A horse race is a sport where horses compete against each other over a set distance. It is typically a flat race, but can be over hurdles or even steeplechases. Horses have been bred and trained for racing from ancient times, although the modern sport started in England during the 1600s.

Horse races have a long history and are an important part of the global economy. They are a popular sport in Europe and the United States, with betting on them generating billions of dollars annually. In addition to the financial benefits, horse racing also serves as an entertainment outlet for many people and attracts tourists from around the world.

While spectators show off their fancy outfits and sip mint juleps at the track, a dark side to the industry lurks behind the romanticized facade. Injuries, drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter are just some of the ills that plague this sport.

Horses are forced to sprint, often with whips in their hands, at speeds that cause them to experience serious injuries and even hemorrhage from their lungs. Horses that are not healthy enough to continue racing may be sent to euthanize or slaughtered.

The death of Eight Belles at the 2008 Kentucky Derby sparked a reckoning of racing’s ethics and integrity. While that was an extreme case, horses die regularly from the exorbitant physical stress of horse racing. The true number is unknown because there is a lack of industry regulation, record keeping and transparency.

There are several types of horse races, with the most prestigious being group 1 races that offer the largest purses. To ensure fairness, each horse is assigned a certain amount of weight to carry that can affect its performance. The most valuable horses are given the lightest weight while those with less ability must carry more. The amount of weight a horse must carry can be further influenced by the barrier position it starts in, its gender and training.

In the past, race governing bodies have attempted to standardize rules to make racing more competitive and safe for the horses. For example, in 1751 the King’s Plates were standardized races for six-year-old horses that carried 168 pounds over four-mile heats. Later, five-year-olds were admitted to the King’s Plates and heats were reduced to two miles.

Some equine advocates are optimistic that recent changes to the industry will make horse racing more humane. However, they are concerned that these changes will be costly to the sport. In addition to the costs of additional veterinary staff and new equipment, some states will have to join the Horseracing Safety Authority, which will increase licensing fees for tracks. This may put some smaller horse tracks out of business, which could lead to a reduction in the number of races and a higher risk of injury for the horses. Ultimately, these improvements will only be possible if the industry decides that horses matter. This will require a profound ideological reckoning on the macro business and industry level, as well as within the minds of horsemen and women.