Horse races are contests of speed between horses, ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies (driven by harnessed horses called standardbreds). They are often held on public racetracks. They feature betting and other time-honored traditions that evoke images of competition, elegance, and spectacle. They have been practiced in civilizations around the world for thousands of years. Their cultural significance extends to the present day, when they often celebrate national pride and heritage.
The most common type of flat race is a sprint, which is regarded as a test of fast acceleration. Longer distance races, which are known as “routes” in the United States and as “staying races” in Europe, are viewed as tests of stamina. Typically, these longer races are divided into multiple conditions, including stakes races for the highest-quality runners; allowance or optional claimer races, which allow runners to compete at a lower level; and starter allowances for horses that have broken their maiden but aren’t yet ready for a stakes race.
Individual flat races are contested over distances ranging from 440 yards to more than four miles. The most prestigious races are considered to be classics, such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Melbourne Cup, which are run over distances of two miles or more.
A number of different types of betting are available on horse races. A win bet is a wager on the horse to finish first in the race, while a place bet is a bet on the horse to come in second. A show bet is a bet on the horses to finish in the top three, but not necessarily in order. A totalisator is a machine that accepts bets in multiple currencies and calculates the winnings.
Throughout history, racing has been an important part of the culture of many nations. People have gathered to watch and participate in horse races for centuries, in settings that range from small village tracks to grand stadiums. In modern times, horse racing has become a global sport with races taking place in more than 70 countries. It is also an event that provides a social outlet for equestrians of all levels.
The practice of referring to political contests as a horse race has been criticized in the media, where it is sometimes used to diminish the importance of substantive policy issues and to emphasize the personalities and tactics of candidates. Studies suggest that this tendency may contribute to a lack of voter engagement and democratic legitimacy. Journalists may also use the term to justify the disproportionate amount of attention they give to electoral battles between major parties, and to minimize coverage of races with little or no clear winner. This updated roundup of research looks at some of the consequences of this phenomenon. It includes new research on the impact of horse race journalism, as well as previous research that examined the effects of other forms of election coverage.
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