A horse race is a competitive event in which a jockey rides a horse over a set distance on a designated track. The winner is declared when the horse crosses the finish line first. Horse races are one of the most popular spectator sports and have spawned many big screen films, including the classics “A Day at the Races,” “Boots Malone,” and “The Black Stallion.”
The first documented horse race was held in 1651 in France as a wager between two noblemen. By 1715, racing based on gambling had become widespread in the French monarchy, and Louis XIV (1643-1715) established rules for races to control betting, impose minimum weight allowances, require a certificate of origin for horses, and require riders to be licensed as gentlemen.
Horse races are run on a variety of surfaces, including dirt, grass, and synthetic tracks. The most important factors for a winning horse are its speed and stamina, which are determined by its genetics and training, as well as its experience on the racetrack. The horse’s physical condition is also an important factor, particularly its feet and legs, which are subjected to great pressure during a race.
To improve a horse’s chances of winning, trainers use various medications to enhance a horse’s performance and mask any pain or discomfort. Some of these drugs are legal, but others are not. The use of illegal drugs is a common problem in horse racing, and horses often end up injured or lame. These horses are then sold at auction, where they are ultimately sent to slaughterhouses.
Races are generally divided into several categories, with the most prestigious races having the highest purses. These are known as stakes races, and include the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Other prestigious races are called handicap races, which give each horse a specific weight to carry for fairness. In such races, a horse’s performance can be affected by its position relative to the inside barrier, its gender, its age, and its trainer.
Click or tap a race title to get more detailed information, including premium Timeform post racing analysis. You can also see our Fast Results service, which displays the latest race results as soon as a horse passes the post. You can access this from any device, wherever you are – as long as you have an internet connection. This is available for all meetings listed on this page, as well as selected fixtures shown live on Racing TV, ITV, and Sky Sports Racing/At The Races. The race results are updated as each horse crosses the line, and can be viewed in full or filtered by grade or class. If you are a premium Timeform user, you can view even more detail by clicking or tapping the’more’ icon next to each race result.