A horse race is a competition over an oval track on which organized betting is held. The race is typically run by horses, with jockeys riding them, and is one of the world’s oldest sports. A full description of a chariot race appears in Homer’s Iliad, and the type of steeplechase was part of the Olympic Games as early as the 5th century bc. Organized racing began in the United States when a British colony was established in New Amsterdam. The first races were flat, but after a number of improvements, they became longer and included hurdles.
In order to compete in a horse race, a horse must have a pedigree that meets certain requirements. The horse must have a sire (father) and dam that are purebred members of the breed for which it is running, and the horse must be of an age appropriate to the race. For example, young horses usually only race against other youngsters, and older horses generally race against males. The horse must also be able to handle the training and racing schedule of the race in which it is entered.
Before a horse starts a race, it is taken to the paddock, which is an area at the racetrack where horses are prepared for the event. The horse is weighed, its identity verified, and the jockeys are given instructions from the trainer. Then the horse is paraded past a group of stewards before being ridden by its jockey. The horse will then proceed to the starting gate and begin the race.
Some horse races are rated as stakes, meaning that a winner receives a purse that is higher than those of other races. This is done to attract the best horses, encourage wagering on them and help grow the sport of horse racing.
The most famous of the stakes races are the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. There are also the Dubai World Cup, the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
A horse may be withdrawn from a race if it becomes ill, injured or does not perform as expected. The withdrawal can be for a variety of reasons, including a jockey injury, veterinary advice, or a weather issue.
There is an exception to this rule, however: A horse can withdraw from a race if its owner decides that it is not suitable for the event. The withdrawal must be made at least 24 hours before the race.
Claiming races are designed to create a level playing field between horses of different speeds. This is important because it would be very difficult to make money wagering on a single horse that could effortlessly dominate the other runners in a race. A claiming race offers class relief to allow horses that are not quite fast enough to run in higher-level stakes races. This is a form of risk-reward and helps to keep the game fair for all participants.