Horse racing is a ruthless sport that exploits animals for profit and puts them at serious risk of injury. While fans show off their fancy outfits and sip mint juleps, horses are forced to sprint — often under the threat of whips or illegal electric shockers — in close quarters at breakneck speeds that can lead to devastating injuries and even fatal pulmonary hemorrhage. In nature, horses understand self-preservation and will only run when it is safe to do so. But in a cruel twist, humans perched on their backs compel them to continue running, and many injured racehorses are still urged onward by that whip, even when they are clearly in pain.
Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred horse racing lies a world of broken bones, drug abuse, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. In fact, it is estimated that every year hundreds of horses die in races, and even when some racehorses are fortunate enough to survive the race, they have a high likelihood of death in retirement or after leaving the track. The best way to protect these magnificent creatures is to stop racing altogether.
During the race, the horse is ridden by a jockey, who must be skilled at steering the animal while also controlling their speed and acceleration. The horse must jump obstacles (if present), run a set distance and reach the finish line first to win the prize money. In the US, the most popular event is the Triple Crown series, which consists of three races held over the course of a year: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
In the US, horse racing is a multi-billion dollar industry, with an average purse of $7 million for each race. Most of the money is derived from wagers made by spectators, with a small percentage coming from tax subsidies in state lotteries and casino gaming. Despite its massive financial clout, horse racing faces declining popularity amongst the public and continues to lose fans, race days and entries.
Aside from the financial issues, horse racing is plagued by a lack of comprehensive aftercare for retired horses. Only a handful of independent nonprofit rescues and individuals network, fundraise and work tirelessly to save these thoroughbreds who leave the racetrack. Unfortunately, they are still often forced into a conveyor belt of exploitation where they are shipped to slaughterhouses in Mexico, Canada and Japan where they are used for dog food and glue, or are killed for their flesh.
Unless the racing industry addresses these issues, the fate of most retired racehorses will be similar to that of Eight Belles and Medina Spirit. Those two horses were both subjected to the exorbitant physical stress of racing and died from heart failure or fractured limbs. Moreover, the postmortem examination of Havnameltdown revealed bone cysts and severe degenerative joint disease. To prevent such tragedies from occurring, the racing industry must undergo a radical ideological reckoning to ensure that it places horses’ best interest at the forefront of its business model.