People News
By M&C People May 4, 2008, 2:36 GMT
Kentucky Derby's Eight Belles, R.I.P.
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Older Talkback
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Heartbreaking.That story makes my heart hurt. She ran herself to death. It doesn't see right.
Previous to the race, her ankles were bruised, according to reports.
She had never been in such a strenuous race before.
Since horse racing is about money (not about horses), could we suggest that the uncaring owners of these 'breakdown' horses, be fined an amount of MONEY that is in the same denomination as the money that they were planning to win at their horses' expense?
It's absolutely unbelievable to me how many people who refer to themselves as 'in the industry', whereas it refers to this sad excuse of a 'sport', continue to defend it, and relentlessly categorize people such as myself as unintelligent, and uneducated in the 'sport of kings'. Make no mistake, these idiots profess a love for the animals involved, but it is not a love for the animal's well being, it is a love for what the animal can do for them while they are running it to death. They don't care, and this stupidity should be banned. Funny thing....did you notice that this article is in the 'entertainment' section? Not a sport? Correct!
Woops! I meant 'People' section. I guess I'm just stupid.....
I don't like this sport. It's brutal and cruelty to animals. If that Horse was not running...it would not have occurred. I say ban horse racing.
it's all about the almighty dollars
Am I correct in believing that she was a yearling? I've heard people saying it, but I thought the lowest age they raced was two-year-olds-- even though that's just as bad, but seriously, a YEARLING? That's still a baby! If it's true, she wouldn't even have been weaned for more than a few months. :-(
Sad, sad, sad. It took this, at long last, to get me off of horseracing forever.
She was not a yearling, but she was still a baby. I believe her owners\connections DO care but they've become so businesslike they've become blind.
I modified the Elton John tribute to Princess Di...
Goodbye America's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
Now you belong to heaven
And the stars spell out your name
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your hoofbeats always follow you
Along Kentucky's greenest hills
Your candle's burned out long before
Your legend never will
my hart is breaking for the entire eight belles family. i hate horse racing and wish these things would stop happening to the poor horses. rest in peace sweet belle.
I know horses. I show them, I have grew up being surrounded by them, and my family has been involved in horse racing since the 60s. I don't know why this vet didn't suggest this, but it is clear to me and many other experienced horse people I know (including vets) that the horse broke one of it's ankle during the race. This horse was one of those horses that runs through pain because they strive too much. This is common in horses. After ignoring the injury for so long and compensating with her other front leg she eventually shattered the other. For reasons I won't say, this was completely the trainers fault. Horses NEVER race two days in a row in such strenuous races at the age of 2. their joints are too undeveloped. She won a race the day before which the trainer entered because of his greed. This most definitely added to the strain on her muscles and bones.
It makes me so upset that humans develop genetically , over time, an animal that can do what THEY want them to do. It is not about the horse being proud of what it has done. It is about training that is relentless, big money, big EGOS, and 'tradition' in Kentucky. Let's all dress up in our finest and show off how important we are that we are owners of a horse that has been 'driven' all it's life to perform. How different is this from the Greyhound races, the dog fight rings, the chicken fights and on and on. It is more spectacular, and usually one of the participants does not die.. butwhat does all of this say about us.. about humans who will whip, yell, drive, push a horse beyond its level to stop when it has broken both ankles? Shame on those who are a part of the abuse of animals in any way. 'Bless the beasts and the children.. for in this world, they have no choice, they have no voice.' Fortunately, she is now out of her pain and abuse.
i feel bad about the poor horse..
now if it had been geo. bush i'd be happy as hell.
damn i hate that thing with a passion
I am so sad.... This little filly ran against all those colts and still kicked there butt.... she just happened to continue running up to heaven.... We will miss u so Much Eight Belles.... You were such an inspiration.... We will not forget u...
May god let u and Barbaro run free up there in heaven....
Use those wings and fly high cause u will be missed down here.
WE LOVE U..
SINCERELY
SARAH
YOUR #1 FAN...
R.I.P EIGHT BELLES
R.I.P BARBARO
they should not have racing! that poor mare didnt do anything and she had to die!!!!!!
in the end she will be in a better place...but as we all share the hard fall of her we still treasure all her amazing virtues!!
This is to all you animal rights idiots who have no idea what a sportsman is. These are animals ANIMALS not people get a grip. This is 'The Sport of Kings' and you simple minded commoners should understand that this happens on the track all the time. This is simply no big deal yes it is sad but again these are ANIMALS. And why feel so sorry for race horses? They live in grander style than most of you idiots do. And anyway farm horses have a much harder life than racehorses do. So calm down get a grip on life come down here and learn to boar hunt and find a better cause than trying to be the protector of animals. Deo Vindice
It is sad that she was bred to Race and Raced to die. She ran with everything she had and may have been the onlyone with a chance of beating Big Brown. I hope the media doesnt slaughter it all over the news, things happen and hopefully people in 'the industry' will take this and move forward. Dont push them to their limit..they are animals not gods, they are not invincible.
Some of you people are idiots. This horse did not race two days in a row, open your eyes. Her trainer, owner and jocky are not the ones at fault for this, it was purely accident. Yes, horses are raced at a young age, but these people are mourning right now alongside half the fans out there. Why should we, the public have the audacity to criticize these people for something they couldn't predict...? I pity your quickness to lay blame in those who are not at fault. She was a good horse, and I for one will remember her as such.
Cant we stop arguing about how they mistreated the beautiful filly and just remember her and her amazing run. Hindsight is always 20/20, so rather than playing the blame game, lets take time to remember and love her spirit, beauty, and short life that she had. It's terrible and I shed many tears over her too, but lets not forget the filly in the midst of the arguing over who is to blame. Rest in peace beautiful girl - I hope you're running happily and pain-free wherever you are...
Eight Belles was NOT raced the day before. Not that I know if that matters or not, but it was her jockey who raced a different filly the day before. She wasn't run two days in a row, so that was obviously not the cause. And she was 3 years old- also too young, I agree, but before we all judge - at least get the facts straight. she was amazing and will be missed.
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