Horse races are an ancient and widespread form of competition involving horses ridden by jockeys or drivers, often held at public arenas for spectator viewing. A multitude of factors affect horse races – speed, position relative to an inside barrier, jockey or driver choice and training regiment all come into play; not forgetting health considerations of course which can influence an event’s outcome as well.

The horse race is an ancient form of entertainment which may date back to prehistory. In ancient Greece, four-hitch chariot and mounted racing featured at Olympic Games between 700-40 BC as an organized form of competition; similar forms were common entertainment options throughout China, Persia and Arabia during that era as well.

Modern horse racing is an increasingly popular spectator event that draws millions of fans to its tracks each year. An increasing number of attendees are betting on the outcome of races; with multiple strategies available such as betting to win, place and show or making multiple accumulator bets at the same time.

Many horse racing fans have their favorite horses that they cheer for by name; Seabiscuit was beloved to generations of racing fans. Meanwhile, other fans may prefer following a particular strategy or tactic when betting on races – such as betting only on long shots or placing all bets on one particular winner of an event.

Like other industries, horse racing has been transformed by technological innovations over time. From thermal imaging cameras to MRI scanners, modern racing facilities feature tools designed to keep both runners and trainers safe.

One of the major changes in horse racing has been its shift toward scientific research and data-driven performance, due to a variety of factors such as new drugs being introduced and shifting focus from stamina to speed. Furthermore, using data has allowed more accurate handicapping methods and predicted winners more easily.

Horse racing has long been considered controversial because of its treatment of animals. Although most racehorses cost far less than used cars, their owners often push them past their limits. Natural instincts of horses may also be violated when forced to run at breakneck speeds with humans riding atop them at breakneck speed; animal welfare advocates also have concerns that trainers use performance-enhancing drugs like furosemide (commonly referred to as Lasix) in order to gain competitive edge for themselves or their horses.