A horse race is an event in which a group of people, usually men or women, compete to win a prize by guiding their horses through a course of obstacles and hurdles. A person or team who wins the most races wins a prize, which can be anything from a cup to money. Horse racing has a long history and has been practiced in various civilizations throughout the world. It has also been portrayed in popular culture and is considered to be one of the oldest sports.

In horse racing, a horse’s speed is measured in terms of its speed figures, which are assigned by a panel of racing officials and handicappers. These figures are based on the performance of the horse in elite races over a set period of time and are published annually.

Horses are rated in several categories depending on their age, surface and distance of the race. The top-rated horses are crowned champions and are often the favorites for major events, such as the Triple Crown races and international competitions like the Dubai World Cup and Royal Ascot.

The sport has a rich history dating back to Ancient Greece, Rome and Babylon. It has since become an integral part of European and Asian culture, and is practiced in a variety of countries and regions around the world. It is a popular sport for spectators as well as participants, and many people enjoy betting on the outcome of each race.

While the sport has improved in recent years, it still suffers from many problems. For example, horses are often pushed beyond their natural limits and injured in the process. It is common for horses to have gruesome breakdowns, and it is even more common for them to die from such injuries as bleeding lungs and fractured bones. The industry is rife with drug abuse, and it is not uncommon for trainers to use illegal substances such as human growth hormones on their horses.

Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse racing is a dark side of injury, death and slaughter. While spectators wear extravagant hats and sip mint juleps, horses are forced to sprint, often under the threat of whips, and at speeds far faster than their bodies were designed for. It is not uncommon for them to suffer debilitating injuries, such as a fetlock fracture or hemorrhaging lungs, and it is not uncommon for them to be sent to slaughterhouses where they will be killed for their flesh.