Horse racing is a sport in which humans compete to win wagers on the outcome of a race between a trained, fast-paced thoroughbred horse and a jockey mounted on that horse. The equestrian sport has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations, including archeological records from Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. It has also long been a major part of folklore and myth, as evidenced by the contest between Odin’s steeds Hrungnir and Brynhildr in Norse mythology.
In recent times, horse racing has been impacted by technological advances, which have improved both safety on and off the racetrack. For example, thermal imaging cameras can identify horses that are overheating post-race, MRI scanners and X-rays can detect a variety of minor or serious health issues, and 3D printing can create casts, splints and prosthetics for injured or sick horses. Additionally, the use of technology in horse racing has increased from an analytical tool to a vital component of training and racing.
A great race is a special event where a horse races to its highest level of excellence. It can elevate a horse to legendary status, as was the case with Secretariat in the Belmont Stakes or Mandarin in Paris. These are often called “grandees” or “classics.”
There are three ways to bet money on a horse race: bet to win, bet to place, and bet to show. When betting’show,’ you are placing money on a horse to finish either first, second or third. Generally, the payoffs for’show’ are much lower than bets to win.
In the earliest days of horse racing, match races were commonplace. The purse for these races was provided by the owners and bets were placed on the winner of a particular match, or pair, of races. The results of these matches were recorded by disinterested third parties, who became known as keepers of the match books. One such keeper at Newmarket, England published An Historical List of All Matches Run (1729).
The prestige and riches associated with racing success inspired breeders to try to produce faster horses. British soldiers returning from desert battlefields brought stories of their opponents’ astounding horses sprinting across sand dunes, and sires from the Middle East were imported to England. These leaner, faster equines were the foundation of what is now the Thoroughbred breed, which continues to dominate international racing today.
In addition to the ‘classics,’ there are many other top-level races held around the world. These are called graded races because they have been ranked on their overall merit by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The IFHA is responsible for classifying all Thoroughbred races worldwide. The most famous of these events are the Triple Crown races and the Dubai World Cup. The ‘grade’ of a race is determined by its distance, quality of field, and track surface.