Horse racing is a sport which has been practiced for centuries. Thoroughbred racing is the most popular.

One of the principal forms of horse racing, which is popular in many parts of the world, is thoroughbred racing. Harness racing is also popular in the eastern United States and more popular than thoroughbred racing in Canada and Europe. Quarter horse and Arabian racing are also popular in the western United States and Florida.

The high point of US horse racing has traditionally been the Kentucky Derby which, together with the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, form the Triple Crown.

American betting on horse racing is sanctioned and regulated by state governments, almost always through legalized parimutuel gambling. Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has its own Hall of Fame for horses, jockeys, and trainers.

Racing in Australia has enjoyed great success with races such as the world famous Melbourne Cup, the so-called race that stops a nation, which has recently attracted many international entries.

In Australia, the most famous horse was Phar Lap, who raced from 1928-1932 (though originally bred in New Zealand).

In the United Kingdom, there are races which involve obstacles (either hurdles or fences) called National Hunt racing and those which are unobstructed races over a given distance (flat racing). The UK has provided many of the sport’s greatest ever jockeys, most notably Gordon Richards.

At all official horse races, there is a gambling station, where gamblers can stake money on a horse.