The horse race is the name given to a contested competition in which horses are driven at high speeds over a measured distance on a track, jumping hurdles (if present) along the way, and attempting to cross a finish line first. Typically, the first, second and third place finishers receive a certain amount of prize money. The race is usually run by professional jockeys on horses owned by a racing stable.
The practice of horse racing has been criticized as being dangerous to the health of the animals, as well as unfair to bettors and owners. Some horse races have been marred by juicing, whereby horses are illegally drugged to enhance their performance. In the United States, the sport is regulated by the Jockey Club and a number of state laws.
In addition to the rules governing the conduct of the race, there are many other aspects that influence the outcome of a horse race, such as the size and location of the track, the weather conditions, the weights assigned to each racer, and the training of the horses. In order to determine the best racers, the stewards of a race will inspect each horse before the race begins and after it finishes. If any alleged violations are found, the stewards will decide the appropriate penalty.
For centuries, horse races have been a popular sport, attracting crowds of spectators to track sites in cities and towns across the country. But in recent years, the number of fans has fallen sharply, and the sport has come under increasing criticism from animal rights groups, who charge that racehorses are subjected to cruel treatment and that the exploitation of these animals is harmful to society.
The most common causes of injury for thoroughbreds are pulmonary bleeding and ruptured tendons, which occur when the horse’s legs are struck during close racing. One study estimated that about three thoroughbreds die every day in North America from catastrophic injuries. Other serious injuries include pulled tendons and torn suspensory ligaments.
Some critics have suggested that the horse race metaphor has infected politics as a whole, encouraging journalists to cover campaigns as though they were a horse race, with an emphasis on front-runners and momentum. Proponents of this view argue that most voters are interested in who is ahead and behind, and that describing political events with familiar sports language will increase interest in the subject.
A video released by animal rights group PETA has sparked an international outcry over the treatment of racehorses at two of America’s most revered tracks. The video depicts the mistreatment of horses under the care of prominent trainers Steve Asmussen and Scott Blasi. The alleged incidents are reminiscent of similar accusations against racehorse trainers in the past, and have raised concerns about horse welfare in the industry. Among the most significant developments in this controversy is the introduction of new, tougher regulations governing the use of painkillers and sedatives on racehorses.