A horse race is a form of corporate succession planning in which several senior-level candidates compete for the CEO role. Its proponents say it can be a good alternative to a search committee that may impose its own agenda or limit the number of qualified candidates. It also can help build employee morale by giving everyone the opportunity to vie for a leadership position they think would be best for the company.
But the truth is that horse racing is a cruel sport. It imposes enormous physical and emotional stresses on sensitive animals, and the winners are rarely the healthiest horses. A shattered knee or a fractured fetlock can put a runner out for weeks to months, while a swollen and distended stomach or heart can lead to death. Injuries are common, and horses often start their rigorous training too young, causing stress to developing bones and ligaments. Trainers often push them too hard, and some use illegal performance-enhancing drugs to keep them competing even when they are injured or sick. Owners, eager for a signature win to justify their million-dollar investment, pressure them into competition.
In this grueling, violent sport, horses are routinely beaten with whips, kicked and struck with fists. They are subjected to terrifying races in front of tens of thousands of screaming spectators. Many die in terrifying accidents, and the ones that do survive are often euthanised. The industry is rife with corruption, and people like the founder of Churchill Downs have resorted to bribery to keep the profits rolling in. A few years ago, the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals conducted undercover investigations at Saratoga and other major track venues. Its report found that a horse’s life is a “chaotic, traumatic and twisted existence.”
Most racehorses live in stables on a racetrack, and their daily routine includes jogs and gallops in the early morning. They must learn how to run in a circle and channel their energy effectively over the course of a race, which can last anywhere from two miles (3.2 km) to four. One of the most important lessons they must learn is to switch leads, which means alternating between running on the right lead when they are going straight and on the left lead around corners. A runner who remains on the same lead for too long will exhaust himself more quickly. Changing leads on command is essential.
A horse’s racing success depends on its ability to run the prescribed course and jump every hurdle, if present. A successful finish earns prize money that is typically shared between the first three runners. In addition, some monetary rewards are given to owners who have the top-place finishers’ horses. But for most bettors, the main draw is the chance to connect with a favorite horse. Seabiscuit, for instance, was so popular that bettors cheered him by his name. This personal touch, along with the prospect of a big payday, kept the crowds coming back for more.