Horse racing is an exciting and entertaining sport that has a rich history. The thrill of betting and the chance for a pay day draws people to the track. Fans root for a specific horse or jockey and will celebrate a long shot winner. Many people have been fascinated by the stories of horses such as Seabiscuit, a horse that defied all odds and became a crowd favorite.
During the pandemic, horse racing experienced a boom in popularity. TVG, an all-racing channel included in many sports cable packages, was swamped with viewers who would normally watch only ESPN for baseball or the NBA. People who never had any interest in horse racing suddenly found themselves sitting in front of the television, watching the race. Many first-time bettors found themselves cheering for a horse by name, not by number.
One of the most famous horse races in the world is the Palio di Siena, held on July 2 and August 16 each year in Siena, Italy. A magnificent pageant precedes the race, which features seventeen Contrade, or city wards, whose horse and rider represent them. The race has become a cultural icon of Siena, and its winners are regarded as local heroes.
While critics say that horse race journalism is unscientific and misleading, it is widely practiced by news outlets because of its wide appeal with the public. Critics also complain that it can distract the media from covering more important issues, but news experts disagree.
Many companies employ a horse race as part of their succession process, believing that it is the most effective way to choose the best candidate for the company’s top job. Proponents of this method of selecting a CEO point to a number of benefits that are associated with the process, including the fact that it can provide motivation for all employees to work hard and compete for the position.
Another benefit of the horse race is that it can help a company develop a deep bench of talented executive talent. Having several internal candidates ready to take on the CEO role can reduce the risk of a departure that could disrupt the business. It can also signal to employees that the board has a strong faith in its leadership development processes and that it is prepared to see a strong leader emerge from the competition.
Some animal rights activists argue that the race itself is cruel to the horses, who are drugged, whipped, and pushed to their limits by professional trainers. They are often raced far too young, and PETA estimates that ten thousand thoroughbreds are killed each year in North America because of the sport. The horse race has also been criticized for its use of gambling as a major funding source. However, horse racing is a major part of the American culture and has helped shape much of the country’s history. As long as horse races continue to attract bettors and draw the attention of the media, they will remain an important feature of American society.
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