What is a Horse Race?

A horse race is a contest of speed between horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pull sulkies driven by drivers. The horse race has a long and varied history in many countries. The first recorded horse races date from around 1500 bc in Asia Minor. Chariot races were held at the Olympic Games in 740 bc, and there are descriptions of bareback (mounted) races dating to the 9th or 8th century bc. The modern horse race is a popular sport in North America and Europe, but it can be a risky enterprise for horses, who can suffer catastrophic injuries from sudden exertion or accidents on the track.

Some of the world’s most prestigious flat races are run over distances of 11/2 miles (3 kilometers) to 2 miles (4 kilometers). These races are considered tests of both stamina and speed.

In these races, horses are handicapped based on the quality of their previous performance and their potential to win the race. The horses that have the best chance to win are listed as favorites. Other factors, such as form and a horse’s previous running distance, may also influence the odds.

The odds for winning a horse race are dictated by the amount of money wagered by bettors. Winning bettors receive all the money placed on their chosen horse, after a deduction of a percentage by the track. Winning bettors are paid according to the parimutuel system, which is a form of progressive betting.

Whether you’re a fan of the sport or not, it is impossible to ignore the brutality of the horse racing industry. The fact is that the deaths of Eight Belles and Medina Spirit, and countless other young horses who have died from the exorbitant physical stress of racing and training, are a reflection of how cruel the industry is and how far it has to go before it will truly put the welfare of its horses as its top priority.

If you can witness a young horse die tragically in a race or in training and then move on with barely a pang of remorse, it’s time to ask yourself what kind of person you really are. You can’t call yourself a horse lover if you can turn a blind eye to the suffering of horses like Eight Belles, Medina Spirit and Keepthename. They, and thousands of other racehorses before them, deserve a brighter future. And that begins with a fundamental change in the way the industry treats its horses.