The roar of spectators, the clang of hooves, and the blur of stripes are just some of what you might expect when watching a horse race. But it’s also a display of ruthless competition, a sport in which the ultimate goal is to make one horse better than another, no matter the cost. As a result, horses are subject to exorbitant levels of physical stress and, at times, tragically die. This is not a new phenomenon and, sadly, it appears to have become an intrinsic aspect of the sport’s culture.

The first documented race in what would later become the United States took place in 1752 in Virginia. Insatiable gambler William Byrd III imported a stallion named Tryal from England, and his aim was to show it off before a crowd and rake in a large gambling win. Instead, the horse suffered an excruciatingly painful death at a relatively young age due to the overwhelming demands of the race.

Racing became widespread in medieval England, with professional riders (jockeys) demonstrating horses’ top speed to potential buyers. The races were typically over short distances such as a quarter, half, or a mile and usually took place on open fields and roads. Horses were ridden bareback and were usually owned by nobles or aristocrats.

In time, racehorses developed into a distinct breed and were bred to achieve high speeds. By the early 20th century, the best of these were achieving record-breaking times in the most prestigious races. This period also saw the rise of modern sports medicine.

Although the improvement in horse race times is substantial, it’s worth noting that horses are much more likely to suffer fatal injuries than humans in elite athletic events. This is largely because human athletes strive to achieve the most efficient time possible, whereas jockeys and trainers care more about winning per se.

Horse races have a long and varied history around the world. From ancient Babylon to the Greek Olympic Games, the sport has evolved from war, hunting and herding practices in which fast horses were a necessity to organized competitive contests.

Today, horse races are often staged on specialized tracks made from dirt and other materials to ensure that the equine competitors will run as quickly and smoothly as possible. The most famous horse race in the world is probably the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France. This is the race that was won by Seabiscuit, Man o’War, and many other greats.

In some of the most famous horse races, weight is adjusted for different age categories so that younger horses have to carry more than older ones. These adjustments, called handicaps, are based on the horses’ past performance. This is also how we have a system of sex allowances, whereby fillies are allowed to carry less weight than males. This is the case in some of the world’s most prestigious horse races, including the Caulfield Cup and Sydney Cup in Australia, the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in Argentina, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in England.