A horse race is a contest in which a person or a team of people ride horses to compete for the highest score in a fixed number of laps around a course. The first to cross the finish line is declared the winner. The sport has a long history, and it is practiced in many countries. It also forms a significant part of the culture of some nations, especially in Australia and Japan, where horse racing is combined with traditional Western and Japanese cultural elements.
In the wild, horses love to run and are naturally fast. But winning a horse race is a human construct, one that requires a thoroughbred to be pushed to the edge of its ability. To do that, horses are trained to rely on a cocktail of legal and illegal drugs to mask injuries and boost performance.
The drugs are administered in the form of a paste or pellet. The pellets are typically given to a horse four weeks before a race, and the paste is used to mask the taste of the drug. The horses are then forced to run and jump until they’re exhausted or injured. Those who are in the lead are awarded a portion of the prize money, known as the purse. The remaining prize money is split among the top finishers in the race.
As the sport has evolved, betting on races has become a major component of the competition. While wagering on the outcome of a race is illegal in many states, it has helped to fuel the excitement of spectators and create a sense of community between fans. The high stakes and prestige of some races attract the attention of international media outlets.
For the spectators, horse racing is as much about glamor and style as it is about the thrill of watching the animals run. At the most prestigious events, such as the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot, ladies wear elaborate hats while men sport dapper suits. At both events, mint julips are served to the audience.
Although the sport has been influenced by technological advances, it retains a great deal of tradition. Increasingly, veterinarians use thermal imaging to detect when a horse is overheating after a race and MRI scanners and endoscopes to screen for minor or severe health issues. They also employ 3D printing to produce casts, splints and even prosthetic legs for horses that are injured or have sustained a setback during a race. The technology has helped to improve the overall safety of both horses and jockeys on and off the track.