Horse racing is one of the world’s most enduring and revered sports, but behind that romanticized facade is a reality of injuries, drug abuse, and gruesome breakdowns that often end in slaughterhouses. Increasing awareness of these realities is helping to shrink the racing fan base and turn would-be fans away from betting on horses.
When betting on a horse race, it is important to understand the different wagers and terms used to describe them. Some of the more common wagers include: Across the board: A bet on a horse to win, place, or show. Parimutuels: A French system of wagering where winning bettors get all money wagered by the losers after a deduction by the track (Take Out). Pick 3: A bet in which the player picks the winner of three races in an order. Each of the three races must be won by the same horse.
Condition book: A schedule of races in a certain period of time, usually a few weeks or months. The purpose of a condition book is to give trainers a framework for developing their training programs for the upcoming races. The schedules can sometimes change at the last minute, however. This can be frustrating for both owners and trainers who have planned their horses’ races around specific dates.
Stakes races: Races with higher purses than the regular tracks at which a horse can run. Stakes races are primarily open to horses of a specified age, distance, and sex, but can also be opened up to younger horses on occasion. Some famous stakes races include the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Caulfield Cup in Australia, and the Sydney Cup in New South Wales.
Photo finish: A determination of a race winner is made by studying a photograph of the finish line and declaring whichever horse crossed the line first. If it is not possible to determine a winner, then the race will be settled by dead heat rules.
Acupressure: A technique using pressure applied to a horse’s feet and hands. The goal of acupressure is to relax the horse and encourage it to move freely through its legs.
Shadow roll: A cloth rolled up under a horse’s nose to block its view of the ground and prevent it from jumping shadows.
The history of horse racing is as ancient as the civilizations that have forged it. Evidence of the sport can be found in cave paintings in Egypt, drawings on stone tablets in Persia and China, and ancient Greek games where horsemen sat four-hitched chariots and mounted bareback.
Although the sport has endured many ups and downs over the centuries, modern technology has helped to make it a more streamlined and efficient industry. The advent of thermal imaging cameras, MRI scanners, and 3D printing has helped to improve safety and the overall health of horses. But despite these technological advancements, horse racing is still a struggling business. Crowds at grandstands that can seat thousands are dwindling and the number of tracks is shrinking. This decline is largely due to waning interest in gambling and the rise of other forms of entertainment.