The Kentucky Derby: vale Eight Belles

[WarHorse]

The big filly ran a hell of a race, coming out of a tight pack to finish a strong second to Big Brown. Pulling up for the outrider, she fractured her left fore and then her right fore broke taking the weight. She was euthanized minutes later.

The Barbaro saga was bad enough, but at least we had a hero to hope and pray for. It seems the fillies always have something bad happen, if not during the race then as broodmares. Neither Genuine Risk nor Winning Colors ever threw anything that could run.

It's bizarre and sad. Ruffian comes to mind, but she was the Goddess, unbeatable, completely in a class by herself. Eight Belles was a damned fine race horse.

Now she's dead. Just like that.

I think I need a drink.

[Twilight Flyer]

I'm not a horse race fan, but I read about what happened to her. How bad is it that the horse does fine running the race and then has a life-ending injury simply pulling up after the race is over? Very tragic.

:sad:

[countryhorseman]

I'm not a horse race fan, but I read about what happened to her. How bad is it that the horse does fine running the race and then has a life-ending injury simply pulling up after the race is over? Very tragic.

:sad:

The injury of the left fore was probably progressing during the last furlong or so of the race! The horses are so pumped during the run, sometimes they do not notice the pain. As they start slowing after the pole, more stress is actually placed on the front legs, which completed the fracture. She then tries to compensate with the other leg, while still going at a pretty good pace, and the leg could not take the weight!

The problem I see with the fillies running at that young age, is they do no mature as fast as the colts, so the bone is not of the same strength. There are plates that have not completely fused, more so in the fillies than the colts! Reproductive issues in the fillies, are also are a product of training heavily for the Derby contenders. Thus the possible reason for them never throwing winning colts! Just a thought!

It was a shame, she ran one heck of a race against the colts!

[Fredog]

I'm not a horse race fan, but I read about what happened to her. How bad is it that the horse does fine running the race and then has a life-ending injury simply pulling up after the race is over? Very tragic.

:sad:

The injury of the left fore was probably progressing during the last furlong or so of the race! The horses are so pumped during the run, sometimes they do not notice the pain. As they start slowing after the pole, more stress is actually placed on the front legs, which completed the fracture. She then tries to compensate with the other leg, while still going at a pretty good pace, and the leg could not take the weight!

The problem I see with the fillies running at that young age, is they do no mature as fast as the colts, so the bone is not of the same strength. There are plates that have not completely fused, more so in the fillies than the colts! Reproductive issues in the fillies, are also are a product of training heavily for the Derby contenders. Thus the possible reason for them never throwing winning colts! Just a thought!

It was a shame, she ran one heck of a race against the colts!


and they are already blaming the jockey. why dont they blame themselves for a change?

[countryhorseman]

and they are already blaming the jockey. why dont they blame themselves for a change?

I have seen no where that the jockey has been blamed! Watched 2 interviews with the trainer this AM, and no where is the jockey been blamed for wrong doing! In the video that I have watch over and over, there was not real indication of lameness until after the pole! So I cannot see, again, where the jockey did anything wrong!

No where in my post was that stated either!

Of course, the PETA types will all chime in, but that happens every year regardless of the outcome of the race! Heck, I have had them morons at my place a few years ago claiming neglect and abuse of my horses! 2 out of the 5 were put in jail by the Sheriff for outstanding warrants! Idiots!

Edit: Here is a link a story that just posted a few minutes ago! Of course PETA chimed in, but the trainer is behind the actions of the jockey 100%

[WarHorse]

As they start slowing after the pole, more stress is actually placed on the front legs, which completed the fracture. She then tries to compensate with the other leg, while still going at a pretty good pace, and the leg could not take the weight!


Bingo. It's mechanics, pure and simple. Once one thing starts to go, the whole shebang will fall apart at that speed and under those stresses.

The PETA folks can go jump.

[countryhorseman]

Bingo. It's mechanics, pure and simple. Once one thing starts to go, the whole shebang will fall apart at that speed and under those stresses.

The PETA folks can go jump.

Thanks Warhorse! Pretty much how I saw the incident, it sure was a shame, that little gal could run!

Several years back I fostered a racehorse with a similar injury, on one leg! It was a lot of work, and good times and bad, but that big guy now has a great home, and the 14 year old that owns him, has a case full of trophy's and ribbons! It was well worth the effort!

Now to the Preakness! Do ya think Big Brown can pull it off!

[Trukrswyfe]

While you guys despute the details.....

I cried my freaking eyes out, the only philly in the race, the only girl, gave everything she had. Her life in the end. chit Im crying now just typing this,

She will be forever cemented in my memory, well, until I don't have one I guess. :wink:

[countryhorseman]

While you guys despute the details.....

I cried my freaking eyes out, the only philly in the race, the only girl, gave everything she had. Her life in the end. chit Im crying now just typing this,

She will be forever cemented in my memory, well, until I don't have one I guess. :wink:

I agree with you, she will be remembered in my book!

I do not see where there was any dispute here though, just a discussion! And I was sharing an experience with another injured horse! Have been around horse my entire life, and the Thoroughbreds are closest to my heart!

Over the years, there has been many retired race horses come through my place and re-trained to move on to successful second lifes! My former race horse just turned 15 on April 19th - he is a super trail horse and boy can he turn poles!

[Trukrswyfe]

I do not see where there was any dispute here though, just a discussion!Sorry, "you guys" was the media and news, just found this thread to voice my hurt. Not ment to be directed towards board members. And I was sharing an experience with another injured horse! Have been around horse my entire life, and the Thoroughbreds are closest to my heart!

Over the years, there has been many retired race horses come through my place and re-trained to move on to successful second lifes! My former race horse just turned 15 on April 19th - he is a super trail horse and boy can he turn poles!Nice to hear they aren't just dissposable, when they lost their use.

[countryhorseman]

Sorry, "you guys" was the media and news, just found this thread to voice my hurt. Not ment to be directed towards board members. And I was sharing an experience with another injured horse! Have been around horse my entire life, and the Thoroughbreds are closest to my heart!

Nice to hear they aren't just disposable, when they lost their use.

Thanks for the clarification! No, they are not viewed as disposable, at least not for the majority of the industry! There are quite a few organizations that focus on re-training race horses for life after the track. As well as individuals such as myself that have a place for them! The ones I have worked with come from multiple sources and just as many reasons! Retired Thoroughbreds typically continue careers in eventing, dressage, steeplechase, etc.. Retired Quarter Horses find themselves in every discipline imagined!

Of course, the PETA types make horse racing out to be criminal and abusive, but they say the same thing about dog and cat ownership! While there are some abuses, they are not the standard of the industry!

Catch ya later, CH