Horse racing is a sport involving horses ridden by jockeys over a set distance. It is often regarded as a popular spectator sport, though it also involves betting and is a major economic activity worldwide. Exceptional racehorses can earn millions of dollars in their career as both winners and sires (parents) of offspring. The breeding and training of horses is a global industry in its own right.

The sport of horse racing has been around for hundreds of years. It was a popular sport among the British aristocracy, and it is still referred to as the “Sport of Kings.” While it has retained its many traditions and rules, horse races have benefitted from modern technological advances in a number of areas. These include race-day safety, as well as improvements in the treatment and care of injured or sick horses.

Races are typically held on either a flat or jump track. While flat races are generally run over a straight track, jump races feature hurdles and fences. There are many different types of jump races, including steeple chases and National Hunt races. In order to win a jump race, a horse must make it over the obstacles and cross the finish line first.

A horse’s race day preparation includes a series of workouts and races before the actual event. These work outs help the rider and trainer determine whether the horse is fit enough to compete in a particular race. If a horse is not healthy enough, the trainer may choose to skip a race or decide on an alternative race in which to enter the horse.

The most important events in a horse’s season are the Triple Crown races. These are the Belmont Stakes, Preakness Stakes, and Kentucky Derby. This series of races is a test of speed and stamina. Many countries have established their own versions of this series of elite races.

Wagering on horse races began in the early 1800s and has grown into a huge industry worldwide. Bettors can place bets on individual horses or on groups of horses to finish in the top three places. In the United States, the most common form of bets is the pari-mutuel system where all bettors share a pool and are paid out according to their position on the final leaderboard. This eliminates the need for a bookmaker, but the track may lose money if the odds on one horse go down.