10 Shocking Recent Controversies That Shaped the Sport

Although recent controversies have a fascinating and complicated past full of excitement, it has not been without controversy that has tarnished its image over the years. Along with several policy infractions just to guarantee a win, we have seen everything from unethical race manipulation to the usage of illicit performance-enhancing medications on horses. These disputes have had a major influence on the sport, as seen by the plethora of publications and studies in the media. Many fans, unfortunately, are left wondering about the apparent lack of control and supervision in horse racing and these problems. Below are ten of the most astonishing recent controversies that shocked fans, trainers, and gamblers.

In the 1950s, horse racing faced a serious match-fixing issue. Many jockeys and trainers came to light for conspiring to fix races, who directly contacted bettors to make money from the races. In secrecy, they colluded and planned their actions so certain positions in some races would benefit them, which ended with many investigations and huge changes in how races were conducted. This incident changed the sport, igniting investigations into fixing and more oversight into race operations.

Horse racing suffered one of the strangest recent controversies in 1994, when a horse dubbed a “phantom horse” became involved in recent controversies. A horse called Charlie’s Ghost was fraudulently entered in several races under false names to manipulate betting odds. However, the horse was changed with another at the last minute, and it drew attention to the horse racing community. The investigation that followed brought significant penalties and uncovered gaps in the race entry practices.

The theft of a very prized horse, Tornado, from an English training facility in 2019 caused an abominable event.  Tornado was expected to participate in a large race and the theft raised speculation the theft was done to affect betting results. Law enforcement agencies do not recover Tornado and speculation arose over the safety of racehorses and stables.

In the 2000s, recent controversies involving twelve prominent trainers and numerous counts of doping occurred in the United States. Several horses were treated with illegal performance-enhancing substances to enhance their performance in larger events. The shocking Recent controversies was revealed as a conclusion of a year-long series of undercover investigations they conducted.

In the 1960s, big betting recent controversies surfaced when several individuals were able to manipulate betting markets using inside information. A widespread group included trainers, jockeys, as well as race officials who organized a transaction so that certain races had predetermined outcomes, which could provide a profit off the bets since they amounted to rigging races. The recent controversies, of course, were conspicuous and resulted in arrests and led to reform aspects of betting and race management, as dysfunction and credibility were the anticipated issues in the sport.

The California Horse Racing Board revealed extensive trainer usage of illicit drugs in 2009. To improve their chance of winning, horses were given steroids and blood-doping drugs. The disclosure of these recent controversies prompted a series of civil investigations, fines, and trainers’ and veterinarians’ professional licenses to be revoked. This obvious wrongdoing highlighted the necessity of a more rigorous degree of examination and supervision.

A video recording showing a well-known trainer and jockey abusing horses was unexpectedly made public in 2014. The video was taken surreptitiously, and demonstrated trainers striking/hitting, or punching horses after the post parade, and just before they began the race. The release of the video caused a public outcry from animal rights activists and the general public regarding the horse abuse in racing, and protests began in the U.S. and Canada, as well as an escalation of pressure for regulations regarding horses. The active trainers and jockeys of those involved with the horse abuse in racing were also punished, which exposed the public to the horse abuse in racing of animals.

With the emergence of COVID-19, there was a spike in online gambling with little to no racing events taking place to gamble on; as a result, individuals acted corruptly in the limited racing opportunities available for gambling. Many individuals falsified horse entries, rigged race results, and performed corrupt practices that negatively impacted what is considered a legitimate racing community. As more of the betting action was concentrated on fewer numbers of races, there was a greater need for the “old” rules governing an event to be more strongly implemented again. This led to a lot of insecurity in the industry, fueling demands for better regulation and a better industry that does not tolerate such actions.

The recent controversies above mark some of the largest challenges faced by the horse racing industry throughout the years. From fixing races, use of drugs for illegal horse racing, fatal injuries, injury to jockeys, cruelty, and various other incidents, these issues have raised notable issues regarding integrity and ethics to engage comfortably in horse racing. Horse racing continues and, despite a dwindling popularity, continues to prosper in many ways. However, recent controversies will still happen, and they remind the industry of a dire need for greater regulation, transparency, and protections for both people and horses to ensure the future of the sport.