A horse race is a competition in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a course of obstacles or hurdles faster than the other horses and riders. The first horse to cross the finish line wins the race. The winning horse and rider are rewarded with a prize, often cash or merchandise. There are a variety of different horse races, some of which are more prestigious than others. Some of the most famous horse races include the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. There are also a number of international races that attract spectators and participants.

Despite this, horse racing does not have the same popularity as other sports. According to a poll, only 1 to 2 percent of Americans list horse racing as their favorite sport. The sport has struggled to compete with professional and collegiate team sports for spectators. The decline in interest has been attributed to several factors, including declining economic conditions and a perception that horse racing is only for the wealthy.

There is no one race regarded as the greatest in the history of horse racing, due to the huge amount of variation between the distances and surfaces of thoroughbred flat racing. It also depends on how important a race is. The best way to measure this is by comparing the performances of competing horses. A head-to-head race, for example, can be deemed the most important, such as Grundy and Bustino’s battle in the Eclipse Stakes, which is widely considered to be the finest Flat race ever held.

This was a true clash between the best three-year-olds of their time, and the result made headlines across the world. As the race wore on, Grundy forged ahead, but he could not shake off Bustino, and eventually had to give in by half a length. The race was a fitting end to the career of the legendary Grundy, and it earned the title of ‘The Race of the Century’.

Another great race was Secretariat’s victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes, which secured him the US Triple Crown. He was the fastest horse ever to run a mile and a quarter, and it took him just over two seconds to cover it. The reaction to this win is arguably the most iconic moment in horse racing history.

Another of the most popular horse races is the Grand National at Aintree, which is a spectacular and demanding test of speed, agility, stamina, and jumping ability. It features a wide array of obstacles, such as ditches and fences, and is a grueling test for any horse. The Aintree event also includes a photo finish, where two or more horses cross the finish line simultaneously, making it impossible to determine who won. In these cases, stewards will examine a snapshot of the finish to decide which horse and rider is the winner.