A horse race is a contest of speed between horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by drivers in sulkies. The sport is a multibillion dollar industry and has a long history that spans centuries. It has undergone significant changes, including technological advancements and updates to racing regulations. The game has many fans around the world and attracts spectators from a variety of backgrounds.
In medieval England, wealthy nobles and aristocrats demonstrated their horses’ top speed to potential buyers by racing them on open fields or roads. They hired professional riders, known as jockeys, to ride the horses bareback and coax their maximum performance. Eventually, these riders began to make their livings as professional jockeys, and horse races became more and more formalized, with wagers offering large purses. If an owner withdrew, he or she forfeited half the purse (and, later, the whole amount) and bets were settled by disinterested third parties who came to be known as keepers of the match book.
Modern horse racing is a commercial enterprise that emphasizes speed over stamina, but the sport’s roots are in endurance and distance running. Historically, races were held over a quarter, a half, or sometimes a full mile course, depending on custom. Most flat races are still run over that distance, although there are some shorter sprints and longer steeplechases.
Horse racing is a brutal sport, and injuries to the animals are not uncommon. Injuries are a cost of drawing people to the betting window, and the industry often minimizes or ignores them. This, and the euthanasia of a large number of injured horses each year, has drawn protests from animal rights groups.
The humane treatment of horses is a major concern for many racing fans. The use of banned drugs in training, as well as the isolation and confinement that can lead to the not-infrequent deaths of these athletes, is one reason why some people want to ban horse racing altogether.
An example of a horse race is the Preakness Stakes, which took place last year at Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland. Before the race, the horses are paraded past a group of officials and trainers in the paddock area, where they are saddled for their big day.
During the race, spectators watch the horses from various vantage points, including the grandstand and the infield. They can also bet on the outcome of the race by placing a bet with an individual track bookmaker.
During elections, some journalists focus too much on who is winning or losing rather than on policy issues. This is called horse race coverage and can hurt voters, candidates, and the news industry itself, multiple studies have shown.