What Makes a Horse Race Legendary?
A horse race is a sport that combines strategy, speed and stamina. The greatest races feature equine stars delivering a breathtaking spectacle that draws enthusiasts worldwide. Whether it’s the prestigious tradition of the Epsom Derby, international allure of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, or the cultural pageantry of the Melbourne Cup, these world-famous horse races are a fusion of history and culture with high stakes.
“He could not have moved faster if he had fallen off the grandstand roof.” That was how jockey Charlie Hatton described Secretariat’s 31-length Belmont victory to win the US Triple Crown in 1973, a feat that is considered by many to be the greatest race ever run. Yet there are many other criteria that can elevate a race to the status of ‘greatest’. A head-to-head, a star turn, or an outstanding individual performance can all proclaim a race as legendary.
The earliest evidence of horses being trained to race dates back to prehistory, but it wasn’t until the 17th and 18th centuries that horse racing really took off as a popular sport. Britain’s King James – 1 established Newmarket as a center of stud farms and breeding, and the sport was given its structure during this period. In fact, it was during this time that the ‘Greatest Races’ were born, as the sport became firmly entrenched in Europe and the United States with the establishment of famous horse races like the Kentucky Derby and the Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe.
In order to compete at the highest levels in horse racing, a thoroughbred needs to be in peak physical condition. To keep up with the demands of the sport, many of these horses are fed a cocktail of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask injuries and enhance their performance. While these medications are a necessary part of racing, the long-term health effects of such drugs can be quite severe for the animal.
In addition to the drugs used on the track, a number of other practices are used to keep horses competitive. For example, some horses are forced to run at a pace that can cause them to suffer from a painful condition called exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). This is exacerbated by the fact that most racetracks have extremely tight turns that put additional strain on the animals. To help combat this issue, horses are sometimes given a drug called Lasix that is designed to decrease bleeding and enhance performance. While there are criticisms of this practice by some media scholars, there is also a growing body of research that suggests that Lasix has a positive effect on the horse’s overall well-being. As the sport continues to evolve, it is important that we continue to explore the best ways for racehorses to be treated and cared for. This is especially important when it comes to ensuring the safety and longevity of these beautiful creatures.