OT - Kentucky Derby

I am not an animal rights type of person, but I find this horse racing to be a little hypocritical in our country.

I just watched the Kentucky Derby, a big celebration with people dressed in costumes, drunk, etc. It is a big tradition in this country.

Then, right after the race, the second place horse breaks two ankles and is immediately killed. This horse was pretty much forced to race - and should not have died today.

Now, how the hell is this any better than the events of dog fighting that everyone was so outraged by not so long ago? Why is horse racing, which is obviously dangerous to the horses, so accepted?

I don't know, just seems weird to me. Just would like to hear other's thoughts.

Same reason as anything government does.

(1) It's easy to track, and therefore tax, so it's acceptable form of gambling.

(2) People don't have horses as pets generally, so there isn't the same emotional attachment to the species, so people don't demand Congress change it.

I feel so bad for eight bells , they should have tried to repair her ankels instead of killing her right on the track:(

I feel so bad for eight bells , they should have tried to repair her ankels instead of killing her right on the track:(

There was no chance. When a horse is down on the track like that, as someone who watches the sport nearly every day, I knew it would be sadly tragic.


I've been watching horse racing a long time, I've never seen a horse break both ankles on the same shot (and I've seen way worse spills during races).

I am not an animal rights type of person, but I find this horse racing to be a little hypocritical in our country.

I just watched the Kentucky Derby, a big celebration with people dressed in costumes, drunk, etc. It is a big tradition in this country.

Then, right after the race, the second place horse breaks two ankles and is immediately killed. This horse was pretty much forced to race - and should not have died today.
Now, how the hell is this any better than the events of dog fighting that everyone was so outraged by not so long ago? Why is horse racing, which is obviously dangerous to the horses, so accepted?
I don't know, just seems weird to me. Just would like to hear other's thoughts.

It's very, very sad indeed, and I think that "history be darned" they need to go to the synthetic surface, which would GREATLY cut down on the number of these tragic accidents. If not for "history", every race track would already be synthetic surface. In terms of your bolded comments above, however, please give it a rest. Or, at the very least, learn a bit more about a subject before you prattle on about it, because those bolded comments show you know virtually nothing about horse racing. Those animals are treated better than most human beings on this planet.

I feel so bad for eight bells , they should have tried to repair her ankels instead of killing her right on the track:(

A horse ankle isnt like a human's ankle, and this was 2 ankles to boot. It's terribly sad, but there really wasnt anything they could have done. This injury is significantly different than the one to Barbaro that people are some familiar with.

"It's very, very sad, and I think that "history be darned" they need to go to the synthetic surface, which would GREATLY cut down on the number of these tragic accidents. In terms of your bolded comments above, however, please give it a rest. Or, at the very least, learn a bit more about a subject before you prattle on about it, because those bolded comments show you know virtually nothing about horse racing. Those animals are treated better than most human beings on this planet."


Yes, I know little about horse racing. (and I never said I knew a lot by the way)
I do know that the horse was killed. So you think horse racing is fine, o.k., no need to be so defensive.

The horses are bred and trained to race. If they don't want to race enough horse people are around these horses to know better. And if they don't want to race, they certainly wouldn't be in the Kentucky Derby.

There's select instances (such as Teuflesberg last year, if anyone here is like me and follows the sport THAT close) where it happens, but not many, and not at this stage.

Yes, I know little about horse racing. (and I never said I knew a lot by the way)
I do know that the horse was killed. So you think horse racing is fine, o.k., no need to be so defensive.

Perhaps I was a bit harsh, sorry, but it's just annoying to hear an entire sport slagged because of a tragic event. It does happen yes, but sometimes I feel people get more emotional about animals than human beings. A LOT of people die worldwide each and every year from various different forms of and levels of auto racing, yet when some poor bastid dies in an auto race the outcry isnt 1/2 as bad as what I GUARANTEE you will be reading about and seeing on TV for the next week about horse racing in the media.

Hey guys, Habs fan and french on top of it so bare with me.....;)

She was my pick as I always like to go for the filly since I'm not that much of an expert. But you could explain or have you heard what the commentators said about her racing earlier. Did she really had a race yesterday? Could it be possible that they are responsible for racing her too much? Can the jockey have something to do with that? She broke her ankles in deceleration, isn't that not common at all? Usually when they do, aren't they in full speed?

I know tons of questions, but I'm just stunned to have witness the triumph and the tragedy at the same time. Big Brown sure looked impressive and a triple crown contender for sure but that tragedy was just not needed....

Thanks for the answers.....

Perhaps I was a bit harsh, sorry, but it's just annoying to hear an entire sport slagged because of a tragic event. It does happen yes, but sometimes I feel people get more emotional about animals than human beings. A LOT of people die worldwide each and every year from various different forms of and levels of auto racing, yet when some poor bastid dies in an auto race the outcry isnt 1/2 as bad as what I GUARANTEE you will be reading about and seeing on TV for the next week about horse racing in the media.

Because nowadays, people just dont give a **** about other people. Animals on the other hand, alot of those same people are the complete opposite with. Alot, and I mean alot of people care more about animals than people.

Eight Belles was entered in yesterdays Kentucky Oaks, but was scratched to run in this race.

Trainer/jockey combo of Eight Belles (Larry Jones/Gabriel Saez) won with Proud Spell yesterday in the Kentucky Oaks

She wasn't raced too much. Teuflesberg (was in the Kentucky Derby in 2007) was a horse last year who was raced too much (had a similar incident on a synthetic track about 7 months ago, but survived despite running off), and suffered for it (I could go into that, horse fans think it was criminal what happened with him)

The horse breakdowns, people in the sport don't like to say it, but it does happen, and has to be dealt with when it does, and it's been happening too much in high-profile races over the past couple years.

Did she really had a race yesterday? Non.



Could it be possible that they are responsible for racing her too much? Non. La Cheval est trois annees, et cette est seulement elle huit "race" Comment dit-on "race" en Francais? Mon Francais est tres mauvais. :(

Non.


Non. La Cheval est trois annees, et cette est seulement elle huit "race" Comment dit-on "race" en Francais? Mon Francais est tres mauvais. :(

You're french is pretty good. Race is "course" in french.

Thanks a lot!

I feel so bad for eight bells , they should have tried to repair her ankels instead of killing her right on the track:(
It would have been far crueler to try and save her than to euthanize her right there. Horses aren't like people, they can't lie in bed for a month or two while broken ankles heal. They're on their feet pretty much 24/7, and that doesn't work so well when you have two broken ankles.

It would have been far crueler to try and save her than to euthanize her right there. Horses aren't like people, they can't lie in bed for a month or two while broken ankles heal. They're on their feet pretty much 24/7, and that doesn't work so well when you have two broken ankles.

Plus you have issues like laminitis, which is virtually a guarantee in this situation. She already had no legs to stand on.

I am not an animal rights type of person, but I find this horse racing to be a little hypocritical in our country.

I just watched the Kentucky Derby, a big celebration with people dressed in costumes, drunk, etc. It is a big tradition in this country.

Then, right after the race, the second place horse breaks two ankles and is immediately killed. This horse was pretty much forced to race - and should not have died today.

Now, how the hell is this any better than the events of dog fighting that everyone was so outraged by not so long ago? Why is horse racing, which is obviously dangerous to the horses, so accepted?

I don't know, just seems weird to me. Just would like to hear other's thoughts.

As mentioned Horses (or any other animal for that matter) aren't like humans, you can't put a cast on the ankles and have the horse on crutches or have it sit in a wheel chair while it heals. They weren't cruel to the animal they had no choice but to put her down. If there was a chance to save her they would have I'm sure having a horse that comes in 2nd place in the Kentucky Derby means a lot of money for breeding purposes.

As for the comparisons to dogfighting please there is a clear difference. The horses in horse racing aren't raised to be mean by being neglected and tortured. The horses also don't beat and bite the **** out of each other like in dog fights.

I think there's too many horses in the race. The loser horses should be sent on their way. The field is full of losers and horses that serve a strategic purpose to another horse.
There will be a trainwreck eventually, involving horses and people.

As for treatment, I think if people are going to complain about the treatment of racehorses, they better take a long hard look at how we treat our non-pets. Eat 'em, turn 'em into clothes, shoot 'em. Think your dinner was treated better than these horses? Hell, even the filly that died had freaking braids.

Usually, I would say the amount of horses causes an inordinate amount to cluttering but:

(1) No one was beating Big Brown. If a horse wins from the 20-post, he was going to win no matter what. It is simply unfathomable that a horse with his running style was able to win like that.

(2) If you watch the replay (especially the overhead replay), there was no rider who had to severely check his horse. There was bumping at the start, but that happens in a lot of races.

Usually, I would say the amount of horses causes an inordinate amount to cluttering but

The Aussies version of the Kentucky Derby is the Melbourne Cup, held in November. I've only watched it a few times, but they had 24 or 25 horses a few years back, and an Aussie friend of mine said it's not unheard of they will race 30 in that sucker. :amazed: I think it's better than our race, because it's for 3 year olds and older, so you can have repeat champions, which adds a layer of coolness IMO. I dont remember the exact distance, but it's WAY longer than our longest Triple Crown race (Belmont)......the thing seems to go on forever! If it's something anyone wants to check out, 8 Mile Creek in Manhattan (Aussie bar) throws an absolutely wild/rocking party around the race. It's so much fun you dont even have to give a rats azz about the horse race. Plus, you can eat kangaroo, which believe it or not is really delicious.

The Aussies version of the Kentucky Derby is the Melbourne Cup, held in November. I've only watched it a few times, but they had 24 or 25 horses a few years back, and an Aussie friend of mine said it's not unheard of they will race 30 in that sucker. :amazed: I think it's better than our race, because it's for 3 year olds and older, so you can have repeat champions, which adds a layer of coolness IMO. I dont remember the exact distance, but it's WAY longer than our longest Triple Crown race (Belmont)......the thing seems to go on forever! If it's something anyone wants to check out, 8 Mile Creek in Manhattan (Aussie bar) throws an absolutely wild/rocking party around the race. It's so much fun you dont even have to give a rats azz about the horse race. Plus, you can eat kangaroo, which believe it or not is really delicious.
I looked it up, out of curiosity. It's 3200 meters, or 1.988 miles (the Belmont, for those who don't know, is a mile and a half). That is a ridiculously long race.

I was talking to a horse racing enthusiast and he says this injury happens quite frequently.. It's just being blown up and made such a deal b/c it happen on such a large stage

The trainers can be at fault during this b/c the horses aren't fully developed and horse racing fans would like to see regulations for the age and development of horses before they can race certain distances

Many fans were actually frustrated at this event and the Barbaro event b/c many people only show sympathy for horses in the spotlight.. Where are they when this happens to other horses?

I am not an animal rights type of person, but I find this horse racing to be a little hypocritical in our country.

I just watched the Kentucky Derby, a big celebration with people dressed in costumes, drunk, etc. It is a big tradition in this country.

Then, right after the race, the second place horse breaks two ankles and is immediately killed. This horse was pretty much forced to race - and should not have died today.

Now, how the hell is this any better than the events of dog fighting that everyone was so outraged by not so long ago? Why is horse racing, which is obviously dangerous to the horses, so accepted?

I don't know, just seems weird to me. Just would like to hear other's thoughts.

I'm HUGELY against both horseracing and dogfighting. The former is more acceptable because it is a symbol for elitism. It's for the affluent. A gorgeous animal died yesterday because a bunch of rich whores in stupid hats and rich, corporate douchebags love the sport. Oh and a bunch of degenerate gamblers, they are at fault, also. Racing greyhounds is even worse. You know what they do to those poor dogs? We adopted one years ago.

This thread has no real purpose.