Whether or not you’re an avid horse racing fan, it’s impossible to deny the sport’s enduring legacy and global influence. From its humble beginnings in Greece to modern-day technological advancements and betting options, horse racing has made a significant impact on society.
A horse race is a competition in which horses of varying quality compete against each other over various distances. The first recorded horse races took place in the Greek Olympic Games between 700 and 40 B.C. and the sport soon spread to neighboring countries such as China, Persia, and Arabia. The development of chariot and mounted equestrian racing helped establish the sport as it is known today.
Over time, horse races evolved to include a variety of different distances and corresponding levels of difficulty. Typically, flat races such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Melbourne Cup, Epsom Derby, and Kentucky Derby are run over distances between six and eight furlongs, which are designed to test a horse’s speed and stamina to some degree. Jumps races such as steeplechases are generally contested over longer distances and involve more obstacles to overcome, such as fences and hedges, and require a greater level of skill and fitness on the part of horses and riders.
As technology advances, horse races have also benefitted from a series of major improvements to safety and health measures both on the track and off. For example, thermal imaging cameras help to monitor a horse’s post-race condition, while MRI scanners, endoscopes, and 3D printing can identify a number of minor or potentially serious health issues before they become serious.
In addition, a growing awareness of horse racing’s darker side has resulted in a wide range of reforms. For example, PETA has conducted groundbreaking investigations into abusive training practices for young horses, drug use by trainers, gruesome breakdowns, and the transport of American horses to slaughter in foreign countries.
When journalists cover elections with a focus on who’s leading or behind instead of examining policy issues—an approach known as horse race journalism—voters, candidates, and the news industry suffer, according to an extensive body of research. This updated roundup explores some of the latest work on the topic.