Horse racing is a multibillion dollar industry rife with corruption and drug abuse, and one in which many horses end up suffering a cruel death. A vigil will be held this year in Melbourne to remember the 168 racehorses killed this season and thousands who die every year without a trace.

While most people love to watch a fast-paced, action-packed horse race, most don’t realize that this sport is not about the horses but rather about money and greed. It is about the jockeys, the owners and the track operators getting rich off the backs of these prey animals who are forced to live a life in captivity. In the wild, horses want to run together as a herd, not be pushed to win.

During the early days of horse racing, horses were often whipped, and some died from injuries caused by excessive whipping. Many also suffered from extreme confinement and were fed unnatural diets that led to skeletal problems and other health problems. Despite these dangers, state governments saw horse racing as an opportunity to increase tax revenue and, in the 1930s, they exacted steep taxes from the horse racing industry.

Today, few racehorses are retired to pastures, and the majority end up in slaughterhouses where they are euthanized or sold to be turned into glue and dog food. The cruelty and exploitation of these majestic creatures is similar to the treatment of farmed animals who are raised for human consumption: they are confined in unnatural ways, given drugs that are intended to mask their injuries and artificially enhance their performance, and often suffer a callous death.

The first documented horse race was a wager between two noblemen in France in 1651. By the reign of Louis XIV (reigned 1643-1715), horse races had become commonplace. The French government established rules to govern the sport, including requiring certificates of origin for horses and imposing extra weight on foreign horses.

There are a number of categories of horse races, with the most prestigious offering the biggest purses. Depending on their experience and how recently they’ve ran, some horses are “allowed” (given less weight) than others, which affects their chances of winning. Other factors that can influence a horse’s chances of winning include its age, sex and training.

A runner who is favored by the bookmakers, or the odds-on favorite, will be listed as a lock. A favorite is a horse expected to win by a wide margin, or an easy winner. A long shot is a horse that has relatively low odds of winning and is a good choice for small bets. The shortest length of a race is a furlong, which is the distance that covers 220 yards. A sloppy track is one that has become muddy, making it difficult for the horses to keep their footing and run straight. A dry track is one that is hard and firm, which is easier for the horses to run on.