Horse races have long held a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. Whether they gather in crowded stands to watch the big races or wager on them from the comfort of their homes, racing enthusiasts are united by their passion for the sport and its storied traditions. But in recent years, growing awareness of the darker side of the industry has sparked improvements in track conditions and veterinary care. In addition, animal welfare has become a key issue with organizations like PETA conducting groundbreaking investigations into abusive training practices for young horses and the transport of many American racehorses to foreign slaughterhouses.
The most popular way to bet on a horse race is through a Win, Place and Show bet. A player wins if his horse wins, places if it finishes second and shows if it comes in third. In some cases, a horse can also win an Across the Board bet.
While mudslinging, name calling and attack ads dominate the political landscape, some scholars have called into question whether horse race coverage of elections is in fact harmful to voters and candidates. While it’s unlikely that newsrooms will stop covering election contests as a competitive game, some suggest ways to at least improve so-called horse race reporting.
A horse’s performance peaks at about age 6. After that, it rapidly declines. During this period, a horse may suffer injuries such as broken legs and lameness that can prevent it from competing at all. It can also be prone to breakdowns due to its massive torso and spindly legs. A horse that reaches full maturity — when the bones of its spine and neck fuse together and its growth plates drop off — typically weighs 1,000 pounds or more.
Despite this arduous regimen, a well-bred, healthy horse can live for 20 to 25 years or more. Some can even achieve fame and fortune as a racehorse before retiring to become a breeding prospect.
Some people think that a horse race to select a company’s next leader can be more effective than a traditional search for the best candidate. But, in reality, a company using this approach can face several difficulties, including disrupting the business and alienating leaders who might have aligned with an unsuccessful candidate.
A protracted succession horse race can also create uncertainty and distract employees from important strategic priorities. To minimize these risks, a company should take careful consideration of the type of horse race it uses to select its CEO. It should also consider the skills and experience of executives who might compete for the position and develop a plan to identify future leadership talent early and groom them through a series of critical roles that will give them the competencies and seasoning required to lead the company successfully. A successful strategy will also be transparent and encourage employee engagement in the process. Finally, it should be easy for the company to measure and report its results.