I didn't get to see the running of the Kentucky Derby today, but I did see the highlights tonight on the news. How extremely sad that the filly that placed 2nd in the Derby broke both front ankles just after crossing the finish line. She was euthanized on the track, when the vets and owners determined there was nothing humanely possible that could be done for her.

RIP Eight Belles.

Basset_Lover

Yea we watched it. It was so sad that the horse had to be put to sleep. Big Brown or somthing like that won, I'm no sure about his name. That poor horsey.

I didnt see it either but I seen it on the news. It is creating quite a stir too about the TB racing industry practices of running them so young. Its probably taboo for even mentioning it here so I will leave it at that.

I seen a picture of her while she was laying sternal on the track and she was such a pretty filly. Pretty gray color. She had a soft eye too, not something you find too often in TB's. It brought back very sad memories of putting a coming 3 year old to sleep 11 years ago that I had worked with since a baby, he was my next show horse and suddenly got a bad case of colic that after 10 days hospitalization he went severely lamanitic and had to put to sleep. I was only 15 years old and had I had to make "the" decision no horse owner ever wants to make. Especially on a young horse who hasnt had a chance to really live life. His name was Sweetie. Seeing her lay on the track just brought that back clear as the day it happened.

I had read that all the horses except for one were releated and they all had problems with their hooves and legs. They are also related to Barbaro who also broke a leg and had to be put down. Big Brown had only ran in three other races because of leg problems.

Controversey begins. Yes most TB's are related and most all TB's go back to a mere handfull of Arabian stallions centuries ago called Foundation sires. Some say it was only 3 sires some say it was a few more. I think the biggest problem lies in the age at which they are asked to run. Asking so much from an immature horse no matter how structurally correct it is, is going to break down. A horses true potential could be better realized starting around age 5. It would be an act of God to get the Jockey Club to even move the age for race horses to 4 years so 5 years would be when pigs fly. International sport horses and show jumpers that are shown at the age of 7 are considered babies in the ring compared to the seasoned horses. The TB industry has a lot of practices in the name of tradition that need changed. The old tradition of a horse turns another year old Jan. 1 has a big influence on how well they do as 3 year olds in the spring racing season. They start training the colts soon after the first of the year they turn 2 and a colt that actually doesnt turn 2 until May is going to have a disadvantage to a colt who turns 2 in Jan or Feb. Part of the reason Eight Belles probably even placed 2nd in a field of top colts was because she had an earlier foaling date than most of the colts there. If they were raced at 5 or even 4 they would all be on a more level playing field. AQHA and other breed assoc.'s used to follow suit with the TB industry on birth dates and emphasis on 3 year old performances and some still do but 4 year old and aged classes and maturities are becoming more popular. I hope they only become more popular. Perhaps, just perhaps it will have a miniscule influence on the Jockey Club.

To ask so much of a horse of that age is sad, just my opinion. I never broke my horses prior to age 3. They were never ridden by an adult until age 3, since I didn't feel they were mature enough to ask them for more. We did all the ground work, the saddling and all, but to ask them to bear the weight of an adult, went against everything I had learned.

It's actually not at all strange to wait until age 3 or more to start riding Arabians. I know a lot of Quarter horse people start ridign at age 2.

As mentioned, these TB horses are put through so much stress at such a young age. They are expected not only to bear the weight of an adult, although a very small adult, plus they are expected to race at top speed. Their bones and muscles are not done developing, it's a wonder their are not more physical breakdowns.

No matter what, she was a lovely horse, who gave it her all, just to satisfy her owners and her jockey.

Basset_Lover