A horse race is a sport in which horses are ridden by jockeys and pulled by sulkies (drawn carriages). The sport originated in Europe and is one of the oldest spectator sports in the world. It is also a popular global sport, with major races like the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes drawing large crowds. Advancements in technology have made the sport more sophisticated and thrilling.

Flat racing is the most common form of horseracing worldwide. It consists of straight-line or oval-shaped tracks over distances between two points. The sport is regulated by national and international organizations, such as the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Jump racing is another form of horse racing that involves jumping over obstacles. This type of horseracing is usually referred to as National Hunt racing in Britain and Ireland, although it can be subdivided into steeplechasing and hurling depending on the size of the obstacles. It is a popular spectator sport in Great Britain and Ireland, where the Grand National is a major event.

Throughout the centuries, horse races have played an important role in many civilizations. Ancient records indicate that horse races were held in Greece, Rome, Egypt, Babylon, Syria, and Arabia. It was also an integral part of Norse mythology, where Odin’s steeds Hrungnir and Sleipner were used in the competition.

Modern-day horse racing is a massive industry that contributes $15 billion to the economy of the United States, making it the second most popular spectator sport in the country after football. The United States has several historic racetracks, significant events, and prominent institutions such as the American Stud Book.

The traditional high point of Thoroughbred racing in the United States is the Kentucky Derby, which is held on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is followed by the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Belmont Stakes at Elmont Race Track on Long Island, New York three weeks later. Together, these races are considered the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing for three-year-olds.

Canada has a long tradition of horse racing, including its oldest thoroughbred racetrack, Woodbine, which opened in 1956. It is the home of the Queen’s Plate (1860), Canada’s premier Thoroughbred race, and the North America Cup (1984). Woodbine is also known for its outstanding sires such as Northern Dancer, who won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Queen’s Plate in 1964.

In Belgium, horse racing takes place at three venues – Hippodrome Wellington in Ostend (named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington), Hippodrome Waregem in Waregem and the Hippodrome de Mons in Wallonie. The sport is regulated by the Belgian Horseracing Authority and is a major attraction for tourists.

Japan has a small but significant horseracing industry that is dominated by flat racing. There are ten major races each year, which are controlled by the Japan Racing Association and the National Association of Racing (NAR). The country also has a smaller but nevertheless important jumps racing sector, with Auteil Racecourse being the main venue.