How Horse Racing Is Done

Horse racing has entranced spectators for centuries, with its earliest accounts dating back to the Greek Olympic Games. Today, it’s a global sport that continues to grow in popularity and attract a high level of betting action. Its breeding and training are both science and art, with stables following long-standing methods that have been passed down through generations. However, growing awareness of the dark side of horse racing has fueled improvements, with racehorses now subject to the utmost security measures on and off the track.

While national horse racing organisations may have different rules concerning how races are run, most follow a common rulebook. This includes a series of guidelines that govern race conditions and regulations, including safety for both horses and humans. This rulebook has evolved to meet the demands of a modern industry that has benefited from advances in technology. For example, thermal imaging cameras can detect when a horse is overheating post-race and 3D printing has been used to make casts, splints and prosthetics for injured or ailing horses.

To prepare for a race, a trainer will exercise his runner by riding him and running him in a controlled environment. These sessions, known as galloping exercises, build a runner’s strength and endurance while also assessing his fitness. As the runner becomes more fit, the trainer will increase his workouts by having him gallop for longer periods and by working him or her in a breeze. A breeze is a timed run in which the runner runs at a higher pace for a set distance and can reveal if the horse has reached peak condition.

During a race, jockeys mount their horses and steer them along the course, which often involves jumping hurdles, if present. The aim is to get the horse to cross the finish line in first place to win the race and receive its prize money. If no one crosses the line in first place, a dead heat is declared.

In some cases, the stewards will study a photograph of the finish and decide which horse has crossed the line first. This is known as a photo finish and has been used in some high-profile races, such as the 2018 Kentucky Derby. When a photo finish isn’t possible, the stewards will use other factors to determine a winner. For example, if a runner had the highest number of points in designated races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, they will be declared the winner.

In addition to injuries and deaths on the racetrack, animal welfare advocates have identified routine training and husbandry practices, drug use and human-horse interactions as major issues in thoroughbred horse racing. These issues have been highlighted by recent investigations into abusive training for young horses, the transport of racehorses to slaughter and the use of drugs such as Lasix that are intended to help them perform better. The use of these drugs, which are sometimes marketed as “performance-enhancing” or “therapeutic,” has been controversial.