Horse races are popular events around the world and involve horses running for a long distance to win a bet. The winner of a race is determined by the first horse to pass the finish line, which is usually located under a banner or in the middle of a track. These races are typically watched by millions of people and can be very exciting. The rules of the races are regulated by horse racing officials called Stewards. Stewards are tasked with making sure that all the rules are followed during every race and that no one is cheating.

The history of horse racing is incredibly rich and dates back to ancient times. There are records of organized chariot and mounted (bareback) races in the Olympic games in Greece from 700-40 bce, and racing was also a popular sport throughout the Roman Empire. During this time, there were many different types of races, including match races between two or more horses and accumulator bets.

As the popularity of horse racing increased, so did the need to find ways to increase a horse’s speed and stamina. In addition to the training and fitness of the horses, racing officials also used various medications and supplements to help them perform better. Some of these substances were legal and some were not, but the racing industry has always been looking for an edge over its competitors. Today, it is common to see advertisements in racing publications for various supplements and gizmos that claim to make horses run faster.

The earliest races were match races between two or at most three horses, with owners providing the purse and bets being placed on the outcome. A win meant winning the whole purse and a loss meant forfeiting it. These agreements were recorded by disinterested third parties who became known as keepers of the match book and eventually published consolidated lists at several locations. One such publication was An Historical List of All Matches Run (1729), published by John Cheny at Newmarket, England. These books grew in popularity and were soon being published in other countries as well.

Once the popularity of horse racing spread, it became important to divide races into groups based on age and gender in order to create a more competitive balance. These races are known as stakes and have a specific name to let fans know what kind of race they will be attending. Some of the most famous stakes races include the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Europe, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in Australia, Dubai World Cup in the UAE, and the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in America.

While horse racing does not have any professional players like those of other sports, fans still cheer on the individual horses during the race. This is especially true if the horse is a favorite. Seabiscuit was a favorite of bettors and won the hearts of many people, but there are other horses that have become favorites over the years as well.