Horse racing is an ancient sport that has been practiced in civilizations throughout the world for thousands of years. It is an industry that involves a large number of animals, many of whom are not treated well. Behind the glamorous facade of Thoroughbred racehorses sipping mint juleps and showing off their designer silks, horses are subjected to injuries, drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. Support PETA’s efforts to ensure that racing regulations are reformed and enforced in the interests of the horse.
Condition book: Schedule of races for a particular track in a given time period, allowing trainers to plan training regimens accordingly. It includes information such as distance, track type, sex, and time of year.
Closer: A horse who runs best in the final portion of the race, often finishing third or better. Clubhouse turn: Bend in the track just after the finish line. Filly: Female horse up to and including age 4. Furlong: One-eighth of a mile; 220 yards; 660 feet. Handicap: Popular handicapping ranking system in which a runner’s finishing place and odds are compared to those of the other runners in the race, using factors such as speed, class, and sex of the horse.
Jockey: Person who rides a horse during a race or workout. Jockeys are trained by stable owners to exercise their horses and coax the maximum performance out of them. A successful jockey can make a big difference in the outcome of a race, and is usually paid a considerable sum to do so.
The length of a race varies according to the customs of the country in which it is run. In the United States, most races became shorter and faster as commercialization overtook the traditional values of the sport. Speed became more important than stamina. In Europe, where races are longer and more traditional, stamina is still emphasized.
Across the Board bet: Wager in which the player selects a runner to win, place, and show. If the runner wins, the player collects all three prices; if it comes in second, the player collects the Place and Show prices; and if it finishes third, the player collects the Show price only.
Quarter horse: A breed of horse especially suited for racing over a quarter mile distance, typically with a faster pace than other sprinters.
Sick: A horse prone to bleeding from the lungs during exercise or running, sometimes exacerbated by extreme hot or cold temperatures. Also referred to as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Many horses are treated preventively with a drug called Lasix.
Steadied: To be taken in hand by the rider, often because of tight quarters. Tongue strap or tie: Cloth or rubber strap used to hold a horse’s tongue out of its mouth during a race or workout.
A sloppy track is wet on top with firm bottom, contrasting with a good or fast track that is dry. Stick: A whip used by a jockey to guide his horse.