Horse races are a time-honored tradition, and many are held in cities with historic horse racing traditions. These events often feature a large purse, and horses may be assigned varying amounts of weight to carry based on their abilities, age, sex, and training. In most cases, horses must complete a certain number of laps around the track to win a race. Other determining factors in a race may include the location of the starting gate, the type of terrain, and if it is a handicap race.

A horse race can also refer to a competition that pits two or more people against each other, such as a political contest. While the term has many different connotations, the word horse race is most commonly used to describe a competition that is close and competitive. It is a term that is widely used in the United States, and it can be seen in the names of many popular sporting events, such as the Kentucky Derby.

Despite the romanticized image of horse racing, this sport is brutal for the animals involved. Behind the scenes, horses endure injuries, gruesome breakdowns, and even slaughter. The exploitation of horses in the sport has fueled a growing movement to reform horse racing and to stop the blatant abuse of these majestic creatures.

In the past, many bettors would cheer a horse by its name. For example, Seabiscuit was a crowd pleaser and one of the few horses that fans seemed to connect with. However, horse racing has moved away from this personal connection between the fans and the horses. Instead, bettors tend to cheer a horse by its number.

Before a race begins, the horses are put in the walking ring and their coats are examined for brightness. The brighter the coat, the more likely the horse is to run well. The horses are also evaluated for elasticity, and a horse that is not able to stretch its body and leg lengths will struggle in the race.

The auxiliary starting gate is used when the number of horses in a race exceeds the capacity of the main gate. This gate opens before the main gate and is positioned to the side of the track.

When a horse is entered in a race, it must be weighed before the starting gate opens. The official weighmaster determines the amount of weight a horse will carry in the race based on its conditions, sex, and age. A horse is eligible to start in a race if the weight does not exceed a certain amount, such as a minimum of 1000 pounds.

A horse race approach to management requires a strong culture of internal leadership development and a belief that the right leader will emerge from an overt contest. The success of this management style is highly dependent upon the ability of the board and current CEO to select top candidates who can compete for the role. Some boards, particularly those that are more risk-averse, may be reluctant to adopt a horse race approach to management because of their fear that it could result in a lengthy and drawn-out succession process.