A horse race is a sporting event that features two or more thoroughbred horses competing against one another over a set distance. A horse’s speed and ability to jump are the main factors that determine its win or loss, but a host of other factors also influence the outcome of a race, including age, weight, training, jockey, and track conditions. While horse racing is a multibillion-dollar industry, it’s also one of the most cruel sports on earth. Its victims include race horses who die in terrifying accidents, are injured or euthanized during training, or fail to win and are sent to slaughterhouses in foreign countries. The sport’s abusive practices are causing it to lose fans and revenue.

Horse racing is believed to have originated in ancient Greece, where it was part of the Olympic Games and a ritual to honor deities. Archaeological evidence shows that the sport existed in Ancient Rome, Babylon, Syria, and Egypt as well. It has since spread throughout the world and become a popular spectator sport and gambling activity.

In the United States, horse races are regulated by state and federal laws. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) oversees the sport’s integrity and compliance with all relevant legislation. The NTRA also enforces a series of minimum standards that every racetrack must meet in order to participate in the nationwide horse racing circuit.

There are several different kinds of horse races, each with its own unique rules and traditions. The most common are flat races, which feature a rectangular racetrack with a dirt surface and are run at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. Horses compete in a number of other types of races, such as hurdles, steeplechases, and handicap races. These races are more complex and involve jumping over obstacles and covering long distances.

The most prestigious horse races are called graded stakes races. These races have the highest purses and are held on specialized tracks. In order to qualify for a graded stakes race, a horse must win at least a specified number of races. Horses are assigned a specific amount of weight to carry for fairness in a race, and other factors that influence their performance include age, track, sex, and trainer.

The way that horse races are covered in the media can have significant consequences for the public’s understanding of politics and government. When journalists focus on who’s ahead and who’s behind in a given race — a practice known as “horse race reporting” — they elevate voters’ cynicism toward politicians, according to recent research. This collection of articles on politics and the media provides an overview of what researchers have learned about the impact of strategic news coverage that frames elections as competitive games with clear winners and losers.