This phrase is derived from an old tradition of keeping a goat in a stable with a race horse. The goat was an inexpesive companion for the horse and (perhaps more importantly) was a cheap companion to keep!
The goat was thought to be a settling influence on the thouroughbred racehorse. Thoroughbreds can sometimes be highly strung and excitable, due to their breeding. So a goat would keep them calm. Obviously this is particularly important before a race, when the horse needs to be calm and focussed.
So, if you owned a horse running in the same race and wanted to sabotage your rival's horse, then the night before the race, you would steal his goat, leaving the poor horse all nervous and less likely to win. Getting the goat would obviously upset the rival horse's owner, so the phrase has evolved into modern day language meaning to upset someone.
The goat was thought to be a settling influence on the thouroughbred racehorse. Thoroughbreds can sometimes be highly strung and excitable, due to their breeding. So a goat would keep them calm. Obviously this is particularly important before a race, when the horse needs to be calm and focussed.
So, if you owned a horse running in the same race and wanted to sabotage your rival's horse, then the night before the race, you would steal his goat, leaving the poor horse all nervous and less likely to win. Getting the goat would obviously upset the rival horse's owner, so the phrase has evolved into modern day language meaning to upset someone.
