The term horse race is most often used to refer to the sport of thoroughbred racing, which involves riding horses in an attempt to win a prize. The game was invented in the United States and has spread to many countries around the world. The most prestigious horse races in the United States are the Triple Crown races, which consist of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The sport of horse racing is governed by a series of rules that govern everything from the eligibility of horses (based on age, sex and birthplace) to the qualifications of jockeys and the weights they must carry in order to be assigned points during a race.

The main component of a horse’s equipment, the saddle is used to hold a jockey during a race. A good saddle is one that is comfortable for the rider and allows the horse to move freely with little resistance. An uncomfortable saddle can cause a horse to become tense and anxious, which can hinder its ability to run well. A good saddle is also well made, ensuring that it will be durable throughout the course of a race.

During a race, a horse’s jockey can use the stirrups to adjust his or her position on the horse. During the early stages of a race, a jockey will typically have his or her feet in the stirrups to allow the horse to settle into a steady rhythm. As the race progresses, the jockey will gradually move his or her foot in and out of the stirrups in order to get better leverage on the horse as it moves through traffic and makes up ground on its rivals.

A horse that starts the race in a prominent position, generally within a few lengths of the leaders. This is a positive sign, as it suggests that the horse may be able to make up ground throughout the remainder of the race.

A common expression used when a horse is in sharp contention in the late stages of a race, but ultimately fails to respond to the efforts of its rider by either using the whip or urging him on. A horse that is “Empty” might have simply been a better animal on another day, but on this occasion was not good enough to gain a victory.

During the early nineteenth century, demand for public races produced open events that allowed anyone to participate. As the sport developed, new rules were introduced to restrict eligibility based on age, sex and other criteria, such as previous performance, to ensure that the best horses ran against the best competition.

A term to describe a race where the fractional times are slower than normal for a given distance. This can be a result of a number of factors, including: