Horse racing is a sport practiced by millions of people around the world. The history of the game dates back thousands of years, and it features prominently in mythology and culture. The steeds of the gods Odin and Thor battled to determine the fate of mankind in Norse mythology, and in Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria, and Egypt, races were held to honor military victories and civic triumphs.
Today, the horse race is an event of high drama and great social significance. The race is one of the most prestigious events on the calendar, with spectators clad in fanciful hats and finery at major events like Royal Ascot or the Kentucky Derby. Betting is a popular activity, and the winner receives a substantial prize.
At the same time, there is a dark side to the race: horses are often injured and even killed. Some die from the exertion, while others are euthanized after suffering gruesome breakdowns on the track in front of cheering fans. There is no lifetime traceability system for racing horses, so we do not know what happens to the majority of them once they are retired from the track. Many of these animals end up in slaughterhouses, despite the fact that the industry claims to be committed to animal welfare.
In addition to the physical demands of the sport, there is a considerable psychological stress that can come with being a top jockey. The pressure to win is tremendous and can cause many a rider to become despondent when their hopes for victory are dashed. Often, riders are forced to work for large sums of money and to sacrifice their personal lives in order to succeed at the racetrack.
There are also ethical concerns about the treatment of horses. Injuries and breakdowns are common, and horses are frequently drugged in order to make them more competitive. Veterinary care is sometimes substandard, and some trainers use illegal electric shock devices to force horses into submission. These techniques can cause serious injury, but they are widely used in the industry because they produce immediate results.
While some horse races are contested under the same rules, different national horse racing organizations may have their own unique rulebooks. For instance, some countries have a ‘photo finish’ when it is not possible to determine a clear winner by observing the race with the naked eye.
Media scholars have long critiqued the tendency of news outlets to frame elections primarily as a horse race, focusing reporting on two candidates vying for attention in polls and devoting the most positive coverage to frontrunners. This ‘horse race journalism’ hurts voters, candidates, and the news industry itself, as multiple studies have shown. This approach also fails to provide necessary context on key issues such as economic disparity and the growing influence of non-traditional players.