, the Dogon people of Mali forged a connection with the Nommos, who are said to originate from the brightest star in our night sky—Sirius.

The Dogon possessed knowledge of Sirius’s binary nature centuries before telescopes could confirm it, even understanding the orbital period of Sirius B around Sirius A. This uncanny awareness suggests that the Nommos shared celestial insights long before modern astronomy could catch up.

Are There Any Confirmed Alien Races in Contact With Earth?

At present, there is no concrete scientific evidence confirming the existence of extraterrestrial beings in contact with Earth. However, there are numerous claims and theories about such contact, but none have been widely accepted within the scientific community.

What Are Some Common Descriptions of Alleged Alien Races?

Descriptions of alleged alien races vary widely, ranging from humanoid beings with distinct physical features to more abstract forms. Some commonly mentioned types include the Grays, Reptilians, Nordics, and Pleiadians, among others. These descriptions often come from individuals claiming to have had encounters with these beings.

How Do People Claim to Have Contact With These Alien Races?

Contact experiences are typically reported as encounters involving sightings, abductions, or telepathic communication. Some individuals claim to have been taken aboard spacecraft, subjected to medical examinations, or engaged in conversations with these beings. However, the veracity of these claims is often debated.

Are There Any Credible Sources Supporting Claims of Alien Contact?

While there are numerous accounts and testimonies from individuals claiming contact with alien races, there is a lack of scientifically verifiable evidence to support these claims. Most evidence consists of anecdotal reports, photos, videos, and other forms of documentation, which often lack sufficient credibility to be considered scientifically valid.

What Do Scientists Say About the Existence of Alien Races in Contact With Earth?

The scientific community generally maintains skepticism regarding claims of alien contact due to the absence of empirical evidence. While many scientists acknowledge the vastness of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, they emphasize the need for rigorous scientific investigation and verifiable evidence before making any conclusive statements.

Are There Any Government Disclosures About Alien Contact?

Over the years, various governments have released documents related to UFO sightings and investigations, but none have provided definitive evidence of contact with alien races. While some conspiracy theories suggest government cover‑ups of such contact, there is no substantiated evidence to support these claims.

What About UFO Sightings? Do They Confirm Alien Contact?

UFO sightings, while often associated with claims of alien contact, do not necessarily provide evidence of such encounters. Unidentified flying objects simply refer to aerial phenomena that cannot be readily explained by conventional means. While some sightings remain unexplained, they do not inherently imply contact with alien races.

How Can I Differentiate Between Credible Information and Misinformation About Alien Races?

It is essential to approach information about alien races with skepticism and critical thinking. Look for credible sources supported by scientific evidence and peer‑reviewed research. Be cautious of sensationalized claims, unsubstantiated anecdotes, and sources lacking credibility or reliability.

What Should I Do If I Believe I’ve Had Contact With an Alien Race?

If you believe you’ve had contact with an alien race, you may consider seeking support from mental health professionals, support groups, or organizations specializing in UFO and abduction phenomena. It’s crucial to approach such experiences with an open mind while also maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism.

Will We Ever Know the Truth About Alien Contact?

The truth about alien contact remains elusive and uncertain. While advancements in technology and scientific inquiry continue to expand our understanding of the universe, conclusive evidence of alien contact has yet to be discovered. Only through rigorous scientific investigation and open‑minded inquiry can we hope to uncover the truth, if it exists, about extraterrestrial beings and their potential contact with Earth.

Humans are competitive animals. They love to win. Those who can, race; those who can’t, train animals to take part in contests for them. It is impossible to say when the first races involving animals were held, but it is likely that it was deep in the past. Chances were that something was wagered on the outcome too.

Today you can gamble on the outcome of a bewildering variety of animal races. Here are ten of the whackiest races around.

Related: 10 Unusual Stories Involving Drunk Animals

10 Oxford Cambridge Goat Race

One of the highlights of the British sporting year is the annual Oxford and Cambridge boat race. The fight between the two ancient universities of England was first run in 1829 on the Thames, and nearly a quarter of a million people cheered on the boats from the banks. Less well-known—but just as thrilling—is the Oxford Cambridge Goat Race.

Taking place each year at Spitalfields City Farm, you can watch two goats go head to head for the honor of their university. One is dressed in the majestic blue of Oxford while the other is resplendent in the slightly different blue of Cambridge. Because goats are not the most biddable of animals, the two are lured along the track by a person carrying a bucket of food.

Interestingly, the Oxford and Cambridge race is not the only goat race. In Tobago, you can watch multiple goats trotting in competition on the Tuesday after Easter. The race was first held on the streets but has since been relocated to a $100 million sporting arena.^[1]

9 Tortoise and Hare

Aesop was one of the great storytellers of antiquity—if he really existed. The collection of short fables that have come down to us under his name contains some of the most famous stories in the world. The Boy Who Cried Wolf, the Sour Grapes, and the Town and Country Mice are stories most children hear and have no trouble understanding their morals. The same is true of the Tortoise and the Hare—slow and steady wins the race.

But some people cannot just enjoy a good story. Some have decided to restage the race between the slow tortoise and the swift hare. Several videos can be found online that show these competitions. Oddly, it seems that Aesop got it right. In most of the real races, the tortoise manages to slowly shuffle to victory at the finishing line while the rabbit loses interest and simply stops to eat the grass.^[2]

8 Ostrich Races

Ostriches are capable of reaching speeds of 45 mph (70 kph). They are also the tallest and heaviest of all living birds and can give a very nasty kick when threatened. This makes ostrich racing all the more bizarre. Not content with having the birds race against each other, in ostrich racing, the birds have jockeys on their back.

In the old days, the ostriches were harnessed to small carriages that pulled the driver. Today the jockeys cling to the back of the birds as best they can. They only have the feathers to grab hold of, which probably does not make the ostriches very happy. Many of the jockeys do not make it to the end of the track.^[3]

7 Yabby Races

If you get annoyed that you can’t eat the animals at the end of their race, then there is a sport in Australia that might just be right for you. Yabbies are crayfish native to Australia and are delicious boiled or barbecued. They also make for entertaining races.

In each race, ten yabbies are placed in the middle of a ring marked on the ground. To differentiate between them, they are marked with numbers painted on them with white-out. The contest ends when the winner places its claw outside the ring.

The bets placed on the match take the form of an auction. Bidders call out the number and price they’re willing to pay. All the money raised goes into a pot (as the losers may also be placed later), and the owner of the winning yabby claims all the cash.^[4]

6 Makepung Buffalo Races

Sometimes the most entertaining games come out of boredom. One day in Bali, farmers were bringing in the rice harvest with their buffalo when they decided to make it a race. That is how Makepung was born.

Two bull buffalo are harnessed to a cart that a rider stands on as they hurtle along a track. The buffalo are dressed for the occasion with painted horns and fancy necklaces and garlands. The race may not be entirely pleasant for them, however—to get the buffalo to reach full speed, the drivers twist their tails and lash their backs with a whip.

There is a prize of sorts for the victors. Those bulls who win can be sold for high prices and spend the rest of their lives as a stud fathering other racing bulls.^[5]

5 Ban’ei Races

Thoroughbred horses used in standard races are sleekly muscled and have glistening coats. But looks aren’t everything. There are horse races in Japan that test both the speed and strength of the horse. Ban’ei are races that see draft horses dragging heavy sleds over a track filled with ups and downs. A jockey stands behind them and drives them on. These sleds can weigh up to a ton.

The races began as an outgrowth of agriculture, with horses being raced as they pulled in harvests or moved equipment. Because of the weight of the sled, the races sometimes include a pause after the first slope to allow the horses time to recover before facing the second incline.

The sport has nearly died out, but the popularity of gambling on the events has seen it make something of a comeback.^[6]

4 Cane Toad Racing

Cane toads are a pest in Australia. They were originally introduced to Australia from America in an effort to control the cane beetle, which was attacking sugarcane crops. It turned out, however, that the cure was worse than the disease. Soon, the cane toad population exploded and severely damaged the natural ecosystem. Now the toads number in the hundreds of millions, and the cane beetle has hardly been dented.

Attempts are being made to eradicate the toads but with only limited success. Some are trying to find uses for the toads, such as blending them into fertilizer or making leather from their skin. Others are turning them into a sport.

Cane toad racing sees the toads prettied up with ribbons to mark them and placed at the center of a ring. They are then released, and the first to escape the ring is the victor. Like in yabby racing, the toads are bought in an auction, and the winning owner gets some of the total money raised. Some of the prize pot is given to charity—often a charity aiming to get rid of the cane toads.^[7]

3 Snail Racing

Races are usually high-paced and adrenalin-fuelled spectacles. Snail racing is a little more relaxed affair. The race is one of the few animal competitions that can be held on a tabletop, so it can be played almost anywhere by anyone.

Usually, the common garden snail native to Europe is used. Once again, it can be tricky to spot the difference between the competitors. Racing snails are usually painted with colors to help identify the race participants. They are then placed in the center of a ring around 12 inches in diameter, and the winner is the first to cross the edge.

The longest-running snail race takes place in Congham, England. To give an idea of the speeds involved in snail racing, you should know that the fastest ever winner clocked in with a completion time of two minutes.^[8]

2 Shetland Pony Grand National

Ever wanted to see a horse race but thought the horses were just too big? Welcome to the fun-sized world of Shetland pony races. Shetland ponies are tough little horses that were bred to pull small carts. For years they were used in mines because they would not block the shaft. Today, most Shetland ponies are kept as pets though some are used instead of guide dogs.

For Shetland pony racing, both the horses and jockeys are smaller than usual. The riders are usually children because putting an adult on a Shetland pony would probably just result in a collapsed pony. Children can be riders until they reach 5 feet (1.5 meters) in height.

The Grand National is the most prestigious horse race in the United Kingdom, and the Grand National Shetland Pony race is just like it in everything but scale. The jumps are of a suitably cute size for their suitably cute jumpers.^[9]

1 Monkey Jockey Greyhound Race

In a list of animal races, it is perhaps unfair to include events where humans are involved at all. To make up for it, here is an event that includes not one species but two. Greyhounds are a common racing animal—but putting monkeys on their back to act as jockeys is not so common.

The events started in the 1920s in Australia and caught on in the 1930s in the United States. The monkeys were strapped to the back of the greyhounds wearing tiny silks that looked exactly like those used by human jockeys. In 1933, a patent was applied for that covered the design of a miniature saddle and harness for monkey riders.

The fad for monkey jockeys did not last long. Many people considered the sport to be cruel to both the monkeys and the greyhounds involved. Today, it can only be seen in grainy footage from the time.^[10]