Horse racing is a global sport, and the sport is constantly evolving. New races, new breeds, and new betting systems are constantly bringing in new fans. The sport has a rich history as well, with records showing that it has been practiced since ancient times in Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria, and Arabia. It has become one of the most popular spectator sports in the world, with over two billion people watching or wagering each year.
The greatest race, however, requires more than just a large crowd and a great track. A great race must involve a truly great horse. Whether it’s Secretariat’s record-setting victory in the Belmont Stakes or Arkle’s annihilation of a field in the 1964 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, these are the races that can elevate horses from simple greatness to immortality.
Until recently, the Triple Crown – Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes – was the only race that truly tested a horse’s limits. Now, the sport has expanded to include international competitions such as the Dubai World Cup and Breeders’ Cup. These events feature the finest horses from local and international breeding programs, attracting a worldwide audience.
It has also diversified in terms of betting methods, with parimutuel wagering (where the winning bettors split the pool) and advance-deposit parimutuels allowing players to place bets months before the race. In addition, many horse races are broadcast live on television.
While the sport’s popularity and profile has grown, horse racing remains a dangerous and brutal pursuit for its runners. Injuries are common, and even a slight bump can knock a horse off balance and lead to serious injury or death. Often, these injuries are caused by the use of drugs designed to mask injuries and enhance performance.
Many of these medications are legal. Painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and growth hormones are all commonly used on racehorses. Until recently, the sport’s officials couldn’t keep up with the use of new substances, and penalties for violations were weak.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that horses are forced to run beyond their physical limits. In the process, many horses bleed from their lungs, a condition known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. To avoid this, many horses are given cocktails of illegal and legal drugs, including Lasix and Salix, a diuretic with performance-enhancing properties.
A minority of horsemen and women – the feral ones, you might say – refuse to acknowledge or care about their mistreatment, but the far-too-silent majority must give it all to preserve a truly great sport. That’s why serious reform is so important.