Horse racing is a sport that has evolved from primitive contests of speed or stamina between two horses into a multibillion-dollar worldwide industry. Despite the huge sums of money involved, however, it has retained its core essence: It is a contest between two horses in which the horse that finishes first wins.
The sport’s roots go back to ancient times, with archaeological evidence pointing to its existence in Greece, Ancient Rome, Egypt, Babylon, Syria and Arabia. In addition, it has been a central part of myth and legend, including the famous contest between Odin’s steeds and Hrungnir in Norse mythology.
Today, the sport is based on modern technology and betting options, with races held around the world in many different types of venues, from small dirt tracks to enormous stadiums. The sport is also a global industry, with breeders and jockeys from all over the world sending their horses to compete in international events.
The basic rules of a horse race are relatively simple: A horse is saddled with a rider, who has to be able to control the animal while it runs at speed. A jockey is allowed to use the whip to discipline his or her mount, but only in certain ways and at certain times during a race.
A horse must be able to run a specific distance in a given time, which is measured by the track’s surface and the length of the race. The horse must also be able to jump a set number of obstacles, called fences, in order to qualify for a particular race. The most prestigious races are called conditions races, and their winners earn the highest purses. In those races, each horse is assigned a weight to carry for fairness, and allowances are made for younger horses and females running against males.
Among the most important factors affecting a horse’s performance are its sire, dam, and trainer. The best horses are sired by top-notch breeders, and those that perform well in the major races become known as stars. In the United States, the most prominent stars are awarded their own race days and their own special trophies, such as the American Horse of the Year trophy and the Eclipse Award.
Other important factors in a horse’s performance are its weight, the distance of a race, and the amount of mud that has accumulated on the track. A heavy weight can slow a horse, while mud that has compacted into hard clumps can make a horse move more slowly and forcefully.
Critics of pre-election polling and the way it is used by news outlets have long argued that the focus on who’s ahead or behind in an election — what’s known as horse race journalism — has serious consequences for voters, the press and even the political system itself. A growing body of research, however, suggests that a less horse-racy approach to campaign coverage might help all three of those groups.