Horse racing is one of the oldest of sports. It has evolved from a primitive contest of speed or stamina between two animals into a vast spectacle involving many horses and sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment. But it has not changed its basic concept: A horse that finishes first is the winner.
In recent years, growing awareness of the dark side of the sport has prompted improvements. But it is still a dangerous sport, where horses die routinely from injuries and breakdowns and in the slaughter pipeline in Mexico and Canada. It is also a sport where drugs are rampant. It was recently reported that more than a quarter of the top 50 trainers in America have been sanctioned for doping.
The most famous race in the world is the Kentucky Derby. Hundreds of thousands of people watch it live on TV, millions more around the globe tune in online and millions more buy tickets. It is a spectacle, but it is also a contest of speed and endurance between horses that puts them under exorbitant physical stress. During the time leading up to this year’s Derby, Eight Belles and Medina Spirit both died from heart attacks, and several other horses were injured or broke down during training. The deaths of these champions sparked a reckoning about the ethics and integrity of American horse racing that continues as we approach this Saturday’s race.
In a typical race, horses are given a certain amount of weight to carry for fairness and handicapping purposes. This is the main factor that influences a horse’s performance, but a lot of other factors can also impact the outcome of a race. These factors include the position of a horse in relation to the inside barrier, its sex, and its age.
Another important factor in a horse’s performance is its ability to run fast. Running fast comes naturally to thoroughbreds, but they need to be trained to outrun their opponents. Some need to be encouraged by a whip, which sucks blood and strains ligaments, tendons, and joints. The lower legs of racehorses, especially on oval tracks, take a beating, too, and many need to be reinforced with bandages or tape.
A good racehorse will be in peak condition for the day of the race, but even a perfect preparation can end badly. The trainer’s job is to get the horse in the best possible shape for the race and for the circumstances on the track. One key part of this is the condition book, which sets out the races a trainer will focus on for a period of time, usually a few weeks or a month.