Horse races are events in which thoroughbred horses compete against each other at a racetrack. They are often run over distances of up to two miles (3.2 km). Some of the most famous races in the world are sprint races that test the horses’ speed, while others test their stamina.
The most well-known horse race is the Kentucky Derby, which takes place every year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The first Derby was held in 1875 and is credited to a British army officer named Colonel Richard Nicolls, who established the first organized racing in America. Nicolls also laid out the two-mile oval track at the racetrack, creating a sport that has become the most popular form of entertainment in the United States.
In addition to being a great source of entertainment, horse racing has a number of positive social impacts. The industry supports thousands of jobs and is a significant contributor to the economy, particularly in rural areas. In addition, the sport provides a source of funding for horse-related charities. Despite these positive social effects, the sport has its negative aspects, such as injuries and deaths of horses in training and during races.
Another problem is that the sport has a tendency to glorify itself. The image of a snazzy jockey on a gorgeous mount, dressed in the latest fashion and sipping mint juleps is an appealing one that can give a false impression of a sophisticated and socially conscious sport. However, behind this glamorous facade is a dark and dangerous reality of drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and death. Horses routinely die from catastrophic heart failure and broken limbs during the exorbitant physical stress of running, and many do so in full view of spectators who cheer them on.
Some people also object to the way in which the industry treats the horses who participate in the races. For example, some horses are deprived of food and water to make them more competitive, while others are subjected to harsh physical training methods that include whipping. Moreover, the horses are forced to run at such high speeds that they can sustain injuries and even hemorrhage from their lungs.
The sport has tried to address some of these issues by adopting more humane treatment, but the problems remain. The best solution would be a profound ideological reckoning at the macro business and industry level to prioritize the welfare of racehorses. This would involve a major restructuring of the sport to ensure that it is equine friendly, from breeding and training to aftercare.
A recent study found that media coverage of political elections tends to focus on two candidates vying for the lead, to the detriment of primary contenders and third-party candidates. This strategic news coverage elevates public cynicism and may discourage young people from engaging with the democratic process, the researchers say. The findings are detailed in the journal Science Advances. Researchers Johanna Dunaway, associate professor of communication at Texas A&M University, Regina Lawrence of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication in Portland, and Yphtach Lemkes of Poynter looked at articles published by 259 newspapers during the weeks leading up to Election Day in 2004 and 2006. They found that papers with corporate owners were more likely to present politics as a horse race.