[QUOTE=On the Farm;3186700]
As I have stated on this BB for the umpteenth time, scientific research indicates that just the opposite is true.[/QUOTE]
wouldyou mind PM-ing me that research? I know the findings of the University of Wageningen point out the complete opposite in warmbloods. They had 4 groups, took x-rays along the way, and euthenised for autopsies as well. I would like to read that. I do think warmbloods and tb’s are way different.
I’ve crossed my finish line too
I’m done.
I hesitated greatly in watching the Derby for obvious reasons. I knew in my heart, it would not be a clean race. I just hope the media will have the decency & respect for Belles & not rebroadcast her accident over & over again, as they did with Barbaro. Being from the SE PA area, I saw the replay more times than necessary.
So then I thought, let’s see what is going on at Rolex. 2 horses euthanized & 1 rider critically injured??? WTH? Rider error, horse error, course error, whatever! Given the recent count of human & horse injuries/deaths, I no longer consider either a sport. I don’t understand how this is acceptable?
I’m done.
DittoI will always watch.
What a gallant filly, I wanted her to win as well. She looked fine crossing the line, IT was well after the finish, cause Big vrown was being ponied and he spooked at her going down.
Poor lovely filly. My heart goes out to her trainer and owners and jockey! :sadsmile:
RIP Sweet filly,prayers for owner and trainer
[QUOTE=ryansgirl;3186643]
Godspeed Eight Belles 
.
I really hate horse racing (along w/ eventing) - I am so tired of horses trying their hearts out only to end up being put down. All for what??
I was sick to my stomach watching them break from the gate… praying that no one got hurt during the race…
RIP little lady… .[/QUOTE]
Are you F’ing insane? DO NOT compare the race industry to eventing. Are people really this stupid? Just because this was televised it will be a big deal…good. IT HAPPENS IN #'s EVERY DAY. Wake up idiots, it is part of racing. Eventers are not throw away horses like race horses…we don’t go threw them like kleenex until we get one that is good. NO COMPARISON. In fact we take their cast-offs and give them a new job and a cushy life. Rant over…Rolex is still pretty fresh in my mind and I think all of us eventers are a little defensive about our sport right now.
Godspeed 8 Belles.
Still in tears. For her, for her people, the groom, the exercise rider. For the foals she’ll never have.
[QUOTE=J. Turner;3186722]
Big Brown looked off walking away out of the winner’s circle and on the turf track. I hope his connections listen to what his body is trying to tell them.[/QUOTE]
I saw that too. They did say prior to the race leaving the barns, that he has bad feet, quarter cracks etc. and that while that wasn’t an issue going into the race, it could be coming out of it. He’s already wearing special shoes, I’m sure they will watch him very closely :yes: He’s a beautiful horse, and a very deserved winner today…Eight Belles’ demise has taken the shine off his win for me, but I wish that fellow the best - he seemed to me to have a very intelligent expression 
I watched her on every replay .Not just her but her feet.I didn’t see a bad step. The only thing we saw was her stretched out on the track and then the 2 equine ambulances[ made me sick ].The next thing we saw was a statement by Dr. Bramlage[sp]. he didn’t say compound. He just said she broke down in both fronts.
I just cannot grasp how she continued to gallop out and just fell. Did anyone see anything before that?Did her jock feel anything?? I just am not getting it. Then again I’m stunned.
RIP beautiful girl:cry:
Walked down the lane, beautiful pastures, babies playing, my horse and her girlfriends ran over. How do they always know? Gave many treats and carrots in Eight Belles’ honor. She sure deserves to be here. Can’t get over her trying as hard as she did and wow, what she did. Nothing else to say.
Back to the race…you know…on replay it almost looks like she hesitates a liitle about a furlong from the finish. I just thought she was tired when she checked a little and put her head up…now my thinking is she did something then and ran on guts, injuring the other.
The blimp shot after the finish sure does NOT look to me like she is moving well, even for an exhausted horse. Before she went down, just didn’t look right.
For those that may wonder, she went down at the first turn and the connections of BB did NOT see it or know about it until they got to the winners circle ceremony and I bet most of the dignitaries were clueless. I doubt 90% of the fans there did either, only those in elevated seats on the first turn would have seen it.
And, no, I will not cash the ticket I had on her.
Sad thing is the winner does look Triple Crown capable…more so then any of the recent wannabes.
a few years ago I really wanted to train racehorses and day after day I’m starting to change my mind.
the glorious moments are great but…
is it really worth it?
does it really matter what horse is the fastest?
in the long run, does it REALLY matter if your horses crosses the wire first on the first saturday in may?
The only reason I can think of to justify horse racing at all is that there are lots of horses who actually seem to like it, it’s just that there are many more who don’t.
horse racing is just f**ked up. It used to be about stamina and usefulness and now it’s just about how much you can juice a horse to MAYBE go 1 1/4 miles.
If I ever do become a trainer, mark my words, I will change this industry!!! I SWEAR!!!
Me too- but prior to that, I was somewhat horrified by the way the outrider pulled him up, forcing him sideways- and then when he dumped Desormeaux going back to the finish area he looked a little weird behind.
From the track vet:
"“She suffered a condylar fracture in her left front, which opened the skin and was contaminated. On the right side, at least one sesamoid was broken. It was a catastrophic injury. It happened on the same stride right in front of the outrider.”
I had such a bad feeling about this Derby that I didn’t even want to see it. I only watched because my barn owner (dressage barn) has a broodmare by Unbridled’s Song that she breeds for the track (has had fillies so far by Afleet Alex and Bluegrass Cat).
You know
ITs the nature of the sport.
They did not broadcast it, cause the cameras were not even on her when she went down. All you saw was a brief shot after Big brown spooked, and they flashed to her on the ground.
Seriously, its very tragic, but I am so tired of all these people saying, OMG I will never watch racing again, I will never watch Eventing again. Fine dont, but spare others the melodrama!
Sorry it just gets old.
Horses break down, and die. it happens more than anyone sees or hears about it. You not watching it is not going to stop it from happening.
Sorry Off soap box! :no:
Eight Belles was my favorite to win, and I was so proud of her when I saw her place second. What an amazing feat for a filly to do.
When I saw her down, I just felt sad and sick. It makes my heart ache that such an athletic and talented filly has lost her life so young.
I won’t stop watching horse racing. It is too much of a family tradition. My grandfather owned racehorses and I watch the Derby in his honor. But I know my grandfather would be so sad to know such an amazing filly is gone.
Rest in Peace, Eight Belles, you are truly an inspiring horse.
[QUOTE=Sannois;3186756]
ITs the nature of the sport.
They did not broadcast it, cause the cameras were not even on her when she went down. All you saw was a brief shot after Big brown spooked, and they flashed to her on the ground.
Seriously, its very tragic, but I am so tired of all these people saying, OMG I will never watch racing again, I will never watch Eventing again. Fine dont, but spare others the melodrama!
Sorry it just gets old.
Horses break down, and die. it happens more than anyone sees or hears about it. You not watching it is not going to stop it from happening.
Sorry Off soap box! :no:[/QUOTE]
I agree with this. However, it is terribly tragic about Eight Belles. RIP, girl. 
Findeight, i saw the same thing…she put her head up for a moment like she was thinking about pulling up. I wasn’t sure if I saw what I thought I saw but I must have…
Very sad. I just feel sick.
[QUOTE=J. Turner;3186722]
Big Brown looked off walking away out of the winner’s circle and on the turf track. I hope his connections listen to what his body is trying to tell them.[/QUOTE]
My non-horsey husband saw it too. Not Quite Right. I hope they go over him with a fine tooth comb.
[QUOTE=Beverley;3186750]
Me too- but prior to that, I was somewhat horrified by the way the outrider pulled him up, forcing him sideways- and then when he dumped Desormeaux going back to the finish area he looked a little weird behind.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, taht looked like a breakdown waiting to happen. I was going to start another thread on that subject, asking was that a bit rough, guess I got my answer.
Why this age group?
A friend just asked me a question for which I have no answer; Why are the Triple Crown races for three year olds rather than older horses?remember Samuel Riddle thought the Derby distance around two turns was too much to ask of three year olds; and so, Manof War did not enter the Derby
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