A horse race is a sport in which competitors, called runners, compete to be the first across a finish line. Each runner is equipped with a saddle and bridle, both of which are attached to the horse’s head via straps. They are led into a starting gate, which is a set of stalls with their front doors open. Once the horses are all in the gate, someone hits a button and the horses start running.

The first horse to cross the finish line is declared the winner of the race, unless there is a tie. In the event of a tie, a photo finish is used to determine the winner. A photograph of the finish is studied by a panel of stewards and the decision is made. There are many national and international rules governing the way that a horse race is run. These rules vary slightly, but the vast majority of them are based on the British Horseracing Authority’s original rule book.

In order to participate in a horse race, each horse must have a valid pedigree. This is a record of the parentage of the horse, including its sire and dam. The horses must also have a license to race. To obtain a licence, the horse must be inspected by a veterinarian to ensure that it is fit to run.

Horses must be at least two years old before they can race. This is because a young horse does not mature enough to be safe for a sprint, until its bones have fully fused and its growth plates have closed. However, most racing studs begin breeding the horses for the racetrack as soon as they are weaned, and the average 1,000-pound thoroughbred is thrust into intensive training at age 18 months.

The human-induced, unnatural act of a horse race is cruel to the animals. The racing industry claims that horses are “born to run and love to compete,” but that is a misrepresentation. In the wild, horses move naturally and enjoy playing together as a herd, but they are not bred to run fast in a crowd. They are prey animals who want to keep each other safe, not run toward danger.

Pushed beyond their limits, horses will often suffer severe injuries. Their heartbeats increase tenfold in a race from 25 beats per minute to an excessive 250 beats, which can lead to exhaustion and even collapse. Moreover, the horses are given cocktails of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask injuries, induce artificial bursts of speed, and enhance performance. Those who bet on horse races are contributing to this exploitative system and should put their money into other sports that treat the participants as willing athletes rather than abused animals. This year, in honor of the animals who will not be alive for the race, activists have gathered to hold a vigil at the track. They have asked that people instead attend a football match, or any other sports event in which horses are treated like the athletes they are.