Horse races are a globally beloved spectacle that draw millions of followers, from ceremonial pageantry like Melbourne Cup events to simply loving horses themselves, horse racing has an undeniable charm that resonates with casual spectators as well as dedicated bettors alike. Wagering on race results adds extra thrills for casual observers and committed gamblers alike!

Experienced racehorses like Secretariat are capable of captivating national audiences and becoming living legends through iconic performances in race after race – such as his win at Belmont Stakes to claim the Triple Crown in 1973 or Seabiscuit’s Preakness victory or Man o’ War’s record performance in 1861 – making unforgettable races unforgettable experiences that transcend sport altogether – Secretariat’s legacy lives on even after death! Such victories can become the cornerstones of their respective athletes’ careers – or transcend even this realm – making him immortal as the greatest racehorse ever.

While horse races provide an entertaining spectacle for spectators, their practice raises concerns for animal welfare. Racing requires lengthy confinement periods and often unnatural training regimens which may cause severe injuries to horses participating. Animal rights activists have addressed this concern and advocated reform as well as bans on this activity.

Betting on horse races often adds an element of risk to an activity that otherwise appears relatively secure; consequently, horse racing events may sometimes be classified as gambling events and some jurisdictions forbid gambling on this sport.

While horse races are often associated with sporting competitions between rival teams, journalists have also used it to refer to closely contested political contests or activities that require close decisions to call. When using it in this manner, journalists generally mean to refer to an election where it is too close to call – with its attendant mudslinging and name calling often making following along a political horse race difficult due to all the drama that ensues.

Though journalists will likely continue covering elections as competitive games, research shows that journalists’ focus on who’s winning can damage voters, candidates and news outlets themselves. It may still be possible to improve so-called horse race coverage by taking steps that help readers better comprehend policy issues underlying a vote; our roundup of research offers tips for doing just this; this tip sheet was updated Oct 23 2023.