A horse race is an event in which horses compete to win a prize. It’s an adrenaline-pumping, money-making event that puts the skills of both the horse and its rider to the test. Spectators wear lavish outfits and sip mint juleps while they watch the competition. But behind this romanticized facade lies a world of injuries, drug abuse, and gruesome breakdowns. The Melbourne Cup is arguably the most prestigious horse race in the world, with heavy luxury brand sponsorships and a televised audience of 16 million people. But it’s also one of the most expensive. It is estimated that it has a total prize fund of over $3 million, with a record prize of $6.2 million in 2018.
A race is a competitive event held on a fixed course with numbered gates for each entrant. The first horse to cross the finish line is declared the winner, but in cases where there is a tie (e.g., two or more horses cross the line at exactly the same time), a dead heat is declared. A photo finish is another method used to determine a winner, in which a photograph of the race is studied by stewards to determine who crossed the line first.
In flat races, horses are allowed to trot or pace (move their front legs simultaneously with their hind legs on the same side). Only those that can sustain a specific gait for the entire length of the race are considered standardbreds. In order to qualify, a horse must pass a veterinary inspection that ensures it has sufficient energy and hydration levels to complete the race.
During this process, the veterinarian examines the horse for signs of injury or illness and will remove any horse that is unable to continue the race. Afterward, the horse will be held for 40 to 60 minutes until it has recovered enough to be placed back into racing. The veterinary inspection is an important safety measure in the event of an injured or sick horse, as it prevents further injury and loss of time for other horses.
As a result of the growing popularity of horse racing, rules were developed to ensure fairness and safety in the sport. Eligibility rules were established based on age, sex, and birthplace of the horse and on previous performance. Horses are assigned a weight to carry for each race based on their ability to win the contest. These are called handicap races.
The horse’s handlers are also involved in ensuring the animal’s well-being during the race by applying pressure to its body and dragging it on the bit with a lead rope or a jockey’s whip, all while trying to keep the horse at a steady pace. According to animal advocacy informants, this agitation can be extremely stressful for the horse. The tendency of industry informants to present these handling practices as normal and natural demonstrates how consciously and subconsciously the industry participates in its priority project of shaping the public’s perception of thoroughbred racing.