A horse race is a competition in which horses compete against one another over a fixed distance. It is a traditional form of entertainment that has evolved over the centuries into a modern spectacle with large fields, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment and enormous sums of money on the line. But its basic concept has not changed: the horse that finishes first wins. The modern version of the sport has also incorporated numerous forms of gambling, including parimutuel betting and handicapping, which assigns points or weights to different horses. In addition, many horse races have various rules regarding the condition of the track and a number of other factors that can affect a horse’s performance.

A jockey rides a horse to guide it through the course of a race. A rider must adhere to certain safety standards and obey the rules of the race in order to qualify for a payout. Generally, a race will include a fixed amount of prize money that is divided among the top three finishers.

In the United States, horse races are often called sprints or routes depending on their length. A short sprint is a test of speed and requires fast acceleration, while a long-distance race is a test of stamina.

The most prestigious races are called conditions races, and they offer the largest purses. These races are designed to provide a level playing field by giving allowances for horses’ age, sex and other factors. Some races are contested on dirt or turf, while others are run on synthetic surfaces such as polytracks.

Some horse races are settled by photo finishes, where a photograph of the finish line is examined by stewards to determine which horse crossed the line first. If the stewards cannot decide, the dead heat rule will apply.

While the use of technology has helped increase safety and improve racing results, horse racing remains a dangerous sport for horses. Injuries and breakdowns are common, but the most significant threat is abuse of the animals. PETA has uncovered numerous incidents of horses being drugged, whipped and trained and raced too young. The group estimates that ten thousand American thoroughbreds are slaughtered each year.

Some horses are drugged to help them endure the demands of racing, which can damage their skeletal systems. A horse that is not healthy can quickly become a liability to its owner, so it is often euthanized or sent to slaughter. Those who remain are typically sold at auction or exported to slaughterhouses in other countries.