Horse racing is a sport that requires tremendous skill and endurance. It has a long and distinguished history, having been practiced in civilizations across the world since ancient times. Archaeological records indicate that races have been held in Ancient Greece, Rome, Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. It also plays an important part in myth and legend, such as the contest between the steeds of Odin and Hrungnir in Norse mythology.
The earliest horse races were match contests between two or at most three horses. Pressure from the public eventually produced events with larger fields of runners. Eligibility rules were developed based on age, sex, birthplace, and previous performance. Rules were established that required a minimum number of races before horses could enter a specific event. Some races were restricted geographically to a township or county and others were open to any horse who had not won a specified amount.
In addition to the rules that govern the race, there are also regulations governing the treatment of horses during training and at the track. These include a prohibition on the use of drugs that may impair a horse’s ability to run, as well as an obligation to provide a sufficient number of veterinarians at each track to be able to respond quickly to any emergency situation.
Many racing fans are unaware that a significant number of horses die each year at racetracks and training facilities. The website Horseracing Wrongs has compiled data from state racing commissions that indicates at least 10,311 horses were killed on U.S. tracks and training facilities between 2014 and 2016. This figure does not include unreported deaths, or those that occurred before 2014.
The vast majority of these horses, which are almost always Thoroughbreds, were healthy and had no ill-health issues at the time of their death. Most were not injured, and the majority of those who were did not have any prohibited drugs in their system. The deaths of these horses are not only tragic, but they are a clear sign that the industry needs to change its practices in order to be more humane and to keep the public interested in the sport.
It is important to remember that horse racing is not just a sport; it is an industry that relies on the breeding, training, and racing of young animals to generate revenue. Despite claims that the sport is improving, there are still serious problems, including overbreeding and the transportation of countless American horses to foreign slaughterhouses. Growing awareness of these issues has prompted improvements, but more is needed.
In 2008, the trainer of a champion thoroughbred racehorse boasted publicly about using an illegal drug that made his horse run faster. This “legal” steroid, which was withheld before the Belmont Stakes, caused the horse to suffer from severe injuries and died shortly thereafter. Since then, numerous other horses have been severely injured and even killed in the United States, but the industry continues to rely on a combination of legal and banned drugs to attract fans and make money.
