The roar of a crowd and the flash of tail feathers are part of what makes horse races such a spectacle to behold. But what most spectators do not see is the enduring suffering of the animals in the race. Their bodies are pushed to their limits, they are whipped into submission, and end each race sweaty and exhausted with debilitating injuries – if they survive.
The sport’s dark side has gotten a lot of attention recently due to PETA’s investigations into abusive training practices for young horses, the use of drugs with performance-enhancing properties and the transport of many American racehorses to slaughterhouses abroad. This growing awareness has fueled criticism of the industry and threatened to bring it to its knees, with a decline in attendance, racing days, wagering and entries.
But there is still hope for the sport: increasing awareness of its dark side can lead to reforms that will make the sport more attractive to betting fans and reduce its dependence on gamblers, who can place their money at a number of other venues where gambling is legal. And it can also encourage the development of new and innovative technologies to improve racing’s image and competitiveness.
One of the most popular forms of horse racing is called a handicap race, where the racing secretary assigns weights designed to equalize each entrant’s chances of winning. Handicap races are run at many different tracks and at all levels of competition, from neighborhood handicaps to the Kentucky Derby. To calculate a horse’s chance of winning a handicap race, the handicapper studies its past performance and the form of other competing horses to come up with a figure.
The most famous handicap race is the Kentucky Derby, which takes place every May at Churchill Downs. The race is broadcast on a variety of media platforms, from television to livestreaming, and is attended by millions of people. The horse’s owner pays an entry fee for the chance to win a share of a prize pool – known as a purse – that is determined by the number of bettors that choose the winner.
Another famous race is the Dubai World Cup, which is held every December at the United Arab Emirates’ eponymous race course. It is the richest horse race in the world and draws a crowd of thousands to the track. The event features a race for horses that are bred to win and trained by top jockeys.
The race has a reputation for being dangerous for both the horses and the jockeys, with some riders being killed or injured each year. But it is not as dangerous as the renowned Il Palio, which has taken place in the main square of Siena, Italy since 1633. Jockeys ride bareback, gallop their horses at breakneck speed, and are cheered on by crowds of frenzied spectators who are encouraged to bribe the fantini (fanciers) with whips or even their fists.