A horse race is a sport in which a group of horses competes to win money for their owners by running on a course over which they have been trained to run. Despite the fact that improved medical treatment and technological advances have greatly reduced the number of deaths among racehorses, many horses continue to die in this violent and often gruesome pursuit. The death of Eight Belles in 2008 and the earlier death of Medina Spirit have prompted a number of people to demand a reckoning of this sport’s integrity and ethics.

A thoroughbred is a breed of horse that is prized for its speed and stamina. It is a large animal and must be properly trained and cared for to thrive in the harsh environment of a racetrack. This requires a large amount of food and supplements, as well as a rigorous physical regimen. These conditions can lead to a number of health problems, such as galloping (a dangerous and painful condition in which the legs of the animal buckle under the horse) and a traumatic breakdown called colic.

Horse races are generally held on dirt or turf courses and are measured in furlongs, a measurement equal to one-eighth of a mile (220 yards/660 feet). They can be open to any number of runners and be divided into a variety of categories based on the age, distance, sex, birthplace, and previous performance of the horses entered. Each horse is assigned a weight to carry in the race, which is based on its ability and the track’s customary conditions.

During the early stages of horse racing, match races were commonly held between two or three horses, with an owner providing the purse and a simple wager. Pressure from the public eventually produced events with larger fields, and eligibility rules were developed based on a number of criteria including age, sex, birthplace, and other performance. As dash, or one-heat, racing became the norm, a jockey’s skill and judgment grew more vital in gaining a victory. The early agreements between owners and riders were recorded by disinterested third parties, who came to be known as keepers of the match book.

The term hung is used to describe a horse that is not running at its best or has encountered unusual difficulty during the race. A horse with a good trip has enjoyed few problems and thus will have an advantage in the official order of finish and for payouts. A bad trip may be the result of a horse being boxed in by other runners or the horse not being able to get clear of a slowing rival. An inquiry is a review of a race after it has concluded to see if an infraction has occurred. If a judge finds that an infraction did occur, then the original official order of finish for the race is changed.