May 5, 2008
You know, I always wondered what PETA thought about events like the Kentucky Derby. I mean, you aren’t
killing animals and using them for fur, but jockeys do whip the horse to make it go faster for a majority of the race. And how did they feel about Eight Belles, the horse who was euthanized on the track after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday? Well, lets just say they weren’t too pleased…From Sports Illustrated,
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking the suspension of Eight Belles’ jockey after the filly had to be euthanized following her second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Gabriel Saez was riding Eight Belles when she broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. She was euthanized on the track.
PETA faxed a letter Sunday to Kentucky’s racing authority claiming the filly was “doubtlessly injured before the finish” and asked that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles’ death is investigated.
PETA also asked that Saez’s purse of $400,000 be revoked if Saez is found to have somehow been the cause of the horse’s death, a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of racehorses, and a move to softer, artificial surfaces for all courses. It seems as though a compromise needs to be in order; horseracing needs to make some changes with serious injuries to Barbaro last year and Eight Belles this year, but that safety will be weighed against cost, and some of the hard line rules PETA is requesting probably aren’t fair to implement across the board (horses aren’t created equal, so how can you make them stop racing at the same time when one is clearly still able to race and is still profitable?). Furthermore, you also have to deal with the fact that ‘risk’ is something that is inherent within the sport. Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown’s trainer, Rick Dutrow Jr. was quoted as saying,
“To make it safer, don’t race the horses, don’t train them, then they’ll live good lives out on the farm,” Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said.
“But you have to train them for races, you have to run them and that’s where the problems start to set in. They have to be asked to run and sometimes in a particular minute, they’re asked to run when they’re not ready to give it and then it hurts.”
So, how do you make a sport that is inherently dangerous, waning in popularity, and in need of added excitement, safer for the participants? Apparently, that’s the $400,000 question.
Sports Illustrated: PETA wants Eight Belles jockey suspended
Yahoo! Sports: Tragedy overshadows unbeaten Big Brown’s Kentucky Derby win
5 comments
I have been a fan of horse racing for over 40 years and have bought many retired thoroughbreds. The racehorse is treated like a king or queen. They get the best care, the best food, people who love them and when they retire after a short racing career, they usually go to loving homes. Unfortunately, there is a risk in every sport, whether it be basketball, hockey, football or horse racing. However, I would like to see some changes made in the sport. Less whipping, waiting to run horses at a later stage in their career when their bones are more settled. Man O’ War, one of the greatest racehorses of all time, was not run in the Derby because his trainer felt it was too early in the year for him. And he was built much stronger than today’s thoroughbred. I would also like to see some stronger blood introduced into the thoroughbred line but I think it would be difficult to do that seeing their lineage goes back hundreds of years. But things could be changed. Many people may not have noted that Michael Matz’s horse (Barbaro’s trainer) broke down on the track on Friday from the same injury that Barbaro suffered. I do not know if he was euthanized. So the best I can hope is that the sport of horse racing goes through some changes for the benefit of the horse. These horses truly do love to run as they have so much heart.
Andrea’s comment is the second one I have read this evening from a supporter of horse racing who obviously is an animal lover as well. I have to admit I have been pretty solid in my lack of support for horse racing and have always been surprised there have not been more calls to not just make it safer, but abolish it. After the situation this weekend, combined with Barbaro’s suffering, I think horse racing is at a real crossroads here. I still would prefer it didn’t exist, but when I read comments like Andrea’s I do try to find a way to justify it continuing in a radically modified manner. I guess I just don’t buy the theory these horses want to do this or are born to do this. But it is nice to hear from those who care for animals, regardless of how I feel about this industry.
I agree with both comments. I am an avid animal lover, member of PETA and understand the opinion that horse racing is “bad”. However, I am concerned with the public’s reaction and blame of the jockey. He whipped his mare, but no harder than normal for the industry. I would be more interested to find out if her trainer, owner or veteranarian were aware of any injuries that should have prevented her from running. That she broke both front legs is so unusual it can’t be a fluke and is certainly not from being whipped to go faster, but rather very likely the result of negligence from behind the scenes. It is tragic, I can’t even bring myself to watch it, however…I am not a supporter of the racing industry, I can’t bear to see the animals get hurt. But we should not point fingers at jockeys(in most cases) or call for the end of the sport. Instead, we need to focus on more rigid health and soundness standards for horses and older racing ages.
Great comments everyone. Andrea’s comment about horses running at a later age is something that seems like it should be implemented…horses that are older with stronger bodies would seemingly prevent some of these injuries. I can’t help but agree with SA’s comments as well. I’m not really sure why horse racing exists at all, especially when it seems to be waning in popularity and the horses at times are put at unnecessary risk. Finally, Callie’s comment is great. I was initially worried that all PETA supporters had “gone off the deep end on this one”. Going after the jockey was not the right move, as he did nothing that was out of the ordinary for the sport. Checking with the trainer and the owner and doctors to make sure there was no neglect…PETA should be focusing their energies on that cause.
As a horse lover and owner I have to admit that 8 Bell’s death on the track struck me harder than most. One of my show horses is a mare and we enjoy taking the fight to the boys and beating them at their own game. Taking a more proactive approach my wife and I went to a kill-lot and bought a broken down race horse slated to be sent to Mexico the next day to be ground into dog food. He loaded into the trailer like an old pro and got off just as easy. He appeared so well adjusted that we saddled him up and took him on a trail ride with our championship winning show horses. Rock solid, and sound he held his own against seasoned vets. He’ll back-up and even turn right so he’s received more than the standard training. He’s about 150 pounds under weight, and in less than a week’s time he’s looking like a whole new horse. The sheen has returned to his coat, and there is a warm glow in his eye. I would like to think that perhaps the spirit of 8 bells lives in his renewed soul. There needs to be more support for horse rescues, and those that support these athletes that have given their all.
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