A horse race is a contest between a number of horses that is run over a distance of ground. The distance varies from country to country; sprint races, often held on dirt courses, are primarily a test of speed while long-distance races, known as routes in the United States and staying races in England, are typically a test of stamina. A horse’s speed and stamina are both measured on a scale known as a handicap, with a lower handicap rating being awarded to slower horses that have better stamina while a higher rating is given to faster horses that have more speed.
Horse racing has a long history and is an important part of culture in many countries. Its popularity has waxed and waned with prosperity, depression, war and peace. It enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the 1970s when great horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed won the Triple Crown. However, interest in the sport has waned since that time and its future remains uncertain.
The governance of the sport varies widely from nation to nation. In England the Jockey Club oversees long-term policy and in a few other nations the government regulates the sport. In the United States state racing commissions govern racing. Regardless of the governance structure, most nations have some form of pari-mutuel betting, where gamblers bet against each other and the winner receives a percentage of the total amount wagered on the race.
When a race is conducted, the horses are led to a starting gate, usually an electrically operated device, and they begin their journey around the course, sometimes over a dirt track but more frequently on grass. During the race, a steward or patrol judge — assisted by a patrol camera and a video monitor — looks for any rule violations. After the race the stewards determine the final results and announce them. A good trip for a horse is one in which it encounters no unusual difficulty and does not lose ground on other competitors. A bad trip, in contrast, could include a horse getting boxed in by other runners or racing wide and being passed by the leader at the turn.
The earliest races in England were match contests between two or, at most, three horses. Pressure by the public eventually produced open events with larger fields of runners and rules were developed to ensure fair play. Eligibility requirements were established based on the age, sex, birthplace and previous performance of the horse.
The sport of horse racing involves a lot of risk for both the horses and their riders. This is why safety is a major concern for horse racing fans, and a variety of measures are in place to keep the sport safe. Injuries to horses are not uncommon, and while some of them can be fatal, most are not. Despite this, many people avoid horse racing because of concerns about safety and animal welfare. This can be a barrier to new, potential fans.