A contest of speed between horses ridden by jockeys or pulled by drivers. The practice of horse racing dates back to ancient times, and has been a significant part of human culture in civilizations throughout the world. It is a sport that has many complex rules and regulations and is often highly profitable for the participants.
The term horse race is also used to refer to a close form of competition in any field, including business or politics. It is a popular analogy that has been in use since the 19th century and continues to be widely used in modern language.
The contest of power and influence between political leaders, for example, is often referred to as a horse race. This can be a positive thing, as it gives the public a sense of competition and choice and may motivate political leaders to work harder in order to win the election. However, it can also be a negative thing because the mudslinging and name calling that often goes along with a political horse race can obscure the real issues at stake.
Horse races are competitive events that draw thousands of people to the track every year to witness the spectacle of thoroughbreds running at high speeds. These races are not easy for the horses, and they often suffer from injuries and gruesome breakdowns. The drugs that are administered to the horses in an attempt to mask their injuries and increase their performance can be dangerous for them, and many horses will bleed from their lungs during a race (exertional pulmonary hemorrhage).
For the most part, the horses are trained to run as fast as they can so they can win the prize money offered by the track. This means that they are pushed beyond their limits and are subject to cocktails of illegal and legal drugs that can make them more likely to break down or become injured during the race. Some of these drugs, such as Lasix, are known to cause pulmonary hemorrhage in horses.
Although some racing fans are still drawn to the excitement of a horse race, many are disillusioned by its brutality and question the legitimacy of the results. In fact, the gruesome breakdown of Seabiscuit has raised questions about the safety of the sport. The fact is that behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred racing is a world of drug abuse, injuries, and slaughter. Even the most dedicated supporters of horse racing will be hard pressed to ignore this reality.
