With horse racing becoming a more and more brutal sport over the last several years, it might make sense that there would be less desire to watch today than a decade ago. According to one individual, that’s not the case.
Drew Steele, a two-year-old American Quarter Horse from rural Kentucky, continues to watch horse racing despite how violent it has become.
“That’s kind of the point,” said Steele. “It’s a violent sport. Always has been. If it’s becoming more violent it’s only because the athletes are getting bigger and stronger. Seeing a violent collision or a brutal injury is what makes viewers stick around.”
Not everyone agrees with Drew’s stance. In fact, according to recent polls, 60 percent of horse racing fans say something should be done about the injuries in horse racing.
But even the most rabid fans aren’t oblivious to the problem. “I agree it’s an issue,” said Steele. “No one wants to see a horse set seriously injured. But I just think that if we make adjustments to make it safer, it won’t be the same sport. Safety changes will ruin the sport of horse racing forever.”
Recent proposed changes to horse racing have included walking the horses around the track for half of the race, providing wheeled carts for horses that may want to use them, and making the race track entirely downhill.
Regardless of what changes may come to horse racing in the next decade, many of the fans seem willing to stick around. “I’ve watched horse racing since I was a colt. I may never get to race in the Kentucky Derby, but it’s nice to dream, and I’ll continue watching the sport no matter happens.”