A horse race is a form of close competition that is contested by horses ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies. The term has a long history of usage in the context of political contests, but it seems to be shifting its meaning in recent years.
The modern-day horse race is more than a sport, and it attracts millions of spectators worldwide who come to the track to watch the spectacle. The industry is steeped in storied traditions, and many of these traditions center on the beauty and splendor of the equine. Whether it’s the fancy hats and dresses at events like Royal Ascot, or the mint juleps at the Kentucky Derby, horse racing is a tradition that captivates the world.
But behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse races lies a darker side that involves cruel training practices, injuries, drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. In the end, it’s the horses who suffer — and the horse-racing industry is facing a growing number of critics who are calling for reforms to improve animal welfare.
In the midst of the presidential horse race, with its mudslinging and attack ads, it can be easy to lose sight of the real issues at stake. Nevertheless, this election has provided a prime opportunity for scholars to dig out their favorite catchwords and hackneyed expressions to describe the contest.
Among these, the most common is to frame an election as a horse race. A research team from the University of Oregon examined a selection of print news stories about elections for governor and senator in 2004 and 2008. They found that articles that framed an election as a horse race were most prominent in newspapers with corporate owners and in races between Democratic and Republican candidates.
Another popular horse racing term is to “cross the board.” This bet allows players to place a wager on a runner to win, place and show. If the runner wins, players collect all three prices; if the runner comes in second, players get the Place and Show prices; and if the runner comes in third, players receive the Show price only.
Although a variety of factors have contributed to the declining popularity of horse racing, growing awareness about animal welfare is one reason for this shift. The growing interest in animal welfare issues has resulted in several improvements, including safer track conditions, better veterinary care, and increased penalties for illegal gambling activities. But more is needed to address the broader issue of animal cruelty, which has contributed to racing’s decreasing revenue, attendance, and entries.