A horse race is a competition between two or more horses over a set distance. It has entranced spectators for centuries, from the Greek Olympia Games, when jockeys rode bareback on chariots, to today’s lavish spectacles, with a multitude of betting options and mouthwatering food choices. The race is often considered a test of a horse’s physical and psychological abilities, but many observers have also noted the glaring inequities and cruelties of the sport.
In a typical flat race, the pedigree requirements for a horse to compete include having both a sire and dam who are purebred individuals of the particular breed in question. In addition, the horse must meet a minimum weight requirement (which differs by breed) in order to qualify for the race. The horse’s speed, or acceleration, is also a consideration, with shorter races known as sprints and longer ones called routes (or staying races in Europe).
The sport of horse racing can be hazardous to the animals involved, who are forced to sprint at such speeds that they suffer from injuries including a condition that causes blood to bleed from the lungs, exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. In an attempt to mask injuries and enhance performance, most are given cocktails of legal and illegal drugs, some of which are dangerous and can be fatal if ingested in large quantities.
During the late 20th century, horse racing was one of the world’s most popular sports, with more people attending races than at any time in history. This was in part due to the advent of new medications that were being used in horse preparation. Powerful painkillers, anti-inflammatories and other drugs intended for humans bled over into horse racing, causing horses to run because they could not feel the painful signals that told them not to. Blood doping, growth hormones and other substances were also being used. Racing officials had no idea what was being used and did not have the testing capacity to detect many of the substances.
In the modern era, horse races are often held on dirt tracks that are designed to accommodate multiple types of races. They are contested by Thoroughbreds, Arabians and other breeds. Many of these horse races are regulated by state legislatures and are subject to wagering limits.
A claiming race is a type of horse race where any licensed individual may purchase a running horse entered in the race for a predetermined price. When a runner is claimed it changes owners as soon as the race begins although the prior owner still retains all purse money for the race. The claiming method has been widely used to reduce the risk of ownership for racing stables and increase the chances of a win. A runner who wins a claiming race is awarded the winner’s share of the purse money, which is based on a percentage of the total bets placed. The remainder of the prize money is distributed to runners who finish in second and third place. An Across the Board bet combines a Win, Place and Show wager and pays out at the Win, Place and Show prices if the runner wins.