Horse racing is an ancient sport that has been practiced in various cultures since antiquity. It has been a major part of myth and legend, such as the contest between Odin’s steed Hrungnir and the giant Helgi in Norse mythology. Horse races are held on tracks, and participants place bets on which horse will win a given race. These bets are known as accumulator bets. Aside from betting, fans also attend horse races to watch the spectacle of horses and their jockeys.

The earliest recorded horse races took place in Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Later, the sport spread to the Americas, with the first organized race taking place in New York City in 1664. Until the Civil War, match races were usually conducted over several four-mile heats; afterward, dash racing became the norm, and a few extra yards of speed was worth significant rewards for both the horse and its rider.

Today, most horse races are held in the United States and Australia. The sport is regulated by a national governing body, and many of the rules are identical across jurisdictions. Horses are bred to be fast and powerful, so they can run long distances in short amounts of time. They are trained to follow the lead of the pack, and their riders, called jockeys, control them with whips. They also monitor the horse’s condition and keep it healthy.

The horse race industry is controversial because of its treatment of animals. It is notorious for promoting overbreeding, and it has become a popular target of animal rights activists. The animal rights group PETA has documented numerous instances of abuse and cruelty, including grueling training regimens that can cause breakdowns and cracked hooves, and the transport of American-bred horses to slaughter in foreign markets.

Some of the key positions in horse racing are the owner, trainer, and jockey. The owners purchase the horses and are responsible for their care and upkeep. They hire trainers and grooms to help them get in the best shape to compete, and they bet on their horses to make money for themselves. The jockeys are the humans who ride the horses, and they must be skilled enough to handle them and win races.

There are other significant people behind the scenes in horse racing, such as veterinarians and track officials. The vets make sure that the horses are healthy and safe to run, while the track officials oversee the conditions of the track. The responsibilities of these individuals vary depending on their job description, but they are all important to the success of the sport.