Horse racing draws millions of spectators from around the world to watch their favorite horses run, often at speeds that put them in danger. But behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse racing lies a dark, cruel reality of injuries, drug abuse, and slaughter. While racegoers wear fancy outfits and sip mint juleps, horses are forced to run for their lives on hard tracks at speeds that can cause them to break down or even hemorrhage from their lungs. They are whipped, drugged and sometimes even shocked using electric devices called jiggers – which are illegal under animal welfare laws in many countries.

While racing is a sport that allows bettors to make money, it also brings in a large amount of revenue for owners and trainers. The sport’s biggest races – such as the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup – feature prize purses that can reach over $1 million. These races are considered Grade 1 and attract the best horses in the world. A horse that wins one of these races is considered to be a champion, similar to a professional athlete winning an MVP award.

The lower levels of races – allowance and claiming – can expose horses that don’t have the ability to compete with the best in the sport, or that simply don’t want to race. When they’re claimed away, the original owner only gets what they paid to enter the race (plus 40% of any winnings). In other words, the claiming game can be very lucrative for trainers who are skilled at it.

During a race, announcers will often refer to the distance between the lead and last-placed horses in terms of length. A horse is said to be a neck back of the horse in front of him when they are running at the same pace. If a horse is “a head down” of the horse in front of him, it means that the two horses are close together but one horse is just a stride away from overtaking or tying the horse in front of them.

Horse racing is a global industry that involves many different cultures and traditions. Across the globe, races are used to celebrate national pride and heritage, as well as economic prosperity. While betting on horse races is banned in some countries, most people still place wagers on the outcome of a race and enjoy watching the spectacle at the track or at home on TV. However, even with the rise of social media, some people have become concerned that horse races promote gambling addiction and other forms of harmful gambling. Some people have called for a ban on horse races altogether, and others have urged the government to regulate the sport and introduce safeguards for the horses’ welfare.