A horse race is a competition in which a group of horses compete against each other. In a horse race, the winner is determined by who crosses the finish line first. Some people bet on individual horses while others place bets on groups of horses, called accumulators.
The sport of horse racing is a global phenomenon. It attracts millions of viewers and generates billions of dollars in wagers. While the sport has many fans around the world, it also has its critics. Some critics say that horse races are not humane and that the treatment of racehorses is cruel. They also claim that the sport has a racist undertone and that it is fueled by gambling.
One of the main concerns that horse race critics have is the use of drugs in the sport. Most racehorses are given cocktails of legal and illegal drugs that mask injuries and enhance performance. This is particularly true for young horses. When a horse is pushed past its limits, it can suffer severe injuries such as broken limbs and hemorrhage in the lungs, which is known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. These conditions are common in the sport of horse racing, and they are a result of the exorbitant physical stress that horses endure while participating in the sport.
While some national horse racing organisations have differing rules concerning how a race should be run, most of these are based on the original rulebook published by the British Horseracing Authority. These rules include a photo finish where a photograph of the race is studied by stewards to determine which horse crossed the line first. In the event that no clear winner can be determined, the results will be settled using dead heat rules.
A new video from PETA has revealed what horse racing insiders have long been complaining about—the mistreatment of top thoroughbred racehorses in training by two highly regarded trainers, Steve Asmussen and Scott Blasi. The footage was taken at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky and Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York, and focuses on two horses in particular.
The Atlantic has written about horse racing for nearly 30 years, covering everything from high school sports to the pros. He does not drink or smoke and seldom places bets on horse races, but he has always been a fan of the game. It is a detriment to the industry that so many people will not watch or bet on races because they are upset by the violent deaths of horses in training or during a race. It is the duty of everyone who loves this sport to take action against those who do not.