A horse race is a contest of speed between horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. The horses are usually bred for the purpose and are trained to run specific distances. There are thousands of people involved in the industry, working with both the horses and on the grandstand side to make sure that races are run efficiently.
The history of horse racing has a long and distinguished tradition. Archeological evidence shows that horse races were part of the life of many civilizations, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. They are also featured in myth and legend, as in the contest between Odin’s steed and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology.
Horse racing is a very popular sport in the United States, and there are numerous horse race tracks throughout the country. These tracks are operated by state and private organizations, and some are owned by individual individuals. They are often located in rural areas and serve as tourist attractions. Many states offer tax incentives to encourage people to visit the racetracks.
One of the most popular forms of gambling on horse races is parimutuel betting, in which the winning bettors receive all of the money wagered, minus a small percentage deduction from the track. In addition to this method, many horse race games feature exotic wagers that are not available in the traditional parimutuel format. In these exotic wagers, the bettors must correctly predict the winner in multiple races. This type of betting is often more profitable for bettors, although it is riskier than other types of wagering on horse races.
In addition to determining which horse will win each race, the handicapper must also consider other factors, such as the runner’s age, weight, owners, trainers, and jockeys. This information is used to calculate a runner’s odds, which are published in the form of numbers and colors. The higher the number and color, the better the horse’s odds.
During the earliest days of organized American horse racing, the only requirement to enter a race was that a horse be capable of running a mile and that its owner provide a purse. This system continued until the mid-18th century, when rules were developed to allow more runners into races. Eligibility was determined by such factors as sex, birthplace, and previous performance.
Generally, horse races are run on a flat course. A specialized category of races is jumps racing, in which a horse must navigate over obstacles that are placed on the track, and in which a special technique is required. Typically, jumps horses start in National Hunt flat races as juveniles, progress to hurling after a year or two, and then, if deemed capable, to steeplechasing.