A Closer Look at the Horse Race Industry

A horse race is a sport steeped in long-standing traditions and has captivated spectators around the world with its unique fusion of speed, strategy, and stamina. While the grandeur of the world’s top races has enthralled millions over the years, a closer look at the horse racing industry reveals a multi-billion dollar industry rife with drug abuse, injuries, and even race fixing. These factors have contributed to an alarming number of horses’ deaths at racetracks and training facilities.

Often described as an art form, the sport of horse racing has been around for centuries and is one of the oldest sports in existence. Evidence suggests that mounted and chariot racing was part of ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, and Egypt. It wasn’t until the 17th and 18th century, though, that horse racing began to take on a more formal structure. This is when King James I established Newmarket as a mecca for steed breeding and racing, solidifying the sport’s foundation.

The sport continues to attract a global audience, drawing thousands of fans to tracks in a myriad of cities and countries to watch the spectacle of cultural festivities and high stakes wagering. The thrill of the races is heightened by the fact that each race’s outcome is completely dependent on the skill and judgment of the jockey riding the winning horse. There are a few different ways to place a bet on the outcome of a race, but parimutuel betting is by far the most popular. The winner of the race receives all money wagered on the horse, less a percentage taken out by the track (Take Out). The rest is distributed to other bettors.

While most horses are trained to run at a breakneck pace on hard-packed dirt, they are not born for such an unnatural environment. Their skeletal systems are not fully matured when they begin racing, which makes them unprepared for such an intense, physical activity. Injuries are common, with studies suggesting that one or more thoroughbreds die each day in North America during races. This is in addition to the countless animals who are slaughtered for their flesh.

While many of these horses are bred and raised with the best of intentions, they are subjected to a system that is often cruel and exploitative. The only way to truly act in the best interests of these animals is a profound ideological reckoning at both the macro business and industry levels that puts the horses first at every stage of the process, from breeding sheds through aftercare. That would mean complex, expensive, and untraditional steps that prioritize the horses’ health and well-being. Otherwise, horses will continue to die in the millions at racetracks and training facilities, with their bodies ending up in slaughterhouses around the globe. This must change. The world must stand up and say that these beautiful creatures matter. The time to act is now.