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No gossip or rumors or even snark here . . . just a tip of the hat to Eight Belles, the filly who came in second to the amazing Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby.
After crossing the finish line, Eight Belles collapsed with two broken ankles and was euthanized immediately.
Eight Belles (L) finishes second behind Big Brown (R) in the 134th Kentucky Derby.
Image: Used courtesy of www.newscom.com
Eight Belles (R) and Bob Black Jack (L) running the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008.
Image: Used courtesy of www.newscom.com.
here here ruth..i am in total agreement with you!!the lady belles won the derby cause she was clean!!i would have been very upset if b.b. won the triple crown..we should all start calling her the derby winner..god i am still sick about her..she was sooo cute with larry and soo graceful when she raced”all biz”
It has been over two straight months after Eight Belles went to the greener pastures. The winning spirit of Eight Belles still captivates me. We all know NOW Big Brown was doped when he ‘won’. Eight Belles IS the TRUE CHAMP! Rest in peace, Eight Belles, you are the true winner of the Derby 08!!!
How much was Eight Belles insured for? I can’t find that info any where.
RIP Eight Belles….
shame that filly couldn’t of had a longer life they should have never raced her…..young horses should n ot be allowed to race especially under at least 5
I beleive there has to be some changes. I think PETA is right. A horse loves to run so get rid of the whips when the horse is tired let them stop.And if youre going to run a Triple Crown what wrong with making it for four or five year olds?these horses are not three years old when they race there only two.And to race the fillys against the boys, I dont think so,Thats why the made a triple crown for the girls.I read where someone said racing a horse without a whip is like racing a car without a steering wheel. Common Ive never seen a whip used to stear a horse thought that was what the bit and reigns were for. Horses are pack animals and love to be turned out and run.Keeping them in there stall all day except for the time they get to workout should not be a way to live.And yes i have a horse got him as a three year old and taught him to run with a simple little “lets go” Would never think of using a whip.What happened is a shame,and unless they make some changes many more beautiful horses will be destroyed. Let these horses live, they love to run and they will on there own power,if no one has a whip let the best horse win.
What a tragedy! A beautiful horse runs her heart out and dies, everyone I have talked with in the last few days is heart sick over this. I
sincerely hope somebody does something to stop this from happening again. I’m from Kentucky we have grown up with horse racing, but this sweetie was not ready or strong enough to withstand the physical pressure on her body.
I hope her owner and trainer feel half as bad as I do over this. I want to know she was loved, she certainly will not be forgotten.
I would like to see the Kentucky Derby known from here on out as the “Eight Belles Kentucky Derby presented by Yum” or whomever, forever honoring the filly and the only horse to have been lost at the derby. Rest in peace brave girl.
RIP Eight Belles……
To all people who have no heart and decide to race horses…this is what happens when you start them too early or run them too hard you end up killing them. people that race horse all i have to say is that you know what you’re doing and most of you don’t care then there are those that have hearts and actually care for their horses rather than just see them as an income…it’s a shame that this sport/business has come to this point where you can choose to euthinize them on the track..it is completely inhumane. if you are going to put them down then do off the track or help them…
once again RIP Eight Belles…we love and miss you!!!!!!!
she was a beatiful horse the owner dosen’t even care he already has his econd filly ready to run a race to him it’s all about money but to me you are ass if the owner ever gat’s a chance to read this i would wan’t him to know take your money and run because someday karma will get you eight belles ran her little heart out and still beat most of the boys and i know she’s somewhere in heaven in a green feild with barboro and george washington and there all running around chasing eachother r.i.p eight belles we will miss you.
“These beautiful creatures are there to race for humans’ enjoyment.”?
Unbelievable. That same argument could be used to justify fighting dogs or roosters; since human pleasure and monetary gain trumps the welfare of the animal, why not sanction those activities, too?
I had been wavering in my opinion about the ethics of racing horses but not anymore. When an animal has to be put down, it is sad but necessary. When an animal has to be put down because of an injury sustained in an activity created and managed by human beings, it is morally and ethically reprehensible. I very much hope that Eight Belles’ death speeds the decline of this “sport” so that other “beautiful creatures” are spared her fate.
I am only an animal lover and know very little about horses. I have cried for 3 days now over the lose of this beautiful girl. My prayers are for all that will miss her.
This has been a very sad two days since this tragic accident for myself, some people don’t understand and say it was just a horse, I know it is just a horse. I have horses and know things can occur, it makes me sad, i can’t help it and I can’t erase the images out of my head. I knew the moment they pulled the ambulances around so that nobody could see it was not going to be a good outcome. I have read a lot of blogs on sites and for anyone to say these magnificant creatures are mistreated are so mistaken they have a better life than most humans have and anyone to say its abuse and these people did not care about this horse, they are crazy he is having her cremated and they did an autopsy on her! It was tragic it happened on live tv, she was the only girl, she came in 2nd, she ran a couragous race and it breaks my heart for everyone that loved her. RIP.
Denise, I agree whole heartedly about “the real sadness” of horse racing. I too have a rescued race horse. Great granddaughter of Northern Dancer, whose original owner figured she was bound for greatness on the track. So, he beat her when she didn’t run as expected. After he figured that she wasn’t going to make him any money, he left her out in the pasture with too small a halter on. As she grew, the halter actually grew into her head, and became covered by skin. It had to be surgically removed.
She came to us as a 4 year old, is now 12, and hopefully will live another 18+ years as all horses should.
RIP Eight Belles. Hopefully, you taught the world a valuable lesson.
RIP Eight Belles. I loved watching you run. You had alot of great races ahead of you. You stood up to the boys and showed them YOU ARE A WINNER! You will be sadly missed.
I said a prayer right before the horses were loaded into their gates. And when the race finished, I breathed a sigh of relief. Then, when I saw Big Brown buck his jockey I knew something was wrong. Big Brown had caught a glimpse of Eight Belles. For the next two hours, I cried my eyes out for a horse I had never heard of until that race. A horse who clearly ran the race of her life. When I think about what she must have been thinking after she fell, it breaks my heart. I’m saddened that someone she knew wasn’t there to comfort her when she passed to the Rainbow Bridge. I hope she is enjoying her first few days in greener pastures, hopefully with Barbaro and all the others who met untimely deaths.
Eight Belles was galloping on her left lead when she crossed the finish line. Halfway through the gallop out turn she switched to her right lead – unusual for a horse on a left turn. The jockey felt the change in her gallop and tried to pull her up – but she went down.
If you want real sadness – look at the thousands of ex-racehorses, washed up by the age of 3 and 4 years old that are sent to auction, then wind up being shipped to slaughterhouses outside the US.
I own one of the lucky ones – a 5 year ex-racehorse, purchased off the track.
well said carol..lady belles did have the best of the best..jones an co. are the best and my heart aches for them as i only knew her from afar and i loved her ,i am sure they have enough things weighing on their minds let alone useless banter from those that do not understand..her ears and tail were up like flags in the wind as she turned to the backstretch..not a sign of a horse in trouble
This filly had the best of the best. She deserves to be honored. Sham on you people that know nothing about these wonderful horses and the treatment they get. My heart hurts for everyone involved with this horse. I know she was loved and she knew it also.
Diana you’re wrong!! The track officials put Eight Belles down!!! Mr. Jones didnt even know what happened!! And they had to put her down she was thrashing and would have hurt herself more! And how could they move her?!!!! SHE HAD TWO BROKEN ANKLES!!! Horses carry most of their weight on their front legs! Even if there was a machine that could transport her it would have terrified her more!! Get your facts straight and think before you accuse!
I agree with Lavictus blog. It is a cruel world and these magnificent animals should not be made to run these races, being whipped and driven to run to there deaths! Why couldn’t they medicate her for pain and explore all options off the track? If people insist on running these races then why can’t they make it safer for the horse and wait ubtil thay are 4 years old. Eight Belles-rest in peace sweet girl! As for the people who collected on her win earnings-I hope God can forgive your cruelty.