What is Horse Racing?
Horse racing is a popular sport in which horses are bred and trained to compete in running events. The sport has a rich history, and it has been practised in civilizations throughout the world for thousands of years. It is a global industry with a diverse range of traditions, from the ceremonial pageantry of major races to the betting systems that reward winners (parimutuels). The sport’s future will be defined by the balance between tradition and change, including advances in animal welfare.
During horse races, horses are ridden by jockeys and guided around a course over obstacles, which may be hurdles or turns in the track. A race is completed when the winning horse crosses the finish line first, and the jockey receives a prize depending on the type of race. In addition, some horses are given a weight allowance based on their previous performance in a specific category of races (conditions races).
The race is usually divided into several stages. Each stage is usually run over a distance of three to five miles. The most important stage is the final stage, which is often called the “Grand National”, the biggest event of the season. It is a four-mile marathon, and the winner wins a large sum of money, and usually a place in the history books of horse racing.
In addition to the physical challenge of a race, horses are subjected to mental and behavioural stressors. This can be caused by the racing environment, the human handling of the horses, and the use of equipment such as whips. The sensitivity of horses to these stressors means that they can become anxious, or even distressed, without warning. This can lead to a number of health and welfare issues, including injury or death.
A horse race is a competitive game, and winning bettors earn all the money wagered by losers after a deduction by the track (Take Out). Wagering on horse races has been an integral part of the sport since its beginnings. While a bet on the winner is a standard form of wagering, there are also more complex bets that can involve multiple horses or combinations of bets.
The horse is the enduring symbol of horse racing, and it is a powerful image in the world of sports. The image of a horse race is used by sports teams to promote their brand, and it is also a symbol of national pride, as seen in events like the Melbourne Cup or the Kentucky Derby. Horses are also prominent in myth and legend, for example, the contest between the steeds of Odin and Hrungnir in Norse mythology. The industry’s emphasis on sanitising the visual of the sport reflects a desire to project an image of the sport as normal and natural. However, this approach undermines trust in the industry and thus its legitimacy. As a result, the industry is resisting calls for greater transparency and refocus of its priority projects [121]. This approach to censorship can be compared to how digital image editing tools function to hide certain aspects of a scene.