What is Horse Racing?
Horse racing is an activity in which horses are harnessed to sulky carts and guided by jockeys (riders) around an oval track at a speed determined by the race stewards. The practice is ancient, having been enjoyed by numerous civilizations throughout history, including Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria and Arabia. It also plays an important role in myth and legend, as exemplified by the contest between Odin’s steed Hrungnir and the giants in Norse mythology.
The modern sport of horse racing was founded in the 17th century by Colonel Richard Nicolls at Newmarket, England, and has since spread worldwide. It is a multibillion-dollar industry, with wagering centered in Las Vegas and other large cities, where many of the best horses are trained.
Racing can be extremely dangerous for both horses and their riders, who are called jockeys. The horses are forced to run at high speeds and endure immense physical stress. This can lead to a wide range of injuries, such as cracked leg bones and hooves, fractured skulls, and hemorrhage from the lungs. Many of the horses are raced before they are fully mature, putting them at greater risk of developmental problems.
In addition, the constant traveling from country to country, state to state, and racetrack to racetrack means that a racehorse is never allowed to develop a bond with any one person or other horses. As a result, it is common for a racehorse to have several trainers, handlers, veterinarians and jockeys during its career.
To be competitive, a horse must have an exceptional combination of genetics, training and physical condition. It must be fast, strong and have endurance in order to win races. In addition, a horse must be able to handle the pressure of the crowd and withstand the demands of a long race. It must also be able to handle the rigors of training, transportation and travel, as well as the daily grind of the racing schedule.
Races are generally divided into categories based on the quality of the horses, with the most prestigious events having the largest purses. Besides the quality of the horses, other factors that influence race results are weight carried, age, gender, and the position of a horse in relation to its inside barrier.
Bettors place wagers on individual horses or groups of horses by using the Parimutuel system, in which winning bettors get all the money that they wagered, minus a percentage of the total amount bet by the losers. Other popular bets include the Win, Place and Show.
Horse racing is an activity in which horses are harnessed to sulky carts and guided by jockeys (riders) around an oval track at a speed determined by the race stewards. The practice is ancient, having been enjoyed by numerous civilizations throughout history, including Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria and Arabia. It also plays an important role in myth and legend, as exemplified by the contest between Odin’s steed Hrungnir and the giants in Norse mythology. The modern sport of horse racing was founded in the 17th century by Colonel Richard Nicolls at Newmarket, England, and has since spread worldwide. It is a multibillion-dollar industry, with wagering centered in Las Vegas and other large cities, where many of the best horses are trained. Racing can be extremely dangerous for both horses and their riders, who are called jockeys. The horses are forced to run at high speeds and endure immense physical stress. This can lead to a wide range of injuries, such as cracked leg bones and hooves, fractured skulls, and hemorrhage from the lungs. Many of the horses are raced before they are fully mature, putting them at greater risk of developmental problems. In addition, the constant traveling from country to country, state to state, and racetrack to racetrack means that a racehorse is never allowed to develop a bond with any one person or other horses. As a result, it is common for a racehorse to have several trainers, handlers, veterinarians and jockeys during its career. To be competitive, a horse must have an exceptional combination of genetics, training and physical condition. It must be fast, strong and have endurance in order to win races. In addition, a horse must be able to handle the pressure of the crowd and withstand the demands of a long race. It must also be able to handle the rigors of training, transportation and travel, as well as the daily grind of the racing schedule. Races are generally divided into categories based on the quality of the horses, with the most prestigious events having the largest purses. Besides the quality of the horses, other factors that influence race results are weight carried, age, gender, and the position of a horse in relation to its inside barrier. Bettors place wagers on individual horses or groups of horses by using the Parimutuel system, in which winning bettors get all the money that they wagered, minus a percentage of the total amount bet by the losers. Other popular bets include the Win, Place and Show.