A horse race is a type of sport where horses are run over obstacles, most commonly a circular track. The goal is to finish the race ahead of the other competitors by accelerating over the course of the race and crossing the finish line first. The winner of the race will be awarded a prize money. Horse races are held in many countries and vary in rules. Some are more rigorous than others and have higher stakes. The most prestigious races are considered to be the Triple Crown races, including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Preakness Stakes, and the Kentucky Derby.

The majority of horse races are governed by a set of rules and regulations known as the Rulebook. These rules define how a race should be conducted, including the number of runners in each race, the minimum distance of a race, and whether or not the race will have hurdles (if present).

Depending on the country, different rulebooks may exist, but they are all similar in most respects. A common feature of these rules is the requirement for horses to be vetted prior to running in a race. This process involves a physical examination by a veterinarian to ensure that the horse is healthy and suitable for racing. Some countries also have additional requirements for race entry and registration, such as requiring the owner to provide proof of ownership or imposing extra weight penalties on foreign-bred horses.

As in many sports, there are a variety of betting options in horse racing. Generally, horse racing bettors place their bets by placing a parimutuel wager. This wager gives winning bettors all of the money wagered on a particular horse, after a deduction for losing bets by the track. In addition, some horse race bettors make exotic wagers, such as pick 3s or 4s. These wagers require a player to select all the winners of a specified number of successive races.

In the early days of horse racing, most races were won by whoever could get to the finish line first. This was because the first few horses got a good start and saved their energy for the final stretch of the race. Later, as dash racing became the norm, a few yards in the race took on greater importance and a horse’s ability to accelerate rapidly was crucial.

Despite the best efforts of a handful of independent nonprofit horse rescues, most ex-racehorses end their lives as foals or as breeding stock. Some are discarded by their owners, while others hemorrhage into the slaughter pipeline. The only way to stop the cycle is for the industry to reassess its business model and to begin offering an adequate wraparound aftercare solution for every horse leaving the track. This would take a profound ideological reckoning on both the macro business and the industry level, as well as within the hearts and minds of racing fans. It would mean making an important decision: Do horses matter enough to put in the effort required to protect them?