A horse race is a form of close competition. Typically, it involves several competitors jockeying for position, and the winner is awarded a prize or title. It is a common term for political contests, but it can also be used in other types of close competitions. The term is also used metaphorically in reference to many aspects of the business world.
A board of directors might choose to use a horse race to identify its next chief executive. This type of competition can be highly disruptive if executed poorly. The process is often viewed by employees as a sham, and it can alienate talented leaders in the organization. In addition, it can create a sense of distrust between the winning candidate and the rest of the workforce.
The sham nature of a horse race is well-documented, and critics have pointed out the need for transparency and accountability. But supporters of the practice argue that it is important for a board to ensure that its succession processes are robust enough to produce multiple candidates who are ready to take on the role. A horse race can also serve as a motivator to employees throughout the organization, who see that they have an opportunity to move into senior-level positions if they perform well.
In a horse race, horses that have been groomed for competition and trained to run as fast as possible compete in a series of races. The horses are ridden by jockeys, and they must be able to stay in front of their opponents throughout the race. In order to maintain a competitive edge, horse trainers must continually work on the horses’ fitness and conditioning.
Many people who do not participate in horse racing have deep concerns about the treatment of the animals. The animal rights group Horseracing Wrongs holds demonstrations every weekend at Laurel or Pimlico, and the organization has posted video footage of Havnameltdown’s post-mortem examination, which included osteoarthritis, severe degenerative joint disease and bone cysts (holes in the bones). These findings may seem alarming to outsiders to the sport, but the horse racing industry is used to them.
The unnatural act of running a horse at high speed on a hard track leads to many injuries, and one study found that 3 thoroughbreds die daily due to catastrophic injuries during races. Pushed beyond their limits, these animals are often subjected to cocktails of legal and illegal drugs that mask pain and artificially enhance performance. These drugs are injected into the horses’ bodies, and they can cause problems like exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and other ailments. If not for a handful of independent nonprofit rescues and individuals who network, fundraise and advocate on behalf of these horses, their lives would be horrific.