Horse racing is one of the oldest sports. Over the centuries it has evolved from a primitive contest of speed or stamina between two horses to a modern spectacle with massive fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and immense sums of money. But its basic concept remains the same: whichever horse crosses the finish line first wins the race.
There is a reason the sport has remained popular for so long: It’s fun to watch! The thundering sound of Standardbreds vying to pull their driver’s cart across the finish line is exciting and exhilarating. And the thrill of betting on a winner is a real rush.
Despite the fact that racing has been around for hundreds of years, there are still some controversies surrounding it. Many people have been shocked to discover that a horse may be deliberately injured or killed during a race, which is called “doping.” Others are upset that horses are not subjected to the same health and safety regulations as other forms of entertainment, such as movies or concerts.
A horse race is also a term used by some organizations to describe a process for selecting a company’s next leader. This approach to leadership development is based on the notion that companies are most successful when high performers are spotted early and groomed in a succession of critical roles, giving them the competency and seasoning needed to lead the organization. Those who are supportive of the horse race method say that it offers numerous benefits beyond simply choosing the best candidate. Depending on how the competition and final decision are handled, it can also send a message that the board values competition and encourages employees to step up to the challenge.
The reality is that the horse race method has a downside: it can cause disruptions and resentment within the organization. Employees who don’t make it to the top can feel left out or punished, while those who lose their chance of becoming CEO may be discouraged from working at the company and may even leave the business altogether. In addition, the length of the contest can also have a negative impact on company performance.
In the case of a horse race, there are other ways to choose a new CEO, including open interviews, blind selection or the use of outside consultants. But the fact is that if a board is using this type of succession process, it should be aware of the potential drawbacks.
More importantly, it’s time for horse racing to come clean about its role in perpetuating the brutal exploitation of these sensitive creatures. If the industry is to continue to rely on donations from racing fans and gamblers, it should start by acknowledging that it’s part of an ugly system in which 1,000-pound thoroughbreds with massive torsos and spindly legs are forced to run at breakneck speeds and whipped into submission if they don’t win. Unless something is done, the death of Eight Belles or Medina Spirit or Keepthename or Laoban will only be the tip of the iceberg.
