Horse racing is a sport that involves horses that are ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and drivers. It has a long history dating back to ancient civilizations and is renowned for its beauty and drama. Athletes must train to compete in order to become a professional racehorse, and each year thousands of people come to the track to watch races. But behind the romance of Thoroughbreds in colorful silks and spectators sipping mint juleps is a darker side: abuse, injuries, breakdowns, drug use and slaughter. Fortunately, increased transparency and awareness of industry cruelty have led to some improvements.
A race for Thoroughbred horses is a close competition for the championship between two or more competitors. The horses run over distances ranging from 400 yards to four miles on flat, dirt tracks. Horses are classified according to age, sex, birthplace and previous performance. A race may be a stakes, meaning the winner takes a percentage of the total purse money. A race may also be an open or unrestricted event, where any horse eligible to run is entered in the field. In the United States, the term horse race usually refers to open or unrestricted races, while in other countries the term is more often used for closed events or restricted stakes races.
There are many different types of horse races, with sprints and longer distances being the most common. Each type requires a different level of speed and stamina, and fast acceleration is crucial to winning. In addition to the physical demands of running, horses are subjected to a number of harsh training practices. This includes the use of whips, tongue-ties and electric shock devices known as jiggers, which are illegal under animal welfare laws.
Before a race begins, bettors like to look at the horses’ coats in the walking ring, and if they are bright and rippling with sweat, it is believed they are ready to run. But before each race, the horses are injected with Lasix, a diuretic that helps prevent pulmonary bleeding. The injections are marked on the racing form with a boldface “L.”
Lasix makes it easier for the horses to drink water, but they still need to take in enough water in order to make the most of their natural ability to run fast. If the horses are dehydrated, they will not be able to fully expend their energy and will not finish the race. To maintain proper hydration, horses must urinate often, and this can take away from the pleasure of the sport for both horse and bettors.