A horse race is a competition in which horses are pitted against one another in close contest. This contest may be in a sport, such as golf or tennis, or it may be in a political election. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the term horse race has been applied broadly in both of these contexts, and the meaning has shifted over time.
The first horse races were match races between two or three horses. These were wagers between owners who provided the purse. The agreements were recorded by disinterested third parties, who became known as keepers of the match book. By the 1720s, these arrangements had evolved into a number of different types of events. These included stakes races, where the horses were entered by the track’s owners, and races for which the horses were eligible based on age, sex, gender, birthplace, and previous performance.
By the 1830s, public demand had created an environment in which a wide range of races were available to horse enthusiasts. These races included standardized rules that allowed horses of similar abilities to compete against each other. For example, a race for six-year-olds was set in place at that time, with all the horses competing in four-mile heats. Similarly, races for five-year-olds and four-year-olds with specific weight requirements were established in the United States.
Races were also characterized by the use of whips to encourage the horses to continue running hard when they were tired. These practices put enormous strain on the lower legs of the horses, causing strained ligaments and tendons. In addition, the horses walked on the track with their backs bent to avoid stepping on the heels of other horses. As a result, horses are often seen with lower legs that appear bruised and discolored after a race.
As the pack made its way around the clubhouse turn, War of Will was establishing a lead. His jockey, Abel Cedillo, whipped his mount to maintain the advantage. Mongolian Groom, a small-framed bay, and McKinzie, a dark chestnut colt, were just behind him.
At the start of the stretch run, many spectators switched from cheering to shrieking. Mongolian Groom’s jockey swung his whip in an attempt to keep up with the leaders, but the horse began to tire. Then the stretch run turned into a straight sprint, and the jockey was forced to increase his whipping intensity.
The jockey’s efforts paid off, and he caught up to the leaders. Despite the fact that he was wearing blue bandages on his lower hind legs, he was still able to finish a few lengths ahead of his competitors. The crowd was ecstatic, and the sound of a horse’s hooves thundering on the dirt resounded throughout the grandstand. It was an amazing race.