Jeff ParkerMay 4th, 2008 - 05:12:48

Heartbreaking.That story makes my heart hurt. She ran herself to death. It doesn't see right.

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PrteMay 4th, 2008 - 05:58:45

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?

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JMaxxMay 4th, 2008 - 06:56:31

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!

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JMaxxMay 4th, 2008 - 06:59:29

Woops! I meant 'People' section. I guess I'm just stupid.....

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This is why...May 4th, 2008 - 12:57:56

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.

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alsoMay 4th, 2008 - 12:59:48

it's all about the almighty dollars

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CaseyMay 4th, 2008 - 18:02:09

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. :-(

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Belle's GirlMay 4th, 2008 - 19:20:01

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

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rosemaryMay 4th, 2008 - 19:29:28

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.

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RandomMay 4th, 2008 - 20:39:03

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.

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