Horse race is a game in which players place bets on horses to win prize money. Typically, the race will be run over a specified distance on a course with obstacles (such as hurdles), and the winning horse must come over the finish line within a specific time limit. Some races are open only to a limited number of horses, while others are restricted by age, sex, or other factors. In addition, some races require the use of auxiliary starting gates when the capacity of the main gate is exceeded. The American Association of Equine Practitioners has endorsed a policy condemning unregulated horse racing, which carries the risk of injury and infectious disease to horses and humans.
Horse races are a form of gambling, and the rules of racing vary from country to country. Some states, such as Oregon and California, have legalized gambling on horse races and have regulations in place to protect the integrity of the sport. Other states, such as Kentucky and Maryland, have banned it.
The sport originated in ancient Greece, where races were held between chariots drawn by oxen or mules. During the early modern period, racing spread to other parts of Europe and North America. Today, it is a worldwide industry with about 100 track operators and over 1,700 licensed racehorses. It is a multibillion-dollar enterprise that employs thousands of people, including trainers, exercise riders, veterinary surgeons, and grooms.
While a number of laws and policies have been established to regulate horse racing, it remains a for-profit endeavor in which owners vie for the best odds and prize money while horses are subjected to exorbitant physical stress and, at times, fatal injuries. The deaths of Eight Belles and Medina Spirit, both Derby winners, prompted a reckoning about the sport’s ethics and integrity.
Many horses, particularly older ones, are prone to bleeding from their lungs after a hard race. This is known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, or EIPH. To prevent this, they are given medications such as Lasix and Salix, which are designed to decrease bleeding and improve performance. These drugs are known as blood doping, and they are widely used in the racing industry.
The most prestigious races are run over distances of two or more miles and are considered tests of both speed and stamina to some extent. These races are often referred to as classics or championship events, and winning one of them is considered a great achievement in horse racing. The winner is usually awarded a prize of at least $100,000, and the top three finishers receive large sums of money as well. This money is a major source of income for the horse breeders and jockeys who compete in these races. Some of these earnings are also shared with the owners of the horse. Other major sources of revenue for the horse industry include betting on races and the sale of breeding stock.