A horse race is a competition of speed between horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies. It is one of the world’s most ancient sports, dating back to chariot racing in Asia Minor and the Olympic Games of 740 to 700 bc. Some critics of horse racing call the sport inhumane and corrupted by doping and overbreeding, but others argue that while it may need reform, it remains an important part of our culture and history.
Many people consider horse races to be the most exciting and prestigious sporting events in the world, with bettors and spectators dressed in their finest clothes. The sport is renowned for the beauty and athleticism of the horses, as well as the skill of the riders and drivers. In addition, it is a popular form of gambling. Regardless of whether you’re an avid horse race fan or just interested in learning more about the sport, it is important to know some of the basics of the game.
In a race, the winning horse is determined by the stewards in accordance with the rules and regulations of the game. The winner receives all the money wagered by bettors, minus a small percentage taken out by the track. The remainder is distributed to the runners-up and the winning jockey or sulky driver. The race is typically run over a course that is not flat, so the horses must be well trained to handle the varying terrain and speed of each race.
The sport is regulated by different nations, with some controlling the overall policy and others regulating specific tracks and horses. In England, the Jockey Club oversees long-term policy while in the United States, state racing commissions regulate the sport. In some countries, the government owns the tracks and horses.
A race can take several forms, from a simple sprint to an endurance race over a distance longer than 100 miles. A steeplechase is a particularly demanding event, in which the horse must hurdle fences or other obstacles while on a galloping horse. The racers’ physical fitness, the condition of the course and the weather all influence the outcome.
Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse racing is a grim world of injuries, drug abuse and gruesome breakdowns. While fans show off their fancy outfits and sip mint juleps, horses are running for their lives, often at speeds that can cause gruesome injuries and hemorrhage in the lungs. Unless rescued by independent nonprofit animal groups, most racehorses eventually end up at slaughterhouses in Mexico or Canada where they are euthanized after being “bailed” for a ransom.
Racing aficionados scoff at PETA and other activist organizations that expose the horrors of the sport. But it is a mistake to confuse hostility toward activists with dismissal of their work. Virtually no one outside the sport cares how PETA or other activists get their undercover video; they simply want to see it.