The Dark Side of Horse Racing
Horse racing is one of the most famous sports in the world, attracting elite horses, top jockeys, and thousands of passionate fans. But behind the glamorous façade of this multibillion-dollar industry lies a dark side: an underworld of gruesome injuries, drug abuse, and slaughter.
Horses used for racing are forced to sprint—often with whips and illegal electric shock devices—at speeds so fast that they frequently injure themselves and, in many cases, experience a fatal condition known as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). To reduce the risk of EIPH, many horses receive cocktails of legal and illegal drugs, including corticosteroids, diuretics, and performance-enhancing substances, which often cause the horses to lose their balance or buck violently. The stress of the sport also puts tremendous strain on young equines’ immature bones and ligaments, resulting in a variety of conditions such as bone cysts and degenerative joint changes.
Despite the gruesome realities of horse racing, the public remains indifferent to the sport. As a result, horse racing is losing fans and revenue at an alarming rate, and the number of races is decreasing. In a 2011 report, researchers commissioned by the Jockey Club admitted that race days and entries are down, while betting has declined and public interest in the sport is waning. This trend is likely to continue as more and more people become aware of the dark side of horse racing: its prevalence of drug use, gruesome injuries and breakdowns, and the slaughter of thousands of American horses in foreign slaughterhouses.
The most famous horse race in the world is undoubtedly the Kentucky Derby. This annual event is held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky and is billed as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” The Kentucky Derby’s long tradition is a testament to its prestige.
The Melbourne Cup is a 3200 meter (2 miles) long horse race that takes place in the city of Melbourne, Australia. This is the richest horse race in the world and it’s a tradition that dates back to 1861. This race is also a major international sporting event with heavy luxury brand sponsorships.
The history of organized horse racing in North America began with the British occupation of New Amsterdam in 1664. The colony’s commander, Colonel Richard Nicolls, established the sport by laying out a 2-mile racetrack and offering a silver cup to winners. In the years following, speed became more important than stamina, and as dash racing was introduced, a few extra yards in a race was enough to win. As the sport continued to evolve, more and more rules were added to protect the health of both horse and jockey.
