Horse racing is one of the oldest sports, and it has evolved from a primitive contest of speed or stamina between two horses into a spectacle that involves large fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and enormous sums of money. Nevertheless, its basic concept remains unchanged: the first horse to cross the finish line is the winner.
Whether you are a fan of the sport or not, there is no denying that it has had a major impact on culture and history, including the establishment of the Triple Crown series (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes). Although it has changed greatly over the centuries from a diversion for the leisure class to a multibillion-dollar business, it remains a thrilling and engaging experience that has stood the test of time.
The eleven horses filed out of the starting gate and moved into the sun, their movements lit by a deep, pinkish light that shimmered off the track. War of Will, that year’s Preakness champion, took the lead around the clubhouse turn, with Mongolian Groom and McKinzie close behind him. As the race wore on, it was obvious that War of Will was fading.
A few yards in a race can be huge, especially in a sprint race where every second counts. The rider’s skill and judgment is critical in coaxing that advantage from his mount. A rider who can get his horse to move faster in the late stages of a race is known as a closer, and a jockey who wins races regularly is called a top-notch rider.
Races are often conducted over a variety of distances, from less than a mile to as long as three miles. They are typically divided into furlongs, which measure one-eighth of a mile (220 yards/660 feet). The term “closer” refers to a horse who runs faster in the later stages of a race and is able to catch up to the leaders.
To qualify to race, a horse must have a pedigree that includes both the sire and dam of the animal. The dam’s pedigree is also examined to ensure that she can produce foals that are fast and healthy.
Horse racing is an industry where many of the horses are bred and trained to be raced at too young an age, which can cause serious injuries. These injuries require expensive care, and too many horses end up being put down as a result. Activists like Patrick Battuello, who leads the organization Horseracing Wrongs, call this the Big Lie of horse racing. Donations from industry folks and gamblers are essential to support the work done on behalf of these abused animals, but it will take a profound ideological reckoning on the macro business and industry level and within the minds of horsewomen and men to change the way that racing is run in the future. It will mean reorganizing the industry to prioritize the health and welfare of the horses at every step of the process—from breeding through aftercare and integrating a more natural and equine friendly lifestyle into the racing environment.