Horse race is a term used in the horse racing industry to describe a process that is meant to prepare a runner for an upcoming race. This typically involves the trainer slowly increasing the intensity and length of exercise to help the runner become conditioned for the race.
During this time, the trainer will also teach the runner to change leads on command. Because North American horse races run in a counter-clockwise direction, it’s important for the runner to be on the right lead during straightaways and the left lead around the turns.
This is a key part of training because it allows the horse to channel its energy throughout the entire race and prevents one side from tiring faster than the other. It’s a highly complex skill for a runner to learn and requires the trainer to be attentive to the runner’s body language. This is why many trainers will not let their horses race until they have the lead change down pat.
The goal of a horse race is to find the best runner for a particular race. However, this can be difficult to achieve because of the number of runners in a given race. To make things easier, trainers will often set a schedule for their horses known as a condition book. This schedule outlines the different types of races that will be held over the course of a few weeks or months. The trainer will then develop a training regimen based on this schedule and work to place their horses in appropriate races.
Although some governance observers and executives are uncomfortable with the classic succession “horse race” model, in which several senior executive candidates compete for a top role within an established time frame, others point to its success at companies such as General Electric and Procter & Gamble. This approach can promote healthy competition, provide a sense of urgency for high performers and help the board choose a candidate that can effectively lead the company through its next challenge.
Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse racing is a cruel, blood-soaked sport in which thousands of animals are forced to sprint — often on performance-enhancing drugs — and then break down at the end of the race. The resulting injuries and psychological trauma leave the animals with little hope of a happy retirement. The few that do make it to the end of their “careers” will be shot, euthanized or slaughtered for their meat. The exploitation of these animals is shameful and should be stopped.