Horse racing is the sport of running horses at speed, typically on a flat course with no jumps or hurdles. It is typically a form of gambling where bettors wager on the likelihood that a specific horse will win a race. Thoroughbred horse races are often referred to as the sport of kings and queens, because of the wealth that it is possible to amass from winning bets on horses.

There are many critics of horse racing, who argue that it is a cruel sport that exploits and abuses horses. In recent years, however, there have been several improvements made in the sport in order to make it more ethical and humane. Some of these include random drug testing, better care and training for young horses, and a decrease in the amount of time that horses spend racing. These changes are largely due to pressure from animal rights groups, as well as from the public at large.

One of the most significant changes in horse racing is a result of technological advances that have improved safety for both horses and jockeys. These advancements have included the use of thermal imaging cameras to detect horses that may be overheating after a race, MRI scanners, and 3D printing to provide casts and splints to injured or ill horses. In addition to these advances, jockeys and trainers have improved their safety by using neck braces, softer saddles, and a more humane approach to riding techniques.

In the early days of organized racing, most races were match races between two or three horses. In these matches, the owners provided the purse (a prize money pool) and bets were a form of a simple wager. If an owner withdrew from the race, he or she would forfeit half of the purse, and this practice eventually came to be known as the “play or pay” system.

During the 1700s and 1800s, the number of horse races increased dramatically, and it was during this period that modern drugs began to be used in the sport of racing. Powerful painkillers and anti-inflammatories that are designed for humans bled over into race preparation, and this caused the horses to run even though they were sore. This caused many races to become very short and a great deal of money was lost.

Before the Civil War, the hallmark of a successful American race horse was stamina rather than speed. By the end of the 1860s, however, speed had become the most important factor in winning a race.