A horse race is an equestrian competition in which horses run around a course for a set distance. The first, second and third place finishers receive a specific amount of prize money. It is a popular sport among spectators and is often broadcast on television. A horse must be ridden by a jockey who is trained to control the animal safely. There are several types of horse races, including: open claiming, conditioned claiming, optional claiming and graded stakes races.
The equine athletes that compete in horse racing are some of the most magnificent and elegant creatures in the world. However, behind the romanticized facade of the industry lies a world of drugs, injuries, gruesome breakdowns and slaughter. And while spectators show off their fancy outfits and sip mint juleps, the horses are running for their lives.
At the heart of it all are trainers like Steve Asmussen, whose training methods have been accused of a litany of cruelty by animal advocates. Asmussen trains many of the most prominent horses in America, and his name is synonymous with success in thoroughbred horse races.
But he is also a controversial figure, and the recent video released by PETA has given the public a glimpse at what goes on inside two of America’s most famous racetracks-Churchill Downs in Kentucky and Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York.
In the video, Asmussen’s horses are seen bucking, rearing and kicking, and one of them breaks its leg while running in the starting gate. The horses are also jogged at high speeds, causing them to shatter bones and hemorrhage in their lungs.
When a horse balks in the walking ring before a race, it is often thought to be frightened or angry. Bettors look at the horse’s coat to see if it is bright and rippling. If it is, the horse is believed to be ready to run. In addition to balking, a horse may become short of breath, or it may stop to drink water.
The standardized race that was the foundation of Thoroughbred horse racing began in 1751, when six-year-olds were admitted to the King’s Plates, in which they carried 168 pounds over four-mile heats. This system continued until the 1860s.
Some executives and governance observers are uncomfortable with the classic succession “horse race” approach, in which multiple senior-level candidates vie for the CEO role over a defined period of time, with the winner becoming the next leader. However, it is undeniable that the strategy has been successful for many admired companies in identifying outstanding CEOs. A board that is considering the horse race model should consider whether the culture and structure of the company are compatible with such a contest. Moreover, it is important to consider the ramifications of an overt leadership contest, because, in some cases, the process can have a negative effect on other strong leaders deeper within the organization who may have aligned themselves with an unsuccessful candidate. The board should also be prepared to address a range of strategies that can minimize disruptions to the business.