A horse race is an ancient sport, with its roots firmly embedded in the world’s oldest societies. Over the centuries it developed from a primitive contest of speed or stamina between two animals to an enormous public-entertainment business that draws crowds in their millions. While modern racing has embraced sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment and immense sums of money, its basic concept has changed little. The horse that crosses the finish line first is the winner.
Horse races are run over a variety of surfaces, including grass, dirt and synthetic turf. Individual flat races can range from 440 yards (400 m) to more than four miles (6 km). Shorter races are known as sprints, while longer races are known as routes in the United States and staying races in Europe. Fast acceleration is key to winning either type of race.
The earliest recorded accounts of horse races can be traced back to the ancient Greek Olympic Games, held from 700 to 40 B.C. From there the sport spread to Asia, Africa and the Middle East. While it was initially banned by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century along with wrestling, betting and cockfighting, it quickly returned to prominence after Charles II regained the throne.
In 2020 Congress decided it was unwilling to watch animals die to entertain racing enthusiasts, so it passed legislation requiring the application of safety standards across the country. A new agency, the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), began enforcing those standards in July of this year.
HISA’s monitors watch horses from the moment they leave their stalls to when they cross the finish line, recording their heart rates, respiratory rates and other vital statistics throughout the course of each race. The data is then reviewed by a team of veterinarians who look for any equine injuries or issues that may have occurred.
A jockey is a person who rides a horse during a race. Jockeys must have a great deal of skill and judgment to coax the best out of their mounts. They use whips, which they can flick to encourage their horses or lash out against opponents, as well as legions of other support personnel to help them ride and navigate the track.
In a horse race, jockeys wear helmets to protect their heads in the event of an accident or fall. They also wear body armor and carry medical kits for horses, should they be injured. Lastly, they must have a license to compete in horse racing, which requires them to pass background checks and take courses on safety and health care. They must also pay a fee to compete, as do their trainers and stable employees.