A horse race is a contest of speed between horses ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies. The fastest horse wins. There are a few things that make horse races different from other sporting events, though. The rules are stricter and the stakes are high, so there’s a lot at risk in the competition. Some people also have emotional attachments to particular horses and will root for them even when the odds are long. This is often the case for legendary racehorses like Seabiscuit.

There’s a lot at stake for both the jockey and the horse in the big race. The best jockeys are masters of their craft, using subtle and precise signals to guide the horses through a series of turns at speeds that can reach 40 miles per hour. In addition, they must be able to read the body language of the horses and anticipate what other riders might do in order to gain an advantage. This is why horse racing has a reputation for being a bit of a gamble.

The most famous horse race in the world is the Kentucky Derby, which was first held in 1875 and is now one of the most popular events in the country. Its distance of two and a half miles makes it an exercise in speed and stamina. The Kentucky Derby was the first of three races in a Triple Crown, which is when a horse wins all three major flat races and reaches the top of the sport.

Other big races include the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Melbourne Cup, Japan Cup and Dubai World Cup. Each of these races is run over a slightly longer distance than the Kentucky Derby and, as a result, requires more skill and endurance.

For both the horse and the jockey, the prize in a big race is a huge amount of money. The winner of the Preakness usually walks away with about $1.5 million, while the winner of a Breeders’ Cup race can take home over $20 million.

It’s no secret that the horse racing industry is full of cruelty, but repeated attempts at reform haven’t made much headway. On average, two horses die and 60 are injured every year in the industry, where young, fast horses are put at a significant risk of developing laminitis, an inflamed condition of the hoof that can be fatal.

A recent study found that corporate-owned newspapers were more likely to frame elections as a horse race, and they tended to do so in close races. Researchers suggest that the slanted coverage contributes to a perception that elections are merely a game of chance, and that this approach can make the public lose interest in politics. They also point out that this style of reporting can reinforce the idea that election results are random and unpredictable, and may contribute to the low turnout seen in many American races. In addition, it can encourage partisanship and fuel the belief that elections are rigged.