Horse racing is a sport of betting, in which horses compete against each other over a variety of distances. The sport is regulated by the government in some countries, while others promote it independently. In the United States, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association oversees the sport, and races are run at several large racetracks throughout the country. The prestigious Triple Crown races are held each year, and they draw the attention of fans from across the nation.

Despite the fact that many people enjoy watching a horse race, it is important to remember that a racehorse is a living creature, not a piece of machinery. The animals are subjected to a brutal and often deadly sport, in which they are whipped and forced to run around tracks made of hard dirt at speeds of thirty miles per hour while carrying people on their backs. A study of track injuries found that one thoroughbred dies every 22 races, and one in three suffer catastrophic injuries that prevent them from continuing to race.

In addition to the dangers of running at high speeds, many races involve jumping over obstacles, and many horses are injured in these events. Many horses are also abused and neglected, leading to behavioral problems that can be dangerous to the animal or its handlers. In addition, a number of horses are used for illegal gambling operations known as bush tracks, where they are trained and conditioned to gamble on races that are not sanctioned by the government or a horseracing organization. The equine industry as a whole is rife with corruption and drug abuse, and many horses’ careers end at the slaughterhouse.

While the rules of horse racing vary from country to country, most adhere to a basic set of principles. A thoroughbred must be at least four years old to race, and it is illegal for a younger horse to compete against an older one. In order to encourage participation, some races offer higher purses than others. Likewise, some races are classified as handicap races, in which the weights that horses must carry are adjusted according to their age and other factors, such as sex.

Before each race, a group of stewards examines the horses and jockeys to ensure that they are clean. In some cases, urine samples are taken, and if a horse is found to have ingested drugs, it will be disqualified from the race. In addition, a horse must be weighed before the race begins in order to verify its weight. Most racetracks have a designated weigh master who determines whether a horse is carrying the proper amount of weight.