Horse races are thrilling spectator events where people wager money to see which horse will emerge the victor. Riders specialize in jockeying the horses through races at breakneck speeds that may result in severe injuries and even death for riders and horses alike. One such popular racing event is Triple Crown races; winners receive substantial prize money while many others don’t make it past the finish line, while many scandals have also plagued this sport.
The first documented horse race took place in 1651 as a wager between two noblemen, while its popularity greatly expanded under Louis XIV (1643-1715) who established rules for betting and devised a rating system that assigned different weights depending on a horse’s ability.
Today, horse racing is an industry that thrives on gambling and one of the most beloved forms of entertainment worldwide. Played across multiple countries worldwide, spectators cheer their favorite horse while enjoying gourmet food and mint juleps at the track. But behind its romanticized facade lies an unsavoury reality filled with drugs, breakdowns and slaughterhouses; horses forced to race at high speeds suffer serious injuries and sometimes hemorrhage into their lungs from running too fast while often subjected to whips or electric shock devices for punishment.
Some horses are bred for speed while others for stamina; these horses are collectively known as thoroughbreds and take part in races suited specifically to thoroughbreds such as stakes and handicap races, which sometimes restrict certain breeds or genders from participating; there are even filly/mare races! In order to create an equal playing experience among racers, weight allocation for horses usually exists so as to create an even playing experience across races.
At its heart, horse racing business comprises three groups of people: criminals who illegally drug their horses and condone agent abuse; dupes who believe the industry is broadly fair and honest; and an honorable core who know there’s something amiss but don’t work hard enough to right it. Serious reform for this sport must come from this third category.
In the US, more time and space are devoted to horse race coverage than any other political topic. Critics charge that horse race journalism trivializes politics by turning it into an arena showdown where characters and images become the main focal points. Substance issues become less important. This metaphor could also lead voters down an all-or-nothing path of choosing attractive candidates while overlooking differences on matters of character. Commentators who comment on horse races tend to focus on candidates’ physical attractiveness while neglecting differences in temperament and judgement between candidates. Furthermore, this metaphor reduces politics to a zero-sum game, detracting from its significance as democratic choice.
