Horse racing is more than a sport-it’s an industry steeped in time-honored customs that capture the human and equine spirit. The sport has a long history of competition, elegance, and spectacle. From the ancient chariot races to today’s dazzling equestrian events, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this unique combination of skill, endurance, and elegance.
The most common and popular wager in the United States is a straight bet, which involves placing a bet on each individual race. In some cases, it is possible to make a combination bet that includes multiple horses in one race. A winning combination is known as a “set.”
The bridle is a set of leather straps that fit around a horse’s head connecting the mouth bit and the reins so a jockey can control his mount. A horse that travels through a race without having to be asked to speed up is said to be on the bridle. A horse that wins a race for the first time is also referred to as breaking its maiden.
A claiming race is a type of horse race that provides class relief for runners who aren’t quite fast enough to compete at higher levels. The purpose of this is to create a balance between risk and reward for all participants. The horse that wins a claiming race may receive a large amount of money, but it also runs the risk of being claimed by another owner.
SPRINT RACE: A race that is run at less than a mile, usually with only one turn. The most common length of a sprint race in the United States is 1/4 mile.
CLASS RAISE: A type of credit that allows a horse to carry more weight than other horses in the same race. This can be given to fillies and mares, or to other male or female horses that are deemed suitable for the distance of the race.
SPIRAL FRACTURE: A fracture that spirals around the bone, most often in the ankle joint of a leg or hock. The most common causes of a spiral fracture are excessive riding or jumping.
GAME TRAILER: A racetrack vehicle equipped with cameras, audio equipment, and other necessary gear to film a horse race. Game trailers follow the action in order to provide footage for news, sports, and betting coverage of a race.
CHAMPION: A horse that has won a particular race series or event. A champion horse has qualified for a special bonus payout.
A stall walker is a horse that spends most of its time in its stall, fretting and moving about rather than resting. This can cause stress, and it is sometimes a sign of ill health.
Although injury and death on the track and the use and overuse of medication are some of the most recognizable and publicized issues in thoroughbred racing, animal advocacy informants have noted that these problems represent just the tip of an iceberg. Many of the most concerning welfare issues relate to routine training and husbandry practices and human-horse interactions.