Horse race is a form of racing in which the horses are ridden by jockeys (also called mounts). The sport dates back to ancient times and has played an important role in many civilizations. Archeological records show that it has been practiced in ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria, Egypt and Arabia. It also plays a prominent part in myth and legend, including the contest between the god Odin’s steeds and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology.

The sport has undergone significant changes in recent years, although the vast majority of its rules, traditions and history remain unchanged. In particular, technological advances have made it easier to track the progress of horses and jockeys during a race and to take the proper measures in the event of an accident. The use of thermal imaging cameras can help detect if a horse is overheating, while MRI scanners, endoscopes and 3D printing technology can provide specialized casts or splints for injured horses.

There are a number of different types of races that can be held on the tracks, each with their own characteristics. Flat horse races are run over a mile and have two turns, while sprint races are shorter with only one turn. A steeplechase is a particularly demanding race that requires the horse to jump over obstacles such as trees, fences and church steeples. The earliest races were match races between just two or three horses with the owners providing the purse and bettors placing wagers on their performance. Agreements on these agreements were recorded by disinterested third parties known as keepers of the match books. One such keeper at Newmarket in England, John Cheny, began publishing An Historical List of All Horse-Matches Run (1729). This work served as a consolidation and standardization of the match books from various horse racing centres across Europe.

Today’s horse races are often contested by larger fields of runners than in the past, thanks to a number of advancements in technology and training techniques. These developments include faster and more accurate track surfaces, as well as better saddles and bridles to allow the jockey to be more effective in coaxing the best out of the horse. There are also more ways for the public to place bets on a race, including internet betting and telephone wagering.

Before a race, the horses are paraded through the paddock (the area at the track where the horses are saddled). They then weigh in and receive instructions from their trainers before being led to the starting gates. Once the race begins, the jockeys must maneuver their mounts through the pack to gain a position on the lead. The horses must maintain a certain pace to win, and a jockey who can coax the best out of his mount is likely to come away with a good payout on his ticket.