Horse racing is a sport that involves horses and other animals being trained to run around a course with jumps, hurdles, or other obstacles, either on the flat or over steeplechases. Prize money is awarded to the winner, runners-up, and, if applicable, third-place finishers of each race. The sport has a rich and distinguished history, having been practiced since prehistory in civilizations as diverse as Ancient Greece, China, Babylon, Syria, and Arabia. It is also well known in the United Kingdom, where it has a huge following, and the United States, where its popularity is growing rapidly.

Horses are very powerful creatures, and their speed can be dangerous for both horse and rider. As a result, races are generally very tightly run to limit the number of falls. This reduces the chances of injury and can increase the likelihood of success for the horse. However, the sport does expose horses to stress that can lead to developmental disorders, such as cracked leg bones and hooves.

The most famous horse race is probably the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France, but there are many more. For example, in Australia the Melbourne Cup (or “the race that stops a nation”) is held at Flemington. It is a handicapped race, with weight penalties or allowances for different horses on the basis of their age, sex, and other factors.

The difficulty of a horse race can be adjusted by altering the course, for example by making it longer or harder. For example, a steeplechase is usually much more difficult than a flat race, because it requires the horses to jump over obstacles and also covers long distances. Similarly, the height of jumps can be changed to make them more or less difficult for the horses to clear.

As the sport evolved, rules were created to restrict or broaden the field of eligible horses and the qualifications of riders. The rules were based on a variety of criteria, including the age, sex, birthplace, and previous performance of horses. These rules became more complicated as the sport evolved, and rules were also made to prevent races from being rigged.

In the modern world, many horse races are sponsored by commercial companies. This helps to attract a larger audience and improve the reputation of the race. These sponsorships have led to a great increase in the prize money offered in these races. This has also enabled the sport to be televised, which has helped to expand its popularity.

In the past, horse races were mainly private, between owners and friends or acquaintances. These races were often very close, and the best riders were those with the most skill at coaxing a few extra yards from their mounts. In time, the sport grew into a public sport with a system of wagering on the outcome of each race. This was centralized into the pari-mutuel betting system, which was computerized in 1984 and allowed horse racing to become widely available on television.