A horse race is a competition between two or more horses run over an established distance on a specific track. Traditionally, horses have been bred for racing and trained to perform at an elite level under the guidance of their trainers. The rules of a horse race vary among different countries and are governed by local horse racing authorities. The horse race may be contested between individuals or against other teams of riders and horses. In addition, there are wagers placed on each horse in the race, with the winner receiving a certain amount of money.
The earliest horse races were match contests between two or three horses. However, pressure from the public led to open events with larger fields of runners. Eventually, rules were developed governing eligibility based on age, sex, birthplace, and previous performance. Races were also created in which owners were the riders (gentlemen), and in which the field was restricted to a township or county.
Horse racing is a dangerous sport. Injuries are common and often fatal. One study found that a horse is injured in every 22 races, and that three thoroughbreds die each day due to catastrophic injuries sustained while competing. Moreover, horses are often bred to begin racing before they are fully mature, and their skeletal systems are not well adapted to running on hard surfaces at high speeds. As a result, many racing-related injuries are due to falls and collisions.
To reduce the number of injuries and deaths, race tracks are designed with safety in mind. A horse track must be a minimum of 120 feet long and have a sloped or curving surface to prevent horses from jumping out of the course. In addition, a horse must be able to travel the distance of the race in less than two minutes, and riders must be capable of controlling the animal at all times.
The governing body of a horse race sets the rules for how the game is conducted, and these rules are interpreted by race stewards. If the stewards determine that a horse has not run its best, it is declared to be scratched. The stewards may also inspect the jockeys for signs of drug use before declaring a winner. In cases of a photo finish, a photograph of the finish is studied by the stewards to decide who won. If the stewards cannot determine the winner, they will declare a dead heat. The prize money for a race is then distributed according to the stipulations of the governing body.