A horse race is a contest of speed and stamina between two horses that may be accompanied by jockeys and other support personnel. It is one of the oldest sports and has been practised in civilisations around the world for centuries. The race may have developed from a primitive competition between a few runners to a huge public spectacle with a huge business component, but its essential feature remains the same: whoever finishes first wins the race.
The term horse race has become a common metaphor for a competitive situation in many types of activities, from politics to a sporting event or a contest that could involve any type of close competition. It is especially popular when used in relation to a political contest because of the mudslinging, name calling and attack ads that characterise most campaigns.
While a political horse race may seem to be a chaotic and messy affair, there are ways in which it can be analysed and understood. In recent years scholars have begun to study the impact of a particular type of news coverage on political contests, known as horse race journalism. This involves the use of statistical analysis to present polling data in terms of probabilities that a candidate will win a race.
There are some who think that horse race reporting contributes to the decline in voter turnout, particularly among young people, by encouraging cynicism of politics and political elites. The researchers also found that this type of reporting gives a greater advantage to Democratic and Republican candidates, while harming third-party candidates and reducing the likelihood that a minority candidate will win.
It is widely acknowledged that horse racing has a high rate of injury and death. The sport can be grueling for the animals involved, and they must be trained to outrun opponents. The lower legs of horses in particular are subject to a tremendous pounding, straining ligaments, tendons and joints. Many of the injuries are caused by collisions between rivals or by falling.
In addition to the physical demands of racing, horses are often treated with drugs. In the early 19th century, trainers experimenting with new methods of increasing their horses’ endurance began to use cocaine and other narcotics. The Romans used a mixture called hydromel to help their horses run faster. Eventually the United States became a leader in developing the use of legal and illegal performance-enhancing substances for thoroughbreds, including such ingredients as strychnine, caffeine and cocaine.
The race may be a long distance or short, and sprints are generally seen as tests of speed while longer races are regarded as tests of stamina. Individual flat races are usually run over a range of distances from 440 yards (400 m) to more than four miles (6 km), although races shorter than two miles are quite rare. The most prestigious races, such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Melbourne Cup, are held over distances in the middle of this range.
