A Horse Race is a Tragic Event
A horse race is a grueling contest of speed and stamina in which thoroughbred horses trudge around dirt tracks at speeds of more than 30 miles per hour. They weigh more than a thousand pounds, supported by ankles the size of humans, and are subjected to brutal training regimens that often culminate in broken limbs and catastrophic cardiac episodes. Many of these horses die, a common occurrence in an industry rife with drug abuse, injuries and race-fixing. Others, including the great Eight Belles and last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, are rescued by the few small nonprofit horse rescue groups that network, fundraise and work tirelessly to provide them with the best possible futures. Yet for every horse saved, a number of former racehorses hemorrhage into the slaughter pipeline, where they are subjected to arbitrary ransoms and a horrific end at meatpacking plants in Mexico and Canada.
Whether you’re a horse racing fan or not, you can’t deny the impact that the sport has had on our culture and history. The majesty of events like the Kentucky Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe draw spectators from all over the world, and bettors place staggering sums of money on them. Yet while betting numbers are rising and viewership for horse races rivals the Super Bowl, the number of foals is declining, raising questions about how long the niche sport has left to survive in a competitive landscape.
The equine athlete’s symbiotic relationship with man is unmatched in the animal kingdom, and the sport of horse racing is perhaps the greatest testament to this symbiosis. But it’s also the most unforgiving. When a racehorse dies in the midst of exorbitant physical stress, it’s not just a tragic loss for its owner, trainer or jockey; it is a tragedy for the entire industry.
In the heyday of horse racing, superstars like Seabiscuit and Secretariat made the sport the sport of kings. But even in its heyday, the sport was not without its darker side, with thousands of horses dying each year from a variety of causes, including injury, exhaustion and poor diet.
As the sport continues to evolve, we must examine what role it plays in our culture and society. This includes addressing its shortcomings, such as a lack of a fully-funded and industry-sponsored wraparound aftercare solution for all horses who leave the track. Meanwhile, young, promising horses hemorrhage into the slaughter pipeline, and unless we act, they may never get the second chance they deserve.