Horse racing has long been a beloved spectator sport. Featuring many intricate rules and regulations pertaining to both horses themselves as well as how their trainers must present and train them, and participants’ conduct during races.
One of the most popular methods of wagering money is betting on horses to win, with winning bettors receiving their winnings less a specified percentage taken out by the track (Take Out). Players may also bet on horses to place or show, which means that either first, second or third place must be reached to qualify as successful bets; show bets have lower probabilities of success but often bring higher payoffs than win bets.
Each year in the United States there are over 130 thoroughbred races referred to as stakes races in which winning horse owners put up money as part of a purse prior to starting. Union officials encouraged breeding of thoroughbreds during the Civil War in order to create fast cavalry horses.
Some races are designated Grade 1 races, meaning they represent the pinnacle of their type and offer greater odds for winning than other events. A Grade 1 race is considered an important event that attracts both spectators and bettors; any horse participating must possess both its sire and dam as purebred animals to qualify.
When horses compete, they are guided through the course by a jockey. Their job is to steer them around obstacles safely while staying on course and use whips to urge the animal forward; such whips must adhere to racing regulations so as not to cause pain or injury to animals. Jockeys can also utilize tongue ties, spurs or jiggers as additional ways of controlling their horse and gain an edge against competitors – though such methods are illegal and may still be utilized by some trainers and jockeys.
Steeplechases require riders to mount the back of a horse and jump over hurdles in a specific order in order to complete the race, such as simple logs or tall wooden fences. Most steeplechases in the UK take place during summer.
Palio di Siena, held twice annually on July 2 and August 16 in Siena, is one of the world’s premier steeplechases, pitting riders from seventeen Contrade, or city wards, against each other for prize money awards at this spectacular horse race. Other popular steeplechases events include Grand National and Kentucky Derby as well as Australia where this sport has been practiced for over 200 years.