Horse races are a popular spectator sport featuring fast horses, skilled jockeys and fervent crowds. The sport is distinguished by the prestigious stakes races, which offer significant prize money.
The classic succession “horse race” pits two or three senior executives against each other in a competition for the top job that lasts until one is anointed as chief executive officer (CEO). Some governance observers and executives are uneasy about this approach, fearing that protracted contests can lead to business stagnation. But companies that employ this technique find that it can produce an exceptional leader.
In the past, horse racing was a common activity that took place along city streets and village lanes. Fifteen to twenty riderless horses were set loose on a long, straight city street and were allowed to run the distance. The first to cross the finish line won the race.
As the sport progressed, horse races were organized in a number of ways, including in oval tracks and on open courses. Two distinct types of horse racing emerged—flat racing and jump racing (also known as steeplechasing or National Hunt flat racing in Great Britain and Ireland). Flat racing takes place on a dirt track with a grass surface. In the United States, the most prestigious races take place at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.
In flat racing, the horses gallop directly between two points around a racetrack. The horses may be either bred to race or purchased from the public. The most prestigious flat races in the world are the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Melbourne Cup.
Jump racing takes place over obstacles and requires the horse to leap over them. A horse that wins a jump race is referred to as a champion. A championship in this type of racing is a major achievement for both the horse and its trainer. The horses that win a championship in this type of racing usually receive substantial prizes for their accomplishments, and the prestige of winning can increase a horse’s value as a breeding stock.
A horse’s ability to travel long distances is determined by the abundance of slow twitch muscle fibers, which allow muscles to work for extended periods and provide endurance. Arabians and Thoroughbreds have these muscle fibers, which are different from the faster twitch muscle fibers of Quarter Horses.
Other factors that affect a horse’s performance in a race include weather conditions and the condition of the track. Tracks that have been recently rained are often difficult for horses to navigate and slow their speed. On the other hand, dry tracks can be conducive to a quick and competitive race. In addition to weather and track condition, the skill of the jockey and his or her judgment are crucial in a successful race. The winner of a horse race is the first horse to reach the finish line, indicated by a pole with a white center and red outline. The jockey must maneuver his or her mount to the best position in order to maximize the horse’s chances of success.