The Elephant In The Stable

The winner of the Derby contest this year was the delightful DadaMama. She picked all the money horses, including Big Brown to win. (Lea, you came in close again - might have to send you a little consolation prize.) Thanks to all that participated.

The Derby shocked the hell out of me this year, in two ways. One, the incredible victory of Big Brown easily winning from the 20th post position left me in awe of this horse's power and beauty. And then, like whiplash, the exhilaration turned to dismay when Eight Belles broke down. And this is the problem for me and horse racing. On days like Saturday it seems little more than a blood sport. As inhumane as fox hunting or bullfighting. It sickens me and it makes me feel like I will swear it off for good. Then I pick up the paper and read Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown's jockey, retell the race from his perspective and I get goosebumps. I know that I am not going to be able to stop loving racing. It's a part of me. (At eight years old I had a picture of Stevie Cauthen on Affirmed  next to my bed for God sakes).  But I can't support it unless the industry makes real changes to lessen the risks to horses. The only good that can come out of Eight Belles death, and Barbaro's before her, is that it puts pressure on the powers that be in thoroughbred racing to finally make some of the real changes that have been talked about for years. No matter how expensive, disruptive, or tradition-breaking. I am hoping this beautiful filly will at least have that lasting legacy.

Comments

[anastasia beaverhausen]

Amen.

[kara]

yes, it will be interesting to see what if anything is done. at least eight belles exposed the darker side of the sport...

personally, my derby days are over.

[DadaMama]

I can't believe I picked all the money horses. I don't think it's ever happened before!

They race the horses too young. Most thoroughbreds are retired by the time other breeds are just starting in training. Also, a lot of horses get screwed by the group birthday on January 1st. I used to work at the large animal hospital at our local university, and most of the equine patients seemed to be race horses. They get injured a lot. It's a shame, expecially for someone like me who just thinks horses are amazingly beautiful and noble animals who deserve much better treatment.