A horse race is a competitive event in which horses of all shapes and sizes are forced to sprint over long distances, often at speeds that can cause injuries, gruesome breakdowns, or even death. While the sport has evolved from a primitive contest of speed or stamina between two horses to a massive public-entertainment business that involves huge fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and immense sums of money, the fundamental principle has remained the same: whichever horse crosses the finish line first is the winner.
The earliest races were match races, in which an owner provided the purse and a simple wager was placed. An owner who withdrew commonly forfeited half the purse or, later, the whole purse. Match race agreements were recorded by disinterested third parties, who came to be known as keepers of the match book. The first comprehensive record of such an agreement was An Historical List of All Match Races Run (1729), compiled by Newmarket match book keeper John Cheny. A similar publication, the Racing Calendar, was started by James Weatherby in 1773.
Modern horse racing is a global industry with a multibillion-dollar market, and is largely dependent on equine gambling. Many state governments regulate and tax gambling, while others ban it outright. In addition to gambling, horse races also serve as a popular diversion for spectators, who typically attend events at large stadiums where food and drinks are available. Despite the popularity of horse racing, animal rights activists are calling for reform or outright banning of the sport.
In general, a jockey is responsible for riding and controlling the speed and direction of a horse during a race. A jockey is also charged with ensuring that the horse does not become injured or distressed during the course of the race. A common type of injury for a racehorse is a strained or pulled muscle, which can occur when a horse is exercised vigorously prior to a race. Other common injuries are fractures, lacerations, and degenerative joint changes, such as condylar fractures, which can be caused by repeated contact with the track surface.
The history of horse racing in America is closely linked with the development of organized colonial government. The first American track was established on what is now Long Island, over a century before the founding of our nation. Initially, racing was informal; however, in order to increase its popularity, the government developed a set of rules in the 1660s that made racing more formal and focused on stamina rather than speed.