Horse racing evolved from a primitive contest of speed or stamina between two horses into an international sport that attracts millions of fans and offers immense sums to the winners. But the basic concept of the race, in which the first horse to cross the finish line wins, has remained essentially unchanged over the centuries.
Horses were once trained for endurance and for jumping, but modern racehorses are bred solely for speed. They are forced to run at unnaturally high speeds and are subjected to exorbitant physical stress during their careers. The result is a high incidence of catastrophic breakdowns, fractured legs, and other serious injuries.
In addition to the rigors of racing, horses are often subjected to a cocktail of legal and illegal drugs that are used to mask injuries, enhance performance, and make the horses more likely to win. The drug Lasix (pronounced lay-sis) is given to all racehorses to prevent exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, or bleeders. Many runners also suffer from a condition called laminitis, in which the hoof wall weakens and the fetlock joint becomes dislocated. The condition is most common in older horses.
During the race, stewards and patrol judges observe the progress of the horses from various vantage points around the track. The stewards look for rule violations, and the patrol judges watch the horses’ finishing position to decide the winner. The stewards also take saliva and urine samples from the winning horses to check for banned substances.
A race may be shortened or lengthened depending on the custom of the country in which it is held. British races, for example, are usually a distance of 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers). American races began to be standardized in the 1750s with heats that were reduced to 3 miles (5 km).
Before the start of a race, officials place numbered balls in a hat to determine the starting position of each horse. The horses are led to the starting gate, which is electrically operated at most tracks. The race is conducted over a smooth, lightning-fast course that is usually covered in sand or crushed stone.
When the race is over, the stewards announce the results. The horses are then led to the weighing barn, where they are weighed for carrying the correct amount of weight and examined for any claims of rule infractions made by jockeys. The horses’ legs are also examined for any signs of injury.
Donations from race fans and gambling enthusiasts are essential to the survival of racing, but they cannot replace a well-funded industry-sponsored wraparound aftercare solution for all retired running horses. Without it, horses like Eight Belles and Medina Spirit and their countless counterparts will continue to die from the exorbitant stress of racing and training. Let’s not forget the tens of thousands of other racehorses who do not have that luxury.