A horse race is a contest of speed or stamina between two or more horses. In modern times it has evolved into a vast public-entertainment spectacle, with large fields of runners and sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment, but its basic concept remains unchanged. The horse that finishes first is the winner. Throughout its long history, horse races have been subject to a variety of rules and regulations, but the most important ones remain the same: The winner must be the first horse to cross the finish line.
In the early days of horse racing, match races were common. Two or more owners would agree to match their horses against each other for a certain amount of money, called a purse. An owner who backed out forfeited half the purse or, later, the entire purse. Bets were usually made in cash, and agreements were recorded by disinterested third parties, known as keepers of the match book. These books became the basis for standardized racing formats.
The era’s fastest horses could cover four miles in about eight minutes, about the distance of today’s Kentucky Derby. That speed, combined with the soaring cost of shipping, made it very expensive to maintain a stable of fast horses for racing and breeding. It was in this context that Tasker and Selima staged one of the most famous and influential matches in horse racing history.
When journalists reporting on elections focus on who’s ahead and who’s behind – what’s called horse race coverage – voters, candidates and the news industry suffer, according to a growing body of research. A recent study found that when this type of reporting is prominent, people are more likely to skip voting, even when their candidate has a high chance of winning or losing.
In addition to mudslinging, name calling and attack ads, the horse-race language in politics often obscures the real issues at stake in an election. This is especially true when a horse-race metaphor is used by politicians themselves. When a politician compares a political contest to a horse race, the implication is that it’s a close fight with plenty of drama and suspense.
The term horse race has been used in a wide range of literary genres, from novels and plays to newspaper articles and speeches. In the 19th century, it also came to refer to a closely contested election or other form of competition. The term is still used in a broad range of social and political contexts, including the battle for supremacy in a business environment. For example, some managers and investors may engage in a “horse race” for executive talent by competing to hire executives who can perform well in a particular situation. In this type of environment, a leader must be able to develop an effective team while at the same time preserving the company’s culture and organizational structure. If an executive is not able to do so, the company’s success will be limited.