The horse race is an ancient sport that has evolved over the centuries from a primitive contest of speed and stamina to a huge public-entertainment business with massive fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and immense sums of money wagered on each event. Despite these changes, the essential feature of the game remains the same: The first horse to cross the finish line is the winner. Racing is more than a sport to horse people; it’s a cherished way of life. That’s why they welcome oversight to keep participants — both human and equine — safer, and to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.
It’s hard to imagine a world without horse races, but there was a time when the sport wasn’t as popular as it is today. In fact, the race that was considered to be the greatest in history — the Triple Crown, which includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes — took place only twice. In 1973, Seabiscuit stunned the sports world by winning all three events and setting new race records that still stand to this day.
A number of factors have contributed to the decline in horse racing’s popularity. In part, the sport has suffered from a growing awareness that many horses are being secretly doped with performance enhancing drugs. That’s bad for the health of the animals and it is also a deterrent for bettors, who are often turned off by the practice.
Another factor is the increasing competition from gambling on other forms of entertainment, especially online betting. While the racetracks have been working to improve safety, they are having trouble competing with the ease and convenience of gambling from the comfort of a home. As a result, the industry has been losing fans, wagers and race days.
Several famous people have been involved in horse racing, including the presidents of the United States. Andrew Jackson was an avid horseracer who owned racehorses at the Hermitage and operated a stable at the White House. He even fought a duel over a wager, and Ulysses S. Grant loved to ride a sulky and race trotters at the Hermitage and on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.
Aside from being an entertaining pastime, horse racing has been used as a backdrop for a wide variety of movies and TV shows. These films include “A Day at the Races,” “Boots Malone,” “The Black Stallion” and “Dreamer.”
A glossary of terms related to horse racing is provided below. These terms are not intended to be a comprehensive list, but rather a reference for the novice. Some of the more common terms include: