A horse race is a sport in which competing thoroughbreds are ridden by jockeys and paced to run around a track. It is a popular pastime for many people, and is also a lucrative business for the breeders, owners, jockeys, trainers, and gamblers who wager on the outcome of each race. However, many horses die in the process and critics have pointed to the sport as a brutal enterprise.
Horse races can take place over a variety of distances, but are typically held on tracks covered with either dirt, grass, or sand. The most famous of these races are those called handicap races in which each runner is allocated a weight to carry based on their past race performances.
The sport was once an essential part of American culture, with races like the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes being major events that would draw thousands of spectators to the track and millions more on television. It was also a central theme in the film industry, with movies such as Gone With The Wind and The Sound of Music capturing its popularity.
In modern times, there is still a great deal of enthusiasm for the sport, with racing fans gathering to attend large races and betting on the outcome. Wagering has been a mainstay of horse racing throughout its history, and the practice is legal in most countries.
Some horse races are known as the “sport of kings,” with the richest purses offered in these events. But there are also many controversies surrounding the sport, including allegations of gambling fraud, illegal drug use, and the not-infrequent deaths of the racehorses. The exploitation of these animals by the multibillion-dollar industry has led to calls for reform and even outright bans on the sport.
Despite its brutality, horse racing is not without its fans. The sport is a source of national pride in some countries, such as the Australian Melbourne Cup, which is sometimes referred to as “the race that stops a nation.” It is a popular pastime among people of all ages and backgrounds.
When journalists focus on who is in the lead and who is losing instead of discussing policy issues – what’s often referred to as horse race coverage – voters, candidates and journalism itself suffer, according to new research. This collection of articles looks at ways to improve the way journalists cover elections, particularly with a focus on the issues that really matter.