A horse race is a sport that involves horses running against each other in a track setting. The first horse to cross the finish line wins the race and receives the prize money that goes along with it. In the beginning, races were match contests between two horses, but pressure by the public led to more and more races with large fields of runners. The steeplechase, a race that requires jumping over various obstacles and is often the most arduous for the animals, is considered the pinnacle of horse racing. Xenophon, the Greek author, wrote of it in the 5th century BC.

In a race, trainers prepare their horses for competition by exercising them to build up speed and stamina. They also administer medication to prevent illnesses and injuries, and they use a special feeding formula that helps them maintain their shape while working in close quarters. When it is time for the horses to compete, they are brought to the paddock, the section of the track where the horses are saddled and inspected. Each horse must be verified for identity and weighed in to determine its proper weight. Jockeys wear hats to protect their heads, and stewards examine saliva and urine samples for banned substances.

When a horse is ready for the race, it is led to the starting gate, which is electrically operated in most countries. A jockey tries to make sure the animal is comfortable at the gate and not frightened or angry. If a horse balks—which happens when it is nervous or frightened—it will be disqualified from the race.

After the gate opens, the horses begin to run and the stewards, patrol judges, and a patrol photographer observe for any rule violations. The stewards also photograph the race and use a device called a timer to ensure that each horse is timed to the exact second.

As the horses begin to tire, good riders will use the whip to force them on. They will try to draw ahead of other competitors and take the lead, but this can be dangerous. A well-trained horse can be ridden to the front and still win the race by using its endurance.

The winner is declared when the stewards have finished examining all of the horses. The winner is awarded a purse, or prize money, and the jockeys are awarded a bonus for winning the race. The stewards may also disqualify any horse that is seen to have committed a serious infraction of the rules.

Many people support horse racing because of its popularity and glamour, but behind the romanticized facade is a world of broken bones, drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. Many organizations, including PETA, are putting pressure on the industry to improve conditions for the animals.