A horse race is a contest of speed among horses, either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. It is a popular spectator sport, with a strong gambling element.
During horse races, a scorer keeps track of the progress and position of each competitor, using a system of numbers. The winner of the race is awarded a trophy and prize money.
The term horse race is also used to describe a political contest, such as an election. In this case, the contest is compared to a horse race because of its close outcome. The phrase has a long history of use in both the United States and Britain.
While the death of Eight Belles and that of fellow Kentucky Derby champion Medina Spirit sparked a public reckoning with the ethics of horse racing, it is not an unusual occurrence. The exorbitant physical stress of racing and training is known to cause horses to die from heart attacks, broken limbs and other trauma.
Horse races are usually held on a circular course, and the distances range from under two miles to more than four miles (6.4 km). The shortest races are called sprints and are regarded as tests of speed. In contrast, longer distance races are called routes in the US and staying races in Europe, and they are regarded as tests of stamina.
A key issue in many horse races is the amount of weight that a horse must carry to win. This is determined by the handicapping system, which allocates a weight for each horse according to its ability, with allowances given for age, sex, and other factors. The most prestigious races are called conditions races, and they offer the largest purses.
In order to reduce the chance of injury, a wide range of medications and other substances are used in horses for racing. These include corticosteroids, sedatives and a drug called Lasix, which is an anti-inflamatory. It is also an effective performance enhancer. Lasix has been banned in some countries, but its use is tolerated in others.
Despite the proliferation of these drugs and other substances, horse races remain dangerous for both the animals and their human competitors. A number of deaths have been caused by falls and collisions between a horse and other competitors, as well as between a horse and a fence or other obstacle.
The RSPCA advocates that the industry adopt responsible breeding practices to reduce the number of horses bred, minimising the risk of injury and for every horse to be provided with a suitable alternative role upon retirement, including provisions being made to ensure their welfare. We also support the mandatory collection and publication of comprehensive life cycle and injury statistics and the development of a national identification and traceability system for racehorses. Ultimately, we believe that horse racing should be outlawed.