Horse race is a sport in which horses compete to win a wager placed by bettors. The sport has a number of rules and is governed by a governing body. The sport has been criticized for being violent and cruel to its animals.
Despite these criticisms, horse racing is a popular pastime for many people. However, there are a few things you should know before you place a bet.
Origins
Horse racing is an equestrian sport in which two or more horses, ridden by jockeys, compete to finish first on a course. It is one of the oldest sports in the world, having been practiced since ancient Egypt, Syria, Babylon, and Greece by various societies and civilisations.
Unlike other sports, horse races do not have a scoring system. To be eligible to race, a horse must have a pedigree that includes both its sire and dam. This information is recorded in the General Stud Book. A horse can be disqualified before, during or after the race for a number of reasons. These include a claim of doping and interference with other competitors.
Rules
In horse racing, there are a number of rules that must be followed in order to participate. These rules include: a) the horse must have a pedigree that is pure of its breed; b) it must pass an examination with the stewards to determine if it can race; and c) it must be able to handle the track conditions.
In addition, the jockey must ride the horse safely and must obey instructions from the stewards. He must also leap over any hurdles that are present on the course. He may use a riding crop to encourage or correct the horse, but cannot strike another person.
Distances
Horse racing is a sport that’s awash in prizes, especially at the top level. Some races offer purses that would make football clubs blush, and they’re sponsored by the likes of bookmakers and alcoholic drinks companies.
One of the most important factors in a race’s outcome is its distance. In Britain and Ireland, horse races are measured in furlongs, while other countries (including France, Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong) use the metric system.
A horse’s best racing distance should be assessed carefully when studying its form. This can be a challenging task for punters, since many horses race over new distances for the first time.
Prizes
A portion of every bet placed on a horse race contributes to the total prize money. This is a great way to encourage more betting and make horse races more exciting.
The winner of a race gets a large percentage of the overall prize money. The remaining part of the purse is divided among other finishers. For example, second place may get 20-70% and third place will take 15-30%.
The lion’s share of the prize money goes to the owner, followed by the trainer and jockey. These are the people who play the most important roles in a race. It is like a big cake shared among key players at a party.
Drugs
Horses used in horse races are often given cocktails of drugs to mask injuries and enhance their performance. These substances include stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine, painkillers, and bronchodilators that improve breathing.
Many horses bleed from their lungs during intense exercise, a condition known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). To avoid this, trainers use furosemide, which reduces the amount of blood that enters the lungs.
This drug has also been used to increase the number of red blood cells, which can enhance oxygen-carrying capacity and boost performance. Following PETA’s investigation of trainer Steve Asmussen, the New York State Gaming Commission imposed fines and proposed sweeping medication regulations.
Injuries
Horses in race are at risk of injury and even death. Many of the deaths are the result of the use of injury-masking drugs and bad breeding practices.
One of the most common injuries is a bowed tendon. These are the structures that connect muscle to bone and can be very serious for a racehorse. These injuries can take a long time to heal and often reoccur.
Other injuries include bone chips and osteochondral fractures. These are small fractures within a joint and usually occur in the front fetlocks or knees. These fractures can cause lameness and inflammation but are treatable. Long bone fractures are more difficult to treat and have a lower prognosis for horses that return to racing.