A horse race is more than a sport, a betting enterprise, or an event – it’s steeped in time-honored traditions and an enduring celebration of the human spirit and the equine. A great race is not only a nail-biter, but also an occasion to honor a legendary champion and raise a toast to the thrill of the moment. The greatest races – from Secretariat to Mandarin, from the Belmont Stakes to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – are legendary because of their settings and context, not because of any particular metric or performance.
Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred racing lies a world of drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns and slaughter. In the midst of all this, horses are forced to run for their lives, often at speeds that cause injuries and hemorrhage in their lungs. But they are not alone in their struggles.
In addition to the physical pain of racing, these animals are subjected to a plethora of psychological pressures, ranging from fear of being abandoned by their owners to fears that they will be injured or killed in an accident. The result is a high number of breakdowns and deaths, as well as the use of illegal electric shock devices.
The symbiotic relationship between horses and humans is at the heart of horse racing, but not all horse lovers are equal. While some embrace the sport for its tradition and elegance, others are more concerned with the welfare of the animals. A growing group of animal rights activists are highlighting the cruelty and abuse inflicted on horses for the sake of a few minutes of glory.
Among these is the idea of naturalness, which pervades breeding regulations and influences handling and training practices. It is also at the heart of how fans and punters conceptualise a great race.
A few months ago I watched the final flight of a classic European hurdles race. It was a thrombotic showdown between Monksfield and Sea Pigeon, both of whom had won their previous races in the Championship Hurdle series. Monksfield took a lead heading into the last flight, but Sea Pigeon had the advantage of a clear run.
A sloppy track is one that has some moisture, but is not wet enough to be considered muddy. A good track is a bit wet, but still faster than a sloppy track. In the United States, a horse is said to be “on” when he is at odds of less than even money. In England, this is known as being “on the nose”; hence a horse ‘on 5-4’ is expected to win. An “inquiry” is a claim of foul made by a rider or patrol judge. It is then reviewed by an official to determine whether there has been a rule violation. The result is then announced by the officials and flashed on the tote board. Term also used to refer to a runner who is carrying more weight than his past performance indicates he should.