A horse race is a competition in which a horse is ridden by a jockey to cross the finish line first. A prize money award is usually offered for the winners of each race. The term is also used for a variety of close contests between horses, including steeplechases and other horse races where a horse jumps hurdles over a course. Different countries have different rules regarding how a race should be run, but most are based on the British Horseracing Authority’s original rulebook.
In the modern world, the term horse race is often associated with political contests. Mudslinging, name calling and attack ads easily obscure the fact that many of today’s political contests are no more than horse races with added theatrics. The phrase is even used to describe a political campaign where the candidates are running a close race.
For many people, the idea of a horse race brings to mind an image of fancy hats and mint juleps. Behind this facade, though, is a world of drugs, injuries, breakdowns and slaughter. In the modern world, horses are bred for speed at the expense of bone mass and general well-being, then pushed far beyond their natural abilities in races. This type of intense exertion causes them to experience debilitating conditions such as bleeding lungs and ringbone, heart attacks, and gastric ulcers. The sport is rife with corruption and drug abuse, and horses are subject to the cruel use of whips and electric shock devices.
The earliest records of horse racing date back to ancient Greece, where it was a popular activity for both chariot and bareback riders. The sport was widely adopted throughout Asia and Europe, and it was an important part of the Olympic Games from 700 to 404 bc. Despite its long history, however, it has never become the most popular form of athletic competition in the world.
Aside from its inherent dangers, racing is a highly inefficient sport. Thousands of dollars are spent annually on breeding and training, but a small number of horses compete in the top divisions. The rest are slaughtered for food. The number of horses that die on the racetrack is staggering, but betting helps to prop up this exploitative system, so if you enjoy a flutter, please consider placing your bets elsewhere.
During a horse race, a steward watches over the contestants to ensure that all rules are being followed. The stewards may examine urine and saliva samples to test for prohibited substances. If a horse is found to be illegally inebriated, it will be disqualified from the competition. Other violations include using improper tack, riding a jockey without the proper license or bribery. When a photo finish is declared, a picture of the finishing line will be studied by stewards to determine which horse crossed the finish line first. A horse is said to be “in the money” if it finishes in the top four, which entitles its owner to a share of the purse.