Horse racing is a popular sport that involves betting on the outcome of a competition between two or more horses. It is a sport with a long history and has been practiced in various cultures around the world since ancient times. It is also a part of many myths and legends, including the contest between the god Odin and his steed Hrungnir in Norse mythology. In modern times, horse races are run on dirt, dirt/turf, or synthetic (astroturf) tracks and have become one of the largest sports in the United States.
The earliest races were match contests between two or three horses, but pressure from the public led to the development of open events with larger fields. Rules were developed limiting eligibility based on age, sex, birthplace, and previous performance as well as requiring jockeys to meet certain requirements. These rules were intended to ensure fairness by creating a checks and balances system in which no single horse was supremely superior.
Most horses in North America are Thoroughbreds, which are bred for speed and agility. These horses are expensive and require extensive training to reach their full potential. The sport is dominated by wealthy owners who make a significant amount of money by breeding and racing their horses. Some of the more prestigious events are held at exclusive racetracks where spectators wear elaborate hats and sip mint juleps while enjoying the spectacle.
Despite its glitz and glamour, horse racing is a brutal sport. Thousands of horses are injured each year and some die during races. Injuries are common because horses are forced to sprint—often with the use of whips—at speeds so fast that they frequently sustain injuries and hemorrhage from their lungs. This happens because the lungs do not have sufficient time to expand as the chest contracts. The pain of these injuries and the fear of death cause some horses to break down during the race, making them unable to finish.
Before a race begins, horses enter the paddock and are paraded past a group of stewards and patrol judges. The stewards look for any infringements and verify that the horses are in acceptable condition. The race procedure then starts with the opening of the starting gate, which is usually electronically operated at most tracks. The stewards watch over the race as it progresses and the winning horse is declared after the final lap.
A runner that has had more money bet on it than statistically warrants is considered a favorite. A runner that has not been bet is considered an outsider.
A claiming race is a type of horse race that is designed to allow similar runners to compete against each other to level the playing field. This is done to keep the wagering on horse races profitable, as it would be unprofitable if a single horse was consistently ahead of all others. A horse that has won a number of claiming races is eligible to move up to higher class races, but it must win a “two other than” race to qualify.