A horse race is a competition in which horses are driven by jockeys or pulled by sulkies. The equestrian sport draws on a wide range of disciplines and traditions, from the classic flat races such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to steeplechases, where the horses are expected to jump obstacles while running. The sport is an important part of the economy, with more than $36 billion contributed by the industry in 2023. It is also a source of national pride and entertainment, with crowds gathering to watch the big events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Fashion is a major element of the experience, with spectators dressing in elaborate hats and dresses.

While the racing industry claims that horses are “born to run and love to compete,” the reality is that the bred for a very different purpose. The massive, slender thoroughbreds that make up the bulk of the racing population are not designed for long-distance endurance. They do not reach full maturity until age 6, and are thrust into intensive training at 18 months. This is the rough equivalent of a human athlete being forced to compete at age 2 or 3.

The physical demands of horse racing are even more demanding than other sports. Many of the most popular racehorses are injured or killed at a young age, and few ever live out their natural lifespans. The most common injuries are fractures, torn tendons, and degenerative joint changes caused by excessive exercise and improper shoeing. The injuries can be devastating for the horses and their owners, causing them to lose their value as racehorses or to be euthanized.

In addition to preparing the horses physically, trainers must teach them how to channel their energy effectively throughout the race. A key element is learning to change leads, or which leg to extend during each phase of the race. Racing takes place in a counter-clockwise direction, so the horses need to learn to lead with the right leg when they are running straight and to lead with the left when they are rounding the turns. A horse that carries a single lead for the entire race can become exhausted very quickly, so it must be able to switch leads on command.

The way that the media cover political campaigns and elections has a lot in common with horse-race coverage, according to a recent study by Johanna Dunaway and Regina G. Lawrence of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. The researchers looked at more than 10,000 newspaper stories covering elections for governor and U.S. Senate in 2004, 2006, and 2008. They found that corporate-owned newspapers were more likely to frame the campaigns as a horse race, with reporters endlessly parsing poll data and statistics to speculate who was up or down in the standings. The hysterical reaction of Secretariat’s Triple Crown win in 1973 is often used as an example of horse-race coverage in the press.