A horse race is a competition between several horses over the course of a long distance, where winners earn a significant amount of money. The term is most commonly used to refer to Thoroughbred racing, but it may also be applied to other types of horse races. For example, the steeplechase is a grueling form of horse racing that requires participants to jump over obstacles. This race is often compared to a cross-country event for humans, and it is widely regarded as one of the most difficult for a horse to win.
A thoroughbred is a breed of horse that was developed to run at high speeds. The breed was first created in Europe, but it did not come to America until 1664, when colonists brought the horses with them from the British Isles. Initially, organized horse racing was focused on stamina rather than speed, and horses were bred to withstand a long race. The sport became more competitive after the Civil War, when breeders began breeding a new generation of fast horses.
To win a horse race, a jockey must be able to guide his mount through the course and overtake any other horses that are ahead of him. Jockeys must also be able to handle a horse in an emergency and avoid any dangerous situations or incidents. This type of horse racing requires a great deal of skill and experience to be successful, and riders are paid based on the number of wins they produce for their owners.
Before a horse race begins, the jockeys must weigh in and receive their riding hats from an official. The horses are then led to the starting gate, which is electrically operated at most tracks. As the race is running, stewards and patrol judges watch for rule infractions. Saliva and urine samples are also taken from the horses. If a horse is found to be in violation of the rules, it must be disqualified.
After a race, the stewards announce the results. The winning horse is usually awarded the highest prize money, which is determined by calculating the amount of bets that were placed on it. A horse that finishes second or third receives a smaller amount of prize money, which is determined by the total amount of bets on the other horses in the race.
The popularity of horse racing has declined in recent years, partly because new would-be fans are turned off by the sport’s history of doping and safety scandals. The industry also faces increased competition from other forms of gambling, and it is more expensive to raise and train a racehorse than it once was.
Some animal activists say horse racing is not a sport at all, but a business model. According to Patrick Battuello, who runs the activist group Horseracing Wrongs, “Horseracing is a Big Lie—it’s a business that exploits animals for profit by drugging them, whipping them, and training and racing them too young, then sending them to slaughter.” In fact, PETA estimates that ten thousand American thoroughbreds are killed every year, mostly in Canada or Mexico.