Thoroughbred racing: Backstage at the Sport of Kings

Abstract

Thoroughbred racing is a global industry that provides numerous benefits, notably income from wagering, and the demonstration of social status, which form the basis for leisure experiences for thousands of racegoers. The paper applies the theory of front and back stage to conceptualise the human and animal performances on Race Day. Data from a sample of 66 race meetings revealed that injuries were reported for racing thoroughbreds on a regular basis, at almost all of the meetings sampled including the internationally recognised Melbourne Cup. The reality for thoroughbreds on the back stage is therefore inconsistent with the impression on the front stage. The study calls for further research regarding the use of domestic animals for entertainment.

Keywords:

• Thoroughbred racing
• front and back stage
• animal welfare
• latent secrets