A horse race is a close form of competition in which horses or other animals compete in various events. Usually, these races take place on a track and are timed by chronometers. The winning horse is the one that crosses the finish line first. The term horse race may also be used to refer to a political contest or other type of competitive event.
The history of horse racing is complex. The sport originated in Europe and spread to the United States with the arrival of the British colonists. In the early years, organized horse races were closed to the public and the stakes for winners were small. Later, demand for spectators and wagering increased. This led to the development of open races with larger fields and eligibility rules based on age, sex, birthplace, and previous performance.
By the 19th century, racing had become a popular sport with an industry and public that were willing to support it financially. As a result, the sport began to grow rapidly in the United States. In addition, technological advances made it possible to develop and produce racehorses more quickly. These new breeds were faster than their ancestors and could run longer distances.
To meet the public’s growing appetite, racehorses needed to be trained more quickly and intensively. To do this, they were fed more nutrient-dense diets and given drugs to promote rapid growth and improve their performance. These substances pushed the horses to the edge of their health and, on many occasions, over the edge. A great deal of death occurs on the racetrack, according to PETA, including pulmonary hemorrhage, a heart failure and shattered legs.
In the aftermath of Eight Belles, a beloved American champion racehorse, the sport of horse racing was forced to confront its dark side. This involved a profound ideological reckoning at the macro business and industry level as well as a serious commitment by the horsemen to prioritize the horses’ welfare and safety in everything they do. Ideally, this would mean a comprehensive reworking of the industry’s rules, from breeding to training to aftercare. It would involve a major effort to reduce drug use, ban dangerous practices and introduce a more natural and equine friendly lifestyle for racehorses.
A company considering a horse race to choose its next CEO should think carefully about how it can best ensure that the results won’t interfere with internal collaboration and resource sharing. In addition, it should consider whether its culture and organizational structure are suited for this sort of open leadership contest. Depending on the specifics of the company, an overt horse race for the top executive position can alienate not only the senior executives who are vying to win but strong leaders deeper in the organization who might align themselves with the winner. In such cases, it may not be worth the disruption to have a horse race for the top spot. Instead, the board should consider a more streamlined approach to selecting a CEO.