Horse racing is a sport in which horses either run on their own or are ridden by jockeys. It has been popular in many civilizations since ancient times. In the United States, the sport of horse racing has a long and rich tradition, dating back to colonial times. The sport has been a major draw for bettors, who can make money by placing a bet on the winner of a particular race or pool.
The phrase a dark horse is used to describe someone or something that is expected to win a race, competition, or election but surprises everyone by winning. The origin of the expression is not clear, but it is widely believed that a 19th century American horse-owner named William “Billy” Shaw would disguise his top racehorse as an ordinary pack horse when entering it in races. By doing so, he was able to attract bettors who would otherwise have ignored his entry. The horse then went on to win the race and the owner made a profit.
In the United States, horse racing is regulated by state laws and national rules. The governing body, the Jockey Club, oversees horse racing. It sets rules and standards for horses, jockeys, and racetracks. It also administers a variety of programs to help racetracks and other venues improve safety, security, and cleanliness. In addition to regulations, the Jockey Club also issues licenses to horse breeders and owners.
A horse race is a contest in which horses run around an oval track and compete to reach the finish line first. The contest can be won by any number of runners, but the majority of the bets are placed on a single racehorse to win. A horse’s performance during a race is assessed by its speed, endurance, and stamina. It is also judged by its style and manner of running.
The sport of horse racing has a controversial reputation, with animal rights groups such as PETA criticizing it for subjecting animals to pain and fear. The animals are drugged, whipped, trained and raced too young, and pushed to the limit of their physical abilities. A great many of these animals are euthanized after the race. Some are slaughtered immediately after a race, while others are kept alive in a stall for the rest of their lives, which may last a year or more.
Individual flat races are typically run over distances between five and twelve furlongs (1.0 and 2.4 km). Sprints are usually considered to be tests of speed, while longer races are known as routes in the US or steeplechases in Europe. A horse’s training often includes a progression of obstacles and distances, starting in a flat race as a juvenile, then moving to hurdles, and then, if it is deemed capable, to steeplechasing. In a steeplechase, the horses jump over large obstacles and cover long distances in quick bursts. These races are a great challenge for even the best horses, and many are not able to complete a steeplechase.