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Topic: Eight Belles
| Author | Message |
| catlondon | Posted – 5/6/2008 2:45:34 PM | show profile I'm a horse racing fan (going to the track this weekend) but I'm rethinking what the sport means following the death of Eight Belles at the Derby. Anyone else follow racing? Is the breakdown of Eight Belles just getting a lot of attention because it was a high-profile race or is there something rotten in the state of horse racing? |
| wineaux | Posted – 5/6/2008 5:03:33 PM | show profile I read an article earlier today that the Humane Society has called the industry to task for breeding certain characteristics in horses that make them fast but easily hurt. I believe the description said something about very skinny legs that break easily with larger, barrelled torsos. I don't know much about horse breeding, or the treatment of racehorses but when an animal is used for sport and has to be shot for serious injuries moments after the race is over, I shudder to think what is done to horses who are injured who aren't worth millions to their owners. I anticipate a lot of articles coming out soon on the very subject you mentioned. I'll keep a lookout, and will you as well? If I see something, I'll post it here. |
| catlondon | Posted – 5/6/2008 5:33:49 PM | show profile wineaux: Here is a good commentary that gives a little context to the issue of breeding. The breeding issue got some play when Barbaro broke down at the Preakness two years ago. Tragically, another horse, Chelokee, broke down at Churchill Downs the Friday before the Derby. He currently has 60% chance of survival after surgery. Here's the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401556.html And, if anyone feels so moved, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is here: http://www.trfinc.org/index.php Sorry to sound like a fundraiser. I actually just became aware of them. |
| al medio | Posted – 5/6/2008 8:30:26 PM | show profile I'm a thoroughbred race fan myself ( Saratoga opens July 23) so Catlondon I write this post with envy in my heart. Palm Meadows Training Center is the most modern facility in the nation, but their program needs to be examined. Two of the best horses of this century Barbaro and Chelokee both had their careers cut short and what did they have in common Michael Matz their trainer at Palm Meadows. |
| wineaux | Posted – 5/6/2008 11:36:08 PM | show profile thanks for the article, Cat. So, it's not the sport, but the breeders and the lack of knowledge on the buyer's part of the breeder's practices and lack of scruples. I wonder if there are any advocay groups out there that want to call the breeders to task for their recklessness, putting profits before the health and safety of a living creature. Horses are so often abused and neglected because the tremendous amount of care and the vet costs. It really breaks my heart that such astoundingly beautiful and gentle giants get so habitually mistreated. |
| Queen Kong | Posted – 5/7/2008 3:44:19 AM | show profile Perhaps the euthanizing of Eight Belles while she lay on the race track, within view of horse race fans and television cameras, may finally force changes in today's racing industry. Today's race horses are not bred for strength and endurance, but for speed. They're being pushed to go faster and faster. Her breeder, owner(s), trainer and jockey are as much to blame as the standards of a racing federation that sanctions expectations based on results that go hand-in-hand with endangering the wellbeing of the horses. |
| reporterwriter | Posted – 5/7/2008 12:04:25 PM | show profile >> Is the breakdown of Eight Belles just getting a lot of attention because it was a high-profile race or is there something rotten in the state of horse racing?<< The LA Times did an investigative piece after Barbaro's accident showing an increase over the years in breakdowns on the track. Yes, one could say there's something rotten in horse racing: irresponsible breeding to create speed without the structure to support it. |
