Horse races are an important part of a number of cultures around the world, including Greek and Roman chariot racing, Bedouin endurance races in the desert and Thoroughbred horse racing in modern times. These races are not only popular with spectators, but also offer a good source of income for owners and trainers. Despite the many benefits of the horse race, there are several negative aspects associated with this sport, and these include the injuries suffered by horses, the use of drugs and the exploitation of young running horses.
Whether or not one enjoys horse racing, it is hard to ignore the fact that behind the romanticized facade of the Kentucky Derby and other major thoroughbred races lies a cruel world of drug abuse, injuries and gruesome breakdowns. While fans show off their fancy attire and sip mint juleps, horses are forced to sprint at speeds that often lead to catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain hemorrhages and pulmonary bleeding (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage). Pushed beyond their limits, most horses are subjected to cocktails of legal and illegal substances designed to mask injuries and enhance performance.
For the most part, however, trainers, jockeys, exercise riders, owners and breeders genuinely care about their horses. They do not intend to harm them. It is for this reason that it is so distressing to see a video like the one released by PETA and the Times. It is a reminder that there are plenty of people in the racing industry who will say just about anything to downplay or dismiss the allegations, and who continue to participate in the exploitation of young racehorses with impunity.
During a horse race, odds are posted on the horses’ chances of winning. Players place bets on these odds, and if they win, they receive all the money wagered on their horse, less a certain percentage taken out by the track. This is known as the parimutuel system.
A horse’s odds are determined by its previous performances, as well as its current condition and potential for improvement. The most common way to determine a horse’s odds is through a computerized calculation, called the “speed figure,” which is calculated by comparing a horse’s past and current speed figures to those of its competition in previous races. A horse with a faster speed figure than its competition is considered an “overlay.”
While the death of Eight Belles and Medina Spirit was horrific, their deaths were not unprecedented. Unfortunately, they are far from the last examples of young horses dying under the exorbitant physical stress of racing and training, a reality that must be acknowledged before serious reform can take place. This would require a profound ideological reckoning at the macro business and industry level, as well as within the minds of horsemen and women, who must decide if their horses matter enough to take some complicated, expensive and untraditional steps to protect them.