A horse race is a competition between a human and a horse that either runs under the saddle of a jockey or pulls a sulky driven by a driver. A race can also be a contest of strength between a male and female horse or between different horses. Horse races have a long history, with the earliest written account of horse racing dating back to about 1500 bc in Asia Minor. The sport gained international fame in the 1700s when a series of spectacular horse races were held in France. The aristocratic elite favored the sport and were eager to impress visitors from abroad with their wealth and power.

The modern horse race is a complex affair. The race is governed by a series of rules that are enforced by a group of officials called the stewards. During the race, they monitor the horses for any violations of the rules, especially if they break down or are injured. They also make sure that each horse is given an equal opportunity to win. The results are then announced by the stewards.

During the race, the officials may also use video footage to verify a finish or disqualify a horse that is suspected of foul play. In addition, the stewards can use a photofinish camera to determine the order of finish in close races.

In the United States, the stewards are often members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The NTRA oversees the conduct of all horse races in the country. In addition, it imposes rules on the trainers and jockeys, as well as regulating the types of drugs that can be given to the horses. The NTRA is also a major funder of racetracks and horse breeders.

Although the sport has a number of improvements, critics have argued that it is not enough. They point out that the racing industry has a dark side, including abusive training practices for young horses and drug abuse. In addition, the sport is dependent on taxpayer subsidies, which gives horsemen a financial incentive to push their horses beyond their limits.

Despite this, many people still enjoy watching horse races. However, critics say that the industry’s reputation for corruption has made it difficult to attract new audiences. They argue that media outlets should focus less on horse race journalism and more on actual news coverage. A study of newspaper articles about elections found that newspapers that were corporate-owned or part of a large chain were more likely to portray elections as a horse race than those that were owned by a single person. This type of reporting was most prevalent in close races and in the weeks leading up to Election Day.