A horse race is a close contest, as in a political campaign or any type of nail-biting competition. The term may also refer to a specific contest of speed and stamina between two horses, though the modern version of the sport is a multibillion-dollar business that relies on large fields of runners, sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, and huge sums of money. The basic concept of the horse race has changed very little over the centuries, and it remains one of the oldest forms of sports in the world.
The earliest horse races were simple contests of speed between two animals, usually a hunter and a field hound. These early events were not regulated and often led to injury, especially amputations. The first organized horse race in North America was run in 1664, during the British occupation of New Amsterdam (now New York City).
After organized racing began, the emphasis shifted from speed to endurance. During this period, Thoroughbred horses were trained to sprint over long distances at speeds that put them in danger of sustaining serious injuries and even hemorrhaging from their lungs. They were often whipped and subjected to other brutal treatment techniques. During this time, horses also suffered from drug abuse and gruesome breakdowns.
By the middle of the 20th century, horse racing had morphed into a spectator-oriented form of gambling with enormous prize money and sophisticated monitoring equipment. The sport had become a huge public-entertainment enterprise, but its popularity had declined by the early 21st century, in part because of a series of scandals involving gambling and animal cruelty.
Aside from the financial concerns, there are many reasons that horse racing has lost its appeal to many modern people. The fact that the sport has been marred by numerous serious scandals has tarnished its image as a legitimate sporting activity. In addition, many people have come to realize that the physical demands of the sport are not suitable for equines. The pounding of the tyres, the whipping and riding, and other activities associated with horse racing can cause severe and sometimes fatal injuries.
In the beginning of the 21st century, horse racing had been trying to make itself more appealing to a younger audience by adding a more social aspect to it. The sport has also been working to bring the horse into the technological age with computerized handicapping and betting systems. In recent years, horse race betting has been shifting away from traditional betting establishments and toward online sites and mobile applications.
Aside from the increased popularity of e-gaming, there are other factors that have contributed to the decline in horse race betting. A number of states have passed laws restricting the types of bets that can be placed and the amount of money that can be won, which has reduced the number of bettors. In addition, the escalating costs of maintaining and operating thoroughbreds has made it more difficult for owners to afford to keep them in training.