Horse racing has entranced spectators for centuries, from the chariot races depicted in Homer’s Iliad to modern thoroughbred races that draw crowds and wagers from around the world. Spectacular races like the Melbourne Cup, billed as “the race that stops a nation,” celebrate national pride and heritage. And while betting has long been a staple of the sport, it’s not just about winning money—it’s about making connections and enjoying the thrills of a day at the races.

Horses are bred and trained for specific disciplines of the sport, such as flat racing or jumping. The latter focuses on bigger obstacles over longer distances, with European jumps horses typically starting in National Hunt flat races as juveniles, then moving to hurdling, and finally, if thought capable, steeplechasing. Throughout the training process, the horses are subject to physical and mental stressors.

A horse’s sensitivity to pain is a major issue that can affect its performance and wellbeing. The onset of injuries, such as lameness and the more severe bone fractures (sesamoid) and tendonitis, often arise from repetitive stress on the legs from running or training and can be aggravated by the use of a bit that is too small or too harsh.

The most common injury is a fetlock sprain, which results from excessive stretching and movement of the foot. The sesamoid bones are two small bones in the ankle joint, and they can be prone to fracture or inflammation. If the fractures are severe, they can result in a partial dislocation of the ankle.

To prevent injuries, trainers may use a variety of tools and techniques to help the horses endure the physical and mental stresses of the racetrack. These include a padded sweat rug, a blanket, and a shadow roll (a sheepskin or similar wrap that is secured over the horse’s head to keep it from seeing shadows on the track and shying away or jumping them). Additionally, trainers may apply a liniment, a lubricant, or even pepper spray to help the horses stay relaxed and calm during the race.

The race procedure begins when the jockeys, as the riders are called, weigh in and report to the paddock—the section at the track where horses are saddled. They then parade their horses past the stewards for inspection. Once the stewards have verified the identity of the horses, they give the riders instructions in the paddock, and then the horses are sent to the track where the race is run. The stewards monitor the entire race, looking for any rule infractions that could lead to disqualification of the winner. Saliva and urine samples are also taken from the horses before and after the race. These are tested for the presence of banned substances such as anabolic steroids. The resulting results are announced after the race has finished.