Horse racing is a thrilling sport that has captivated people from around the world for generations. While the sport still maintains its storied traditions, including ceremonial pageantry and an intense competition that pits the best against the rest, it has also evolved to keep pace with technological advances. From enhanced track safety to veterinary innovations, the industry is continually working to better protect its stars.
One of the most important aspects of horse racing is building up a runner’s fitness and endurance. To do this, trainers will gradually increase the intensity of the runner’s exercise by increasing the distance of the work and the speed at which it is done. This is called “breezing.” Eventually, the runner will be asked to breeze for a set period of time. A breeze is a more vigorous workout and can help determine the level of conditioning a runner has.
The training of a horse to race involves many complex factors. The horse must learn to run around a track, to channel their energy effectively and to change leads on cue. It must also learn to jump over a barrier without damaging itself and to be ridden safely by a jockey. In addition, the runner must be able to deal with the physical demands of running at high speeds, as well as cope with the heat and cold.
Injuries are a common occurrence during races, and even with the latest technological advancements, horses remain at risk of serious injury. According to one study, an average of three thoroughbreds die every day in North America because of catastrophic injuries sustained while competing.
For those horses who do make it to the end of their careers, there is rarely a happy retirement. They will be sold for breeding or used as a show animal, and in some cases will be slaughtered for meat.
As the election approaches, political reporters may be gearing up to parse poll data and speculate on who is leading at any given moment. This practice, which critics call horse-race journalism, has long been a subject of criticism from scholars who study media and politics.
In this week’s installment of our series “Spotlight on College News,” Poynter senior reporter Annie Aguiar takes the term out for a spin to ask actual horse-race journalists what they think.
We all have an opinion about whether or not horse-race journalism is a bad thing, but the reality is that a lot of people don’t understand what it means to be a horse-race journalist. We talk to real horse-race journalists to find out what it takes to do the job well – and why it’s such an important part of our culture.