Day: April 12, 2025

Horse race is a sport that has entranced spectators for centuries. Its earliest accounts date back to the Greek Olympics, where riders wore bareback and hitched their horses to chariots. While the modern version is much more civilized, it still draws crowds of devoted fans to racetracks and other venues throughout the world. A day at the races can include everything from wagering to savoring high-end cuisine.

The sport of horse racing is a highly competitive and dangerous enterprise. Trainers and jockeys must balance the needs of their mounts with the legal limits on pain and performance-enhancing drugs. Even a slight misjudgment could cost a horse its life. Often, these tragedies are caused by breeding practices that favor speed over durability. The resulting generation of horses are genetically homogenous and extremely susceptible to injury.

In order to keep the horse population in check, rules were developed that limit the number of horses that can be entered into a given race. These rules take into account the age, sex, and birthplace of horses, as well as their track records and the qualifications of their owners and riders. In addition, races were created that are restricted to specific ages or genders in order to provide an equal playing field for competing runners.

A variety of types of races are held at horse racing tracks, and they have different purses. The most popular races are the Grade I and Grade II stakes, which carry a significant amount of prize money and are considered the top level of the sport. These races are typically run over distances ranging from five and a half miles to ten and a half miles, which are tests of both speed and stamina.

There are also a large number of Grade III and Grade IV races, which feature higher prize amounts but not as high as the Grade I and Grade II stakes. These races are designed for a wider range of horses, including those who haven’t won as many previous races as the winner of a Grade I or Grade II race. There are even races that allow fillies and mares to compete against male horses, and these are often referred to as maiden special weight or training wheel races.

To prepare for a race, the horses are groomed and paraded around the track for warmup sessions. Onlookers can observe the horse’s behavior and running style during these sessions, which can help them predict its chances of winning or losing. The horse’s jockey or driver is another important factor to consider. If the rider seems uneasy on the horse or the pair has a history of tension, the horse may not perform well in the race. A jockey or driver who is comfortable and confident in their skills will be able to communicate better with the horse, enabling them to get the most out of its potential. A good trainer will know how to place his or her horses in races that fit them well.

This is a list of prizes, medals and awards including cups, trophies, bowls, badges and state decorations awarded in Singapore. It does not include awards, honours and medals of foreign governments or organisations, nor any sports trophies or competitions.

The NUS Singapore History Prize, launched in 2014 with a generous endowment from an anonymous donor, aims to spur interest and understanding of the country’s unique and complex history. This year, the prize will recognise non-print media works for the first time with the launch of a new “Arts and Multimedia” category, alongside the book and documentary categories.

Despite a tough call for entries, the NUS Singapore History Prize’s 2027 panel chose Prof Miksic’s book – Singapore And The Silk Road Of The Sea, 1300-1800 – as the winner. The work synthesises 25 years of archaeological research to examine the role of Singapore in the 14th-century trade network. It is a fundamental reinterpretation of Singapore’s early history that is “opening up new perspectives and exciting the imagination of Singaporeans,” said the prize’s jury, which included Chairman of NUS’ East Asian Institute Wang Gungwu and former Singapore Writers Festival director Yeow Kai Chai.

It is a “clear-eyed clarion call for gender and linguistic reclamation, searing in its sassy confidence and universal appetite,” the jury added. Prof Tan’s work is an important contribution to the scholarship on migrant workers in Singapore, and also to the wider discussion of the nation’s past, present and future.

The prize was presented at a ceremony attended by several dignitaries, including Harvard President Drew Faust and Singapore ministers. The glitzy event was marked by a sustainability theme, with Prince William wearing a 10-year-old dark green blazer and Mbatha donning a gown made from recycled materials. The bands One Republic and Bastille and the singer Bebe Rexha performed for guests.

The NUS Singapore History Prize will open up its submissions to a wide global audience for the first time this year with an expanded Arts and Multimedia category. The new category, which will mirror the Books category in terms of selection process and eligibility, will recognise artistic and multimedia historical works which engage deeply with Singapore’s history. The submissions will be evaluated by a jury of experts from various disciplines. Submissions will be accepted from around the world from 1 October to 30 November. For more information, visit the NUS Singapore History Prize website.