A horse race is a contest between horses and other animals that is run over a set course. It is one of the oldest sports in human history and has been practiced in civilizations throughout the world for thousands of years. It is also a key part of myth and legend, including the contest between Odin’s steeds in Norse mythology.

A race is typically held at a horse track or in an enclosed facility that is designed to be safe for spectators. The animals are led into the facility by their handlers and a number is assigned to each one. The winning horse receives the total amount wagered on him or her by all the players, after a percentage of the money is taken out by the track. The winning bettors then collect their payouts, which may be less than the amount that was staked.

When a player places a bet on a specific horse, they can choose to bet to win, place, or show. A win bet is when a player selects the horse they think will finish first. A place bet pays out if the selected horse finishes in either second or third. A show bet pays out if the selected horse comes in first, second or third. The payouts for a win, place or show bet are determined by the odds that are offered at the time of the bet.

Before the first modern racetracks were built in England, horse races were match contests between two or at most three horses. The demand for more public racing by the mid-18th century produced events with larger fields of runners, and rules were established regarding eligibility based on age, sex, birthplace, and previous performance. By 1751 races were standardized with six-year-olds carrying 168 pounds in four-mile heats, and two heats were required for a winner.

In the United States, horse races are usually conducted under the auspices of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. The governing body of the sport maintains a series of regulations, including safety requirements for both horses and jockeys. It also oversees the licensing of tracks and monitors betting patterns to ensure that integrity is maintained.

A race’s start is signaled by the sound of a bell or buzzer and the roar of the crowd. The horses are then led to the starting gate, which is electrically operated at most tracks. Once the horses are on their way, stewards and patrol judges, aided by motion-picture cameras, watch for rule violations and measure the distance to the finish line.

The earliest records of horse racing are found in Asia Minor, but the sport has been practiced in many cultures and civilizations for at least 4,000 years. In ancient Greece, both chariot and bareback races were held as part of the Olympic Games from 700 to 40 B.C. Later, the sport spread to China, India, Persia, Arabia and Egypt. In the medieval period, it was a popular pastime among the nobility and clergy.