A horse race is a contest of speed among horses that are either ridden by jockeys or pulled by sulkies and their drivers. It is an extremely popular spectator sport in many countries around the world, and is regarded as one of the most exciting sporting events that can be held. A horse race is often compared to a political horse race because both involve the same type of uncertainty.

The sport of horse racing was first documented in France in 1651, and it became the dominant form of entertainment during the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715). It is not uncommon for the favored winner to be awarded a large prize, such as a valuable jewel or even a ship. The races were initially regulated by the crown and were held in royal palaces. By the late 18th century, the rules of the game were set forth by a body called the Jockey Club. In addition, a system of handicapping was established that awarded points to runners depending on their place in the race.

A number of issues have sparked public dissatisfaction with horse racing, including drug use and abusive training practices, as well as the fact that most of the horses are slaughtered after their careers end. PETA has made significant efforts to expose these problems, and its investigative journalism has led to major improvements in the treatment of racehorses.

However, despite these improvements, the cruelty inherent in the sport still persists. In addition to equine deaths that occur during races, the vast majority of horses that are retired from racing continue to live in confinement and are ultimately sent to slaughterhouses. It is also possible for a horse to die tragically during training and not receive the proper attention from racing officials.

When a horse races, it is a physical and psychological stressor that can cause it to become sick or even die from its injuries. These injuries and illnesses are often the result of the extreme pressure placed on a young horse to perform, which is done in spite of its limited skeletal development. Horses are also pushed past their limits and subjected to extreme heat, which can lead to fatalities.

While improved medical treatment and safety regulations have reduced the number of horses that are killed on-track, a staggering number of them suffer from other health and behavioral issues. Many of these horses, like Eight Belles, die at or shortly after the Kentucky Derby, and because of a lack of racing industry regulation, transparency and record keeping, the true number of equine deaths cannot be fully known.

Proponents of the horse race method of choosing a CEO argue that it is an effective way to select a high-performing executive. They say that it also serves to motivate employees throughout the company by demonstrating that the board has invested in leadership development processes that allow talented executives to compete for key roles in a series of critical functions and gain the competencies and seasoning needed to succeed as CEO.