Horse race is a sport in which horses are tethered to poles and pushed against each other at high speeds. The game is popular around the world and attracts millions of fans who place bets on the outcome of a race. Betting is available on a variety of different outcomes including which horse will win, come in second or third, and in accumulator bets where a series of bets are placed at one time.

Despite the sport’s long and rich history, horse racing remains controversial for several reasons. The most prominent argument against horse racing is that it is unethical to force animals to run and compete in an environment that bears no resemblance to their natural habitat. While horse races may have appeal for spectators who wear their best hats and sip mint juleps in the grandstand, they are undoubtedly a painful spectacle for horses.

Behind the romanticized facade of Thoroughbred racing lies a world of injuries, drugs, gruesome breakdowns, and slaughter. While spectators show off their fancy outfits and sip mint juleps, horses are forced to sprint at speeds that often result in fatal injuries such as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. In addition, many horses are pushed beyond their limits and subjected to cocktails of legal and illegal drugs designed to mask injuries and artificially enhance performance.

Another major issue with horse racing is the treatment of horses as commodities rather than living, breathing creatures. In order to maximize profits, trainers frequently use illegal methods to manipulate horses’ physical and behavioral performances. For instance, they may force a horse to drink water while running to increase their heart rate and speed. Horses are also subjected to whipping and other abusive handling practices. These conditions are especially harmful for female horses, who are more prone to serious injuries and breakdowns.

In addition, horse racing is a multi-billion dollar industry and generates substantial revenue for its owners. However, the exploitation of horses and the excessive profit margins have made the industry increasingly controversial. As a result, many people have started to support bans on horse racing.

While the sport has changed with technological advances, horse racing still requires a significant amount of capital to maintain operations. This capital is used to fund purses, which are the sums of money paid to winning competitors. The higher the purses, the more interest in a particular race. In turn, this increases the number of bets and the overall betting market.

While it’s unlikely that newsrooms will stop covering elections as a competitive game, research shows that this type of coverage can harm voters and the news media itself. This updated tip sheet explores ways that reporters can reduce so-called “horse race” reporting.