The Evolution of Horse Racing
As a sport steeped in time-honored traditions, horse racing continues to excite and delight fans all over the world. But the sport has also evolved significantly in recent years thanks to technological advances in fields like veterinary science, equine dentistry, and 3D printing. While horse races may still be run by a strict set of rules, they are now also monitored by thermal imaging cameras that can detect horses overheating post-race, and MRIs, endoscopes, and 3D printed casts can assist with treatment or even provide prosthetics for injured horses.
Often, horse race participants will see a steward or other race official walk over to a steed in the winner’s circle after a finish to confirm that the winning horse crossed the line first. This is called a photo finish, and it’s one of the most exciting aspects of a horse race to watch. A photograph of the finish is studied by a team of stewards, who will declare this particular horse as the winner. If a clear winner is not apparent, then the horse that came in second place will be awarded the prize.
In the wild, horses love to run fast and do so joyfully. Winning a race, however, is not something that comes naturally to them. In fact, a horse that is willing to stretch out for a long distance will often be more suited to running in the middle of a pack rather than up front. As such, long races are viewed as tests of both speed and stamina.
Some horses aren’t quite fast enough to compete in the stakes ranks so they must enter races that are lower in quality. These races are known as claiming races, and they allow trainers to test the skills of their horses by entering them against similar competition. If a horse does well in this type of race, they can move up to higher class levels and become contenders for the win. But if they don’t perform as expected, they can be claimed for the low price of their entry fee.
A horse that is putting in good runs at the claiming level can sometimes be heard being described by commentators as ‘on the bridle’. This does not have anything to do with what’s served on a plate, but rather refers to the bridle or bit that goes in the horse’s mouth and is used to control their direction.
Similarly, you may hear a commentator say that a horse is ‘on the fetlocks’. This again has nothing to do with the feet of a horse but is actually a term that means they are shifting gears in the closing stages of the race to go faster and is an indication of their fitness or ability. A horse that can do this quickly is said to have a good ‘turn of foot’.