Horse racing is a sport in which horses are jockeyed by riders and guided around a course to win bets. It has been a popular pastime throughout history and is the subject of many works of literature, art, music, and film. The sport originated in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Roman Empire, and other civilizations such as India, China, Egypt, Persia, and Arabia also participated in it. It has become a part of many cultures and is an important part of mythology, including the contest between Odin’s steeds Hrungnir and Frigg in Norse mythology. Archeological evidence indicates that horse races were common in ancient Greece, Rome, and Babylon.
In modern times, horse racing has become a huge industry in the United States and other countries. It is primarily a gambling sport, and it is the second largest form of legalized sports wagering after baseball. The sport is regulated by state laws and the rules are set forth by the American Horseracing Authority (AHA). There are several different types of horse races, including handicapped, stakes, and allowance races. The AHA also oversees the breeding of racehorses and administers the rules and regulations that must be followed by trainers.
A horse’s body can suffer from many ailments, including fractures, lacerations, and traumatic injuries such as broken bones, concussions, and abrasions. Some horses even die from the stress and pain of being forced to run at such high speeds. The gruesome truth is that behind the romanticized facade of a glamorous sport, a lot of money is made by people who do not care for the welfare of the animals they are riding.
The AHA is working hard to improve the sport through the establishment of a uniform set of safety rules, the use of pari-mutuel betting, and televised races. The AHA also maintains a registry of injured horses. The growing awareness of the cruel reality of the sport has also contributed to a reduction in the number of race days, profits, and entries.
Term glossary
A horse that is “in the money” is one who finishes in the top four. This entitles the owner to a portion of the purse, and is determined by calculating the total bets placed on each horse in the race. A jockey is a rider who guides the horse to victory, and is usually paid a fee by the owners of the horse. A jockey’s skill and judgment are critical to the success of a race. The AHA also maintains a list of licensed jockeys and assigns weights to allow the best horses to compete in each race. The racing secretary or handicapper assigns these weights according to a formula, which takes into account the age, distance, sex, and birthplace of the horse. The higher the class of a race, the heavier the assigned weights. This allows the highest quality horses to be matched against lesser competitors. The higher the class of a race, generally the more money that is offered.