Horse races are competitive events in which horses are ridden by jockeys (also called drivers) while bettors wager on their outcome. Although often associated with thoroughbred racing, this term can refer to any close contest that features horses.
Horses have long been an integral part of human culture and history. Archaeological evidence reveals horseracing was practiced among ancient civilizations such as Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon and Syria; mythological depictions include Odin riding Hrungnir’s steed and racing against Hrungnir (Norse mythology).
Horses are commonly bred for racing and sports activities. Breeds designed specifically to run faster are known as sprinters; endurance breeds also allow horses to race over longer distances with greater success.
Some races are open to all horses while others impose eligibility rules based on age, sex, birthplace or previous performance. Conditions races offer large purses and prestige prizes for winning horses – however the higher level the race, the heavier is its weight requirement for participants.
Before a horse races, its trainers or assistants usually lead it around the track for a warmup run. This allows bettors to observe its behavior and physical condition before getting an idea of its pace and movements during race day. Before running begins, it is also essential that riders or drivers pay close attention to how their horse interacts with its rider/driver; horses that display signs of discomfort won’t likely perform well during competition.
Bettors analyze a horse’s chance of winning a race by considering several factors: total number of horses competing, past performances and training regimen, weather and track conditions as well as current conditions of the horse itself.
Horse racing has made considerable strides to protect its athletes in recent decades, through an increased awareness of abusive training practices for young horses and the transport of sick or injured animals to slaughterhouses, among other practices. Furthermore, increasing scrutiny from organizations such as PETA has forced horse racing companies to make strides toward bettering lives off and on racetrack for all its horses.