Horse races are an exhilarating form of competitive sport in which horses are placed in stalls and jockeys mount them for competition over an established distance course. Each horse carries different amounts of weight depending on its age, gender, and training; winners receive large prizes while runners-up receive smaller amounts. While technological advancement has led to advancements within horse racing itself, animal welfare and safety remain at the core of every event with many racing authorities implementing stricter rules and advanced technology both on and off the track to protect animals during races.
Horse races are some of the most exciting and captivating sporting events to witness, featuring athletes that are nothing less than magnificent animals, with physical prowess that is nothing short of amazing. Horse racing has captured millions of people worldwide thanks to its dramatic pageantry and rich history. In America alone there are major races such as Kentucky Derby & Preakness Stakes for colts & fillies, Coaching Club American Oaks for female horses; these prestigious events provide some of the largest purses available within thoroughbred racing today.
Horse racing has its own language that has become part of popular culture, with specific terms coming from riders controlling horses by hand, while others refer to aspects of the sport or metaphorically represent its essence – these include terms like “hand” or “handling,” as well as others like “guiding”, “leading”, or even metaphors such as:
Post Position: A number assigned to each stall within a starting gate from which a race begins. These mechanical devices hold horses securely until their starter releases them for racing.
Pace: Pace is the speed with which a race is run; fast paces indicate that leaders are keeping up with other horses while slower ones indicate that leaders may be struggling.
Quarter Horse: Quarter horses are breeds of horses specifically bred for sprinting over quarter mile courses, though this term can be misleading because many quarter horses do not actually sprint, having difficulty running full miles themselves.
Scratched: Withdrawal from a race due to health or other reasons as determined by the racing authority. A horse may also be pulled from a race by its owner/trainer if it deemed unsuitable to compete.
CHART: A chart is a visual depiction of a race, showing where each horse stands at various points (depending on distance of race), their margin between themselves and nearest competitor(s), and other essential information.
Blinkers: An attachment on a horse’s bridle that restricts its vision on either side and helps it remain focused during races.