A horse race is a contest of speed among horses, either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and driven by drivers. The racers compete for victory and the monetary prize that goes to the winner. A number of factors can influence the outcome, including the speed of the horse and its previous performance in similar races. The racers may also be aided by the condition of the track, weather and other factors.
The horse racing sport evolved from a primitive contest of speed or stamina between two horses into an enormous entertainment business that requires vast sums of money and sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment. The basic concept, however, has remained virtually unchanged throughout the centuries: the horse that finishes first is the winner.
As horse races became increasingly popular and public, rules were developed to ensure the fairness of the competition and the safety of the horses. The number of runners was limited, the eligibility criteria were established based on age, sex and birthplace, and betting limits were set. In addition, rules were created to regulate the use of whips and other equine devices that can cause injuries to the animals.
Today, Thoroughbred racing is a multibillion-dollar business that is considered one of the most exciting sports in the world. Spectators wear fancy clothes, sip mint juleps and watch the horses run around the track at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Behind the romanticized facade, however, lies a world of drugs, injury and slaughter.
The horses in horse races are forced to sprint — often under the threat of whips and illegal electric-shocking devices — at speeds that can injure or even kill them. Often, the young horses in peak physical condition break down or collapse and are put down shortly after the race. Younger horses are particularly vulnerable to breakdowns, because they have not yet fully matured and have not developed the strength and stamina of older, more experienced competitors.
A horse’s long and short pastern bones — the bones that connect the fetlock joint to the hoof — are crucial to its performance during a race. A horse with a shortened pastern bone has a tendency to “break stride” or fall off the pace, which can lead to an immediate loss of the race. To avoid breaking stride, many race horses wear hobbles that attach to the feet and restrict the range of motion.
Companies that employ the horse race approach to choosing top executives believe the process can have a number of positive effects. Proponents of the method claim that an overt competition for the role can serve as motivation to all employees in the company, providing them with a clear path to leadership positions. Having several strong candidates to choose from can also demonstrate the board’s faith in management and leadership development processes and that the organization has invested in developing high performers through a variety of functional assignments and stretch opportunities.