A horse race is a contest of speed among horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. It involves a huge physical effort from the horses, but also requires enormous skill and insight from the riders to ensure that they ride the horse in a way that maximizes its chances of winning.

The most prestigious events in the sport of horse racing are called stakes races. These races feature top-notch horses, skilled jockeys and fervent spectators. However, not all horses are suited to the sport and differing national organisations may have different rules regarding what kinds of horses can compete.

The sport of horse racing has its roots in the early 17th century and began as match races between two or at most three horses. The owner of the winning horse was required to pay a wager, and the winner was determined by the first horse to reach the finish line. A record of these matches was kept by disinterested third parties, who came to be known as keepers of the match book. These keepers also recorded any agreements between the owners, and these agreements were published in a book that became known as the Racing Calendar.

These matches were originally based on a “play or pay” system, meaning that if an owner did not participate, he would forfeit half of the purse. Later, an entire purse was forfeited if the owner did not play. The rules were further standardized by Charles II (reigned 1660-85), who instituted the King’s Plates, which were a set of races for six-year-olds carrying 168 pounds at four-mile heats. The winner was the first to win two of these heats. As dash racing became the rule, a winning margin of only a few yards was possible, and a jockey’s judgment and skill became more crucial.

All horse races must have a steward on hand to monitor the safety of the horses and the conduct of the competitors. These stewards will usually be present in a stand on the track, but in some cases are located in another part of the course. If a horse is injured, the stewards will stop the race and notify the veterinarian.

The governing body for the sport of horse racing sets out the rules that are followed by all horses and jockeys competing in races. The majority of these rules are standardized and are based on the British Horseracing Authority’s rulebook.

Each horse that competes in a race is assigned a stable when it arrives at the racecourse. These stables are where the horses stay before and after the race. The stables provide food, bedding and water to the horses. They also offer the horses a chance to cool down and relax after the race. The stables are also where the horses are showered, dried and can drink up to 60 litres of water after the race. This is important to prevent the horses from overexerting themselves after the race.