Horse racing is a popular sport that has been practiced in many civilizations since ancient times. It has evolved from a simple competition of speed or stamina between two horses to a large public-entertainment event, requiring large fields of runners and sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment.

Despite its popularity, racing is a cruel and inhumane sport. It is rife with injuries, drug abuse and gruesome breakdowns. Racehorses are forced to sprint–often under the threat of whips and even illegal electric-shocking devices–at speeds so fast that they frequently sustain injuries and even hemorrhage from their lungs.

The myth of a noble racehorse has been debunked and the truth is that they are abused, pushed to their breaking points and killed at a rate of more than one thousand horses a year in the United States alone. PETA estimates that as many as ten thousand American thoroughbreds are sent to slaughter in Canada and Mexico every year.

In addition to its cruelty, the horse industry has a long history of animal neglect. Breeders and trainers often neglect or mistreat their horses, leading to poor performance, injury and death.

Horses are naturally social animals, yet in the hands of the wrong trainer or jockey, they may become withdrawn, aggressive and violent, and display stereotypical behavior such as crib-biting (repetitive oral behaviour where a horse sucks in a large amount of air) and weaving (a repetitive behaviour where a horse sways its forelegs, shifting its weight back and forth). Injuries can occur during training and races, and the horse is often subject to drugs that make it unfit to be raced.

While it is not illegal for people to bet on a horse, gambling has been linked to health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. In addition, betting on a horse can be a stimulant and cause the horse to become intoxicated.

Although the first organized race was held in ancient Greece, it was not until the 19th century that racing became popular in Britain. In addition to the Triple Crown series, the English Jockey Club introduced standardized race distances, and heat racing was established for four-year-olds.

During the nineteenth century, British breeders began crossing their horses with Middle Eastern sires, resulting in faster and leaner Thoroughbreds. The influx of these faster, better-bred horses fueled the growth of the sport, as did the introduction of oval tracks.

Some of the most famous racetracks in the world include Belmont Park in New York City, and the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in Kentucky. The Kentucky Derby, the most prestigious American race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, is a key highlight of the American racing season and has been running for nearly 140 years.

The most important international racing event is the European Grand Prix, held in Paris in October and November each year. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators.

In the United States, the most popular horse races are the Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Derby. In the United Kingdom, the Royal Ascot Festival and the Epsom Derby are also well-known.