Horse racing is one of the oldest sports, and its basic concept has changed little over the centuries. It is a contest between horses of different speeds and stamina, and the first one to cross the finish line wins. It has developed from a primitive contest into a sport with elaborate rules and electronic monitoring equipment, but the essential feature remains the same.
The horse race was a nail-biter. War of Will was in a prime position, hugging the inside rail, moving with huge strides and hypnotic smoothness. McKinzie was gaining rapidly on him, and Mongolian Groom was close behind him. But when they rounded the far turn and started running into the last of the sun, it was clear that all three were tiring.
They had all been injected that morning with Lasix, a diuretic, which is noted on the racing form with a boldface “L.” The official reason for this is to prevent pulmonary bleeding from hard running that can leave the horses looking like they are covered in blood and, in some cases, even dying. The truth is that Lasix causes the horses to unload epic amounts of urine–20 or 30 pounds worth, and it makes them thirsty.
In the United States, Lasix is a legal drug administered to thoroughbreds in races over six furlongs or longer. But it is also a profitable business, generating more than $3 billion in annual wagering on the outcome of races over six furlongs or less. The major racing industries in Europe, Asia and Australia are almost entirely dependent on Lasix as well.
Horse races have been a popular entertainment since ancient times, but they became increasingly popular as forms of gambling in the 16th and 17th centuries. By the 19th century, they had morphed into a form of spectator sports and a huge public-entertainment industry. But in the early 21st century, the popularity of horse racing began to wane.
While some critics of the sport cite animal cruelty and addiction as reasons to abandon it, other reasons have more to do with money. For example, during the Great Depression, impoverished state governments turned to the lucrative gambling market of horse racing to bolster their coffers. As a result, many tracks were opened in this period.
In addition, the horse-racing industry is heavily incentivized by betting and media coverage to cheat, dope horses and otherwise skew the results of races. It is no surprise, then, that horse-racing is among the most rigged of all sporting events. Yet the sport has a loyal following of fans who love to watch it from the stands or on their TV screens. The sport has a unique combination of spectacle and skill that draws in viewers from all walks of life. To understand why, it helps to look at the history of horse racing. This article examines some of the key milestones that have shaped the horse-racing industry. It also considers some of the ways that people have tried to fix races and, sadly, some of the consequences of this practice.
