A horse race is a competition between horses that are ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies. It is the world’s most popular spectator sport and generates billions of dollars in wagers each year. There are many types of horse races, including flat races, steeplechases, and endurance races. The most prestigious races are the Triple Crown series of three American classics: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Each country has its own elite races, with the British Royal Ascot Gold Cup race and the French Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe being among them.

Horses may be ridden by men or women called jockeys, who are trained to guide the horses over the course of the race and jump any hurdles present. Prize money is usually awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in a race, with varying amounts of cash distributed depending on the particular event. Jockeys must ride their mounts safely, obey the course’s instructions, and leap every hurdle (if present). If they fail to do so, they can be disqualified from the race.

The race course is typically marked with poles, and the starting position of each horse is indicated by a number. A horse is said to be off the pace if it is not in front of the leaders at the halfway point of the race. A horse that is ahead of the field but does not win the race is said to have a good show. If a horse has an outside chance of winning a race, it is said to have a longshot.

In some races, horses are given weights that are intended to equalize the chances of each entrant. A horse with the lowest weight has the best chance of winning, while a higher-priced horse must carry more weight to be competitive. There are also “set-weight” races in which each entrant carries the same amount of weight regardless of age, and “optional claiming” races in which some entrants may be offered for sale.

A jockey who does not use the whip to urge his mount in a race is said to be hand riding him. This is considered a gentler form of riding than using the whip and can result in a more natural movement of the animal.

When a horse leads the pack in a race, but another competitor catches up and runs at the same speed, it is known as pulling even with the leader. This can be a good thing for the horse, as it shows that it has good stamina and will make a strong run to the finish line. This is analogous to political elections in which the candidates are jockeying for position and trying to secure a majority of votes. This is also referred to as a dead heat.