Horse racing is a sport that captures the imagination, bringing together millions of fans from around the world who are united by their love of horses and passion for the thrill of watching them run. Despite enduring traditions, including betting, horse races are a fast-changing world with ongoing advances in technology and animal welfare.
A horse race is a competitive contest between two or more thoroughbred horses on a racetrack. The first to cross the finish line wins the race. The contest may be a formal event, with the winner being presented with a trophy, or an informal one, where the runners are not distinguished by name and the outcome is not declared until after all competitors have finished.
Many horse races are a test of speed and stamina, while others require more skill than pure speed such as hurdles or steeplechases (see also Jumping). Horses typically begin training or racing when their skeletal systems have not fully matured and are unprepared to deal with the forces exerted on them when they are competing at high speeds on a hard track. The risk of catastrophic injuries during racing is high, with one study estimating that 3 thoroughbreds die every day in North America as a result of fatal injuries.
Most races are contested over distances of up to four miles (6 km), but the most prestigious flat races are much longer, with some stretching to eight or even ten miles (16 km). In addition, a number of obstacles are placed in the way of the horses, which may vary in height and complexity. The most common obstacle is the fence, which is usually jumped over, or a set of hurdles. Depending on the country and the type of race, some races are also run over a long country trail or a sand track.
While egregious incidents of injury and death in horse racing have been centred in the public discourse, it is important to recognise that these represent only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to animal welfare issues in thoroughbred racing. A number of advocacy informants in our interviews identified routine training and husbandry practices, human-horse interactions and the everyday lives of horses as areas where significant concerns exist.
The word horse race has been used to describe political contests for centuries, and in recent times the phrase has morphed into a metaphor for a close contest between competing interests. As we approach the end of an election campaign, it is perhaps apt that horse race has come to be used as a term for the kind of close contest where anyone could win. Whether the result is a win for Cruz or Trump, this election has been one of the most contentious and exciting in years.
