A horse race is a contest of speed between horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. It is a sport that has a rich history and has played an important part in the lives of many civilizations throughout the world, including Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, China, Babylon, Syria, Egypt, and Arabia. It also plays an important role in myth and legend, like the contest between Odin’s steed and Hrungnir in Norse mythology.

The earliest horse races were match races, in which a single wager was placed on the victory of two or more horses. A racer who backed a loser would forfeit half or sometimes the whole purse, and these agreements were recorded by disinterested parties who became known as keepers of the match book.

Horse racing began in Europe during the 17th century, and by the 18th century it had become a nationwide activity. In the early 1800s, races for three-year-olds and four-year-olds were introduced, as well as standardized weights for racehorses. A four-year-old could carry a maximum of 168 pounds in 3-mile heats, while a six-year-old was permitted to carry 140 pounds.

During the pandemic of 2020, Thoroughbred racing found an unexpected wave of new fans. The all-racing channel TVG was included in many sports cable packages, and people who normally watched ESPN for cup stacking and cherry pit spitting now tuned in to see a sport that had always been available but never embraced.

In spite of the influx of cash, racing remains a struggling industry. Its customers tend to be older and are losing ground to other gambling activities, and the sport is plagued by scandals involving doping, injury, and safety. In addition, animal rights activists have brought new awareness of the cruelty of the industry, especially its abusive training practices for young horses and the fate of many American-bred horses who are exported to slaughterhouses abroad.

While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where horse racing originated, archaeological records suggest that it was first practiced in ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and other civilizations around the Mediterranean Sea. The earliest races were usually flat, one-mile long contests requiring the fastest horse to win. Later, races were extended to longer distances.

The pounding that horse racehorses take on the oval track can be devastating to their legs. For this reason, it is common for them to be injected with a cocktail of legal and illegal drugs intended to mask injuries and artificially enhance performance. Injuries to the lower legs are a serious problem in horse racing, and the most severe cases can result in paralysis or death. To minimize the risk of injuries, most racehorses are given a drug called Lasix, which is noted on the racing form with a boldface L. It helps to prevent pulmonary bleeding, which can occur when a horse is pushed beyond its limits. The drug is also used to reduce the amount of water lost during a race.