Horse racing is a sport in which horses compete to win money by running around a racetrack. The sport has a long history and is practiced in many cultures around the world. Horses are also well-known for their role in mythology and legend. For example, the god Odin used his steed, Hrungnir, to defeat the giant Gimli.
The classic succession “horse race” involves overt competition for the CEO position among several recognized candidates in a limited time frame, with the winner becoming the next chief executive officer. While some governance observers are uncomfortable with this approach, proponents argue that it has served companies well and encourages a culture of leadership development in which high performers can see a clear path to future roles.
One of the most enduring features of the horse race is its simplicity: Most bettors cheered their horse by its number, such as “Come on, Number Three!” This led to a close identification with a particular horse and its performance, even if they did not know the animal’s name.
Likewise, the classic horse race has a straightforward economic model: The monetary prize for the winner is split among all runners who finished in the top three or five positions. The total amount is known as the purse. The purse is a significant source of revenue for the industry, as it enables many horses to be trained and compete in races without having to be owned by professional owners.
Aside from the monetary prizes, the horse race provides a great deal of entertainment. Spectators in the grandstands enjoy the beauty and power of the horses, as well as the excitement of betting on their favorite horse. The sound of the hooves hitting the track, the crowd’s roar, and the jockeys shouting instructions add to the thrill of the experience.
Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse racing, though, lies a dark side of an industry that ravages the lives of thousands of innocent animals. Whether they die in terrifying accidents on the track, are forced to sprint—often under the threat of whips and illegal electric shock devices—in order to win races, or fail to make the grade and are shipped off to slaughter, these sensitive creatures all too often suffer painfully.
As public awareness of these issues grows, the horse racing industry continues to face mounting pressure to improve conditions for the horses that it exploits. PETA’s groundbreaking investigations of the abuse of young horses, drug use in racing, gruesome breakdowns and injuries, and the transport of American racehorses to foreign slaughterhouses have helped bring about some improvements. However, horse racing is still a multimillion-dollar business that relies on the public’s support to survive. Until the day when horses are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, the industry will continue to lose fans, race days and entries. Until then, it is vitally important to make sure that the horse race is run fairly.