Horse racing is a sport in which horses compete to be the fastest around a course of obstacles. It can take place on the flat or over a course of jumps, and horses may be ridden or driven. The sport is a popular spectator activity with bettors placing wagers on the outcome of each race. It is also a major industry, with well-known owners, breeders, jockeys, and trainers.
There is no single timeframe for the beginning of modern horse racing, but it has long been a popular spectator sport. It probably began in the New World with the first organized races occurring in the 1660s on Long Island, New York. The sport then spread across the country as settlers brought horses and created race tracks. As a result, many different breeds of horses race today in the United States including Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Appaloosas.
Although a relatively young sport, the popularity of horse racing has made it one of the most profitable sports in the world. It is a multi-billion dollar industry with a worldwide presence. There are more than 400 racetracks worldwide, and many of them host major events such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. These races attract millions of fans and produce some of the most famous names in equine racing.
The sport of horse racing is divided into two types – flat and jumps racing (also known as National Hunt racing in the UK). Flat races involve horses galloping directly between two points on a straight or oval track, with courses usually ranging from five to twelve furlongs. Shorter races are referred to as sprints, while longer races are categorized as either routes or staying races. Races over hills or other obstacles are often referred to as steeplechases, and they tend to increase in difficulty as horses get older.
While the majority of races are held in Europe, horse racing is a popular sport in other parts of the world as well. For example, Hungary has a rich racing tradition and produces some notable international racehorses. These include Kincsem, the most successful Thoroughbred racehorse of all time with 54 wins from his first 54 starts, and Overdose, who won a number of races at Royal Ascot in the UK.
