The Horse Race – A Global Phenomenon
The horse race is a sport in which horses compete against each other by running around a track while jumping any required hurdles or fences. The sport is a global phenomenon, enjoyed by millions of people around the world and steeped in rich culture and tradition. Whether for the thrill of bets or the elegance and tradition of events like Royal Ascot, the Kentucky Derby, or others, there is something to draw everyone in.
Historically, a number of different breeds have been used for racing but today’s modern Thoroughbred is the result of a long-term cross-breeding program. Hot-blooded horses with a high heart rate were crossed with native cold-blooded horses to improve their speed and stamina. The first recorded equestrian races occurred in central Asia as early as 4500 BC.
In horse racing, there are two main types of races: flat racing and jump racing. Flat racing occurs on a smooth, grass or dirt horse-racing track without barriers, while jump racing takes place on an enclosed course with obstacles that must be cleared in order to finish the race.
During a race, a jockey mounts a horse and guides it over the course of the race. In order to win, the horse must cross the finish line before any of the other competing horses. In some cases, a dead heat may occur if no one horse is clearly ahead of the rest. In this case, a photo finish is declared.
A number of rules and regulations govern horse racing. These rules determine how the races are run, how many horses can compete in a single race and other issues of importance to the sport. These regulations are set by national and international horse racing bodies.
The history of horse racing dates back thousands of years, with nomadic tribesmen chariot-racing their horses in Central Asia as far back as 4500 BC. The modern sport of horse racing originated in Britain among the aristocracy in the 1600’s, and is now popular across the globe.
While horse racing has a reputation for being an elegant sport, it is in reality a brutal, dangerous game that requires immense physical and psychological stress. The horses are forced to sprint at speeds too fast for their bodies, resulting in frequent injuries and even hemorrhaging from the lungs (known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage).
Spectators at horse races often dress in elaborate hats and sip mint juleps to celebrate the occasion; however, behind the romanticized facade lies a world of exploitation and cruelty. This study aims to explore how key industry and animal advocacy informants conceptualise naturalness within the context of common racing practices that potentially impact the welfare of thoroughbreds. This was achieved using semi-structured interviews and photographic elicitation.
When journalists cover an election primarily by focusing on who’s winning or losing—what’s known as horse-race coverage—voters, candidates and the news media suffer. A growing body of research shows that when journalists frame elections as a horse race, they encourage voters to skip voting, and their stories raise public cynicism toward the policies at stake in any given election.
