A horse race is a competition between horses that are ridden by jockeys or pull sulkies and their drivers. The sport is steeped in time-honored customs and is a celebration of human and equine spirit. Despite the many hardships faced by the racing industry, it continues to captivate millions of fans around the world. From the storied traditions of major events to the love of the magnificent horses themselves, the horse race remains an integral part of our world.
The word horse race has also become a pejorative term for a close contest, as in the political horse race that is shaping up to be a nail-biter. It has even been used to describe an unruly crowd.
But the real horse race is taking place beneath the surface, where the racing industry grapples with mounting concerns over the welfare of the horses. The industry has responded with a range of initiatives, from better track conditions to more advanced veterinary care. However, critics say that these reforms are insufficient. The death of the racehorse Eight Belles, which collapsed and was put down during the 2008 Kentucky Derby, was a turning point for many animal rights supporters. The not-infrequent injuries of racehorses, combined with the confinement and isolation of these animals, has led to calls for reform and even outright bans on the sport.
For proponents of the sport, those concerns are misplaced. They argue that the money that is spent on a single race stimulates a multibillion-dollar equine economy, from breeders to trainers to farmers who grow carrots and hay for the horses. They point to the enormous purses at places like Yonkers, where winnings are worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Nevertheless, the postmortem examination of Havnameltdown, which was withdrawn from the Preakness after suffering a broken leg, may be alarming to outsiders. It revealed that the horse had bone cysts, a condition in which holes are created in the bones of the legs. It also showed that he had severe degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis and severe cartilage damage in all four of his limbs.
The reluctance to discuss the condition of racehorses is troubling, but it is a symptom of a culture in which profits take precedence over the welfare of the animals that make the sport possible. As the public becomes more aware of the issue, the horse race is likely to face more pressure for change. The question is whether it will be able to rise to the challenge. The earliest evidence for the word horse race in the OED is from before 1586, in the writings of Sir Philip Sidney. See ‘Meaning & Use’ for further information.