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Classified: VA Sired, showline male, 6 mo.
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Ruffian, Barbaro, Eight Belles, etal, what are common factors in such racehorse breakdown cases? (45 replies)
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Ever since long ago when the tragedy of the filly :Ruffian" caught my attention, I've been curious to know what factors, if any, the horses who have suffered these kind of injuries, have in common.
Reading the history of Man O' War, it's interesting that his owner Mr. Riddle, refused to race him in the Kentucky Derby because he thought the race was too long and stressful physically for a 3 year old horse that early in the racing season.
Could too much physical stress too early in the season be a factor in some of these situations?
I've been trying to find info on other horses who have sufferred similar breakdowns, because I think it would be interesting to study their pedigrees, compare situations, ages, etc, at which such injuries occur...try to find some possible common denominators that might point to definite causes or things that strongly might contribute to the problem.
GSD and other serious large dog breed fanciers have taken similar actions in looking for and working to avoid contributory factors involved in gastric bloat and torsion. Few serious fanciers of large breeds will feed a large meal of expandable dog food followed by a big drink, to a dog of a breed susceptible to torsion!
If common environmental factors that appear to contribute to breakdown of racehorses can be isolated, then perhaps some of those factors can be avoided. Study of pedigrees and information on the horses themselves. or researching such things as bone density, muscle density, etc, what characteristics of legs and feet are different between horses that do and don't develop problems such as bowed tendons, breakdown or other similar problems, all need to be gathered and studied, to look for common denominators between the animals that break down, and to look for how those who break down, differed from those who don't break down.
So far, from what I've read over the years, I've seen a lot of suggested theories and possibilities, but little data and no mention of common denominators between horses that have broken down, having been investigated.
Racehorses are so strongly bred to run, that they will run just as surely as a bulldog who is bred to hang on, will hold his grip. I don't know if that is gameness, or obsession so strong that in cases of these racehorses, made them keep on going with disastrous results. To add to the problem, horses with broken legs are usually their worst enemy when attempt is made to treat them. Being a herd species and prey species, horses panic easily and fight restraint, etc. Ruffian for example, began fighting and trying to get rid of the cast on her leg as soon as she started waking up from anesthetic, and tore her leg up again in her thrashing. The damage she did to herself in thrashing in addition to the original injury, would require even more extensive surgery to try to repair again, and the vets didn't think she could survive more extensive surgery, which is why she was euthanized. This is typical horse behavior though, and one of the reasons why it's extremely difficult to try to treat horses with broken legs with any chance of successful outcomes.
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In only a few minutes of comparing Barbado and Eight Belles pedigrees, I immediately found common ancestry in their 5 generation pedigrees. I don't know if there's any significance to that or not at this early stage of research, it takes studying that ancestor and their other progeny, etc, to even start trying to determine what if any significance, it has.
Both Eight Belles have a horse named Mr Prospector in their pedigrees, and Eight Belles is linebred on Mr Prospector 3,4
Both horses have numerous lines going back to Nashua.
Barbaro's grandsire is a horse named Hail to Reason, who is also in the pedigree of Eight Belles
Both have a horse named Neactic in their pedigrees
There's quite a bit of common ancestry between Barbaro and Eight Belles that I found in just a few minutes time! |
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I believe the common factor is "Fate" - they just took a bad step while running at full speed. There is no room for error when in a running stride the horse puts 100% of their weight, compounded by the speed and added impact added to their weight (and we're talking 1000 - 1400 lbs or so per animal) - the running stride is a 4-beat, meaning one foot is bearing all weight at once per step. The ankle/fetlock joints are not flexible from side to side, only from front to back. So, if there is a mistep, a hole or uneven footing and the horse steps "just so" it can cause a catestrophic injury such as fracture or shattered bone, or torn ligament (which can also cause permanent lameness).
Similar to racecar drivers who can make a slight mistake which causes a crash, or someone else to crash - the racehorse is always prone to serious injuries because of the way they run (bearing all weight on one limb at a time while going high speed), their age (2-3 years old, growth plates are not closed, bones are not hardened completely) and their speed - combined with footing, conditions (mud, wet, dry, hard-packed, deep, etc) and FATE.
molly |
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Blaming Mr. Prospector for horses breaking down is like blaming Mink or Fero for faults in your GSD. Mr. Prospector was a heavily used and a very successful breeding stallion. His breeding worth far outruled his racing career. He's also the son of Native Dancer...another very prolific breeding stallion. |
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The biggest problem is unsound bloodlines. I can't tell you what bloodlines those are but asked a friend who races thoroughbreds. The horses are bred for speed not sound feet, legs, etc. All the breeders of the horses care about is how fast the horses cam make it around the track not if the horse is sound. The run few races because their bodies would not hold up if they continued running. They horses you see that have run large numbers of races tend to be from older bloodlines which are sound but slower.
The horses are also allowed to run on pain killers which would mean that they would not even know if something was about to break and stop. Do not misunderstand that I am saying that this filly was on pain killers because I have no way of knowing if she was or was not.
It is all very sad.
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There are very strict rules on drugs used - every horse who wins or places in a race in the US are taken directly to the "pee barn" where they stay until they urinate (I know, I was a pony-rider and had to wait outside the pee-barn many a night for hours until "my" horse peed before I could take it back to the barn) - the horse is not let out of the barn or out of sight of the testers until the urine is collected and tested for drugs. The only drugs that I am aware of that are allowed are blood-thinners (Lasix). Not pain killers, steroids or other.
molly |
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That wonderful filly, Eight Belles, had an outstanding pedigree. She was bred to do what she loved to do. However, I expect that a combination of circumstances led to that tragic "accident" as in most so-called "accidents." She had never run more than 8.5 furlongs. The Derby is 10 furlongs (1 1/4 miles). That is a LOT of extra distance in the context of a Gr. 1 horse race. She had never run with colts. Although the jockey had won the Kentucky Oaks a day earlier, he is only 20 years old and inexperienced....
It has been said online that no such incident has happened in the history of the KD, that a horse broke both front legs after the finish. However, I watched the last stretch of the race again and again. I saw the filly in the final moments before the finish, turn her head slightly to the right. And shortly thereafter just before the finish, I think I saw her change leads. Those are signs that something is not right. I expect that she may have injured herself in a more minor way prior to the finish and it became a catastrophic injury as she galloped out after the finish.
She was a wonderful girl and ran on heart alone at the end. May God bless and keep her. |
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Molly (eichenluft) , in my opinion, hit it on the nose. I couldn't have said it better.
Also, in my opinion.. I feel the odds would go down on injuries if the horses would be allowed to mature more before racing. You are watching 3 year olds run. They start training at 2 years old.
Hard work and immature bones = more chance for injury.
A later start on training = more costs to the owners which = will never happen since $$ is the motivating factor here.
I find it more shameful and distressing that the winning owners (not to take anything away from Big Brown) didn't have it in them to show any compassion in their celebrations, even well after the fact.
The death of this filly and others like her is truely a tragedy, and we can only celebrate their heart and will to run. |
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The problem is the the way the race horse has been breed with the thinner legs...this is like the Greyhound industry the animal's health is the least of importance it is all money driven...the way this type of horse has been breed for speed is also the cause of the bleeding in the lungs many race horses suffer as well as frequent fractures with the fine bones but no one wants to change this as the speed would suffer...the quarter horse is heavier bone but only good for shorter races but way less frequent fractures/injury ...the horse is a beautiful animal but not made to run the track as stated above but to run in the pastures as long as man's greed for gambling the race horse is just a tool for them...the pounding these animals take is why the Lasix is used to keep the fluid down from the heart and lungs if they were not running on a track they would not need Lasix ...it is sad about Eight Belles but all too frequent story and this horse paid the price with her life...the race horse has always been a thin leg animal and the breeders measure the bone density with some sort of a tool the thinner the better and this is and has been geared this way for decades and decades...I love to watch them race they are so beautiful but when something like this happens it jolts me back to the reality of a cruel sport ..many tracks in Ireland and other countries are grass tracks not dirt and turf much less chance of fractures...they still happen due to the way the animal is bred structure wise but much easier on the horse
Marlene |
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This filly was only 3 yrs. old and over 17 hands high, and a big horse. She was bound to break down, especially on such a long race at her tender age. Her trainer should have known better. Shame on him. But there you go, its the almighty dollar speaking again. Its the money they want, and as long as the horse makes plenty of it for them, they are treated well. The minute they stop bringing in the dough, its down the road to the killers. Nothing, but nothing makes me madder than the way horses are made to race as youngsters that shouldn't even be backed until they are 3, and even then used very gently -- NOT raced! Horse racing, in my opinion, should be outlawed; at least until the horse is fully mature, and this would not be before 4 yrs. of age. |
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Working on the race track for over ten years as an assistant trainer for a stable of stake calipher and upper priced claiming horses, I unfortunately have seen many breakdowns which required the horse to be put down. One of our better mares took a bad step on a muddy track working 4 furlongs one day and suffered an injury much like Ruffians, but also fractured her right hind leg. She was put down immediately. Most of the incidents are due to "FATE" rather than anything that has to do with bloodline faults or on-caring humans. Trainers and owners of Derby Class horses would not consider running a horse that is sore or needs pain killers to perform. This class of horse flesh is worth more retiring sound and having many, many years in the breeding shed producing themselves in their foals. Contrary to popular belief ,ethical owners, trainers and breeders of race horses spoil their charges rotten and are crushed if anything happens to them. The trainer of Eight Belles could hardly speak when interviewed about the mishap. But let's be realistic... there are a lot of unethical owners, trainers and breeders out there too. Much as there is in our GSD World. These people are definately in for it for the money only. I've seen too many of these people and they sicken me.
I do agree with seaecho in the respect that race horses are not given the opportunity to grow into their bones. Knees are open and shins not strong enough to hold up to the rigorous training 2 year olds are being put through in order to determine their worth early on. Those 2 year old colts and fillies that appear good classic candidates are then prepped very strenuously to prepare them for the "Breeders Cup" races at the distance of 1 mile 1/16, which in my opinion is pushing those young bones to the max and may lead to unapparent weaknesses in the future. |
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The problem is the racing itself and the age of the horses. People race paints, quarterhorses, pacers and many other breeds all the way to arabs accross the dessert. Broken bones are not something exclusive to the TB. Young bones aren't meant to take that much stress, a rider, breakneck speeds and daily trainings, is a recipe for disaster. Imagine how many horses you don't hear about because they aren't top runners in the Kentucky. It is like running an 8 month old pup in an AD trying to get that BH before 1 year, so you can get a Sch1 on your dog before he can even OFA. Again, all about $ and not the right thing to do for the animal.
Most horses don't sit a rider until after age 2 and are still in an areana on sand at age 3 learning leg ques, bit pressure, lead changes and other usefull things instead of running full tilt counter clockwise. I waited until my cutting horse was 4 before I even threw a saddle on him. I have always loved horses and even watching races growing up. I never wanted to get in depth showing or competing with them for all the same reasons it sucks with dogs. The people and the machine take the fun right out. To be competetive in anything it seems you have to walk a thin line. Futurities make me cringe racing breed or not, cutting horses have to deal with the same crap. Push push push, the next young star could be your horse, who's sire's owners have a cash pot waiting for the year before lasts crop to compete for the big bucks at the snaffle futurities. Like I said I love the horses but I hate the road we have put them on. |
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First. To be honest, I think alot had to do with the timing of breeding. Not the bloodlines. With Race Horses, all turn 1 year old on January 1. Period. So if a filly or colt was born in December .. it's automatically 1 year on January 1st ... slang term "short-yearling". So a filly or colt foaled in March-April will be a weanling till January 1st, then a yearling during the second year.
Second. Race Track conditions and quality Track maintenance. Each track is different with levels and types of dirt. For examples .. Philly's dirt track is deep and very salty. Stings the eyes. Penn National is hard, not near as deep and a concrete base, no salt. Huge difference. Charlestown has very tight turns, Penn has wide turns. Distances of Tracks, etc. I had a 5 year old back in my beginnings that I only ever trained and raced @ Penn National .. I decided to enter him for Charlestown because I was never there before. He cleared the gate, breezed down the straight, didn't know how tight the turn was and going full speed ... the Jockey knew the turn, pulled hard to the rail and my horse blew a knee. I realized instantly when my horse flew past the grandstand in the lead he was going way too fast to hit that turn safely and he shouldn't have been in the lead (LOL). He was an iron jaw so the Jockey had no way of slowing him down. His knee was hot for a few weeks, I never raced him again @ a race track. I use him now only for the Annual Gettysburg Civil War Re-Enactment and scouting. Now every horse I enter off my 2 home tracks, I gallop that morning on that race track so the horse knows what to expect.
Third. Drugs and who shod. The more money the owner and trainer have on hand, the more that's administered to mask injury or power boost to the Winners Circle. I've noticed over the years farriers like to pick favorites, this in it's self will cripple a horse.
I think these are the 3-4 that have alot to do with such things.
JMO.
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Well said 4pack.....
I have experience in many disciplines with both the breeding and showing end of the horses. I didn't show any cutting horses but was an asst. trainer for a cutting/reining barn. I hated seeing such nice horses go to waste by the age of 6 or so because they were already having to have their hocks injected all the time and were lame half of it due to being run into the ground with training so they could win the next big 2 yr. old event. I personally train and show jumpers and dressage horses - mostly jumpers. They are started ground driving and long lining at the age of 2 and worked like that until 3. At 3 they are back and started easy and at 3 1/2 they start some jumping. However, the jumping stays to a minimum until 4 when they can start a regular working schedule - some people wait until 5 to jump. I just watch the horse, but usually 4 is safe and their knees have closed.
I work at a race barn right now, and have for a while - they are started young and they work and run very hard, very often. Just had one come back from the track in another state because he dislocated his right shoulder and tore some ligaments. He's not doing so well... :( I think it is an interesting thread, but I have to agree that Mr Prospector or any other horse in the pedigree is not to blame. The training, age, condiditions, etc. hold a lot more weight than a pedigree at that point in a race horses life when your talking about an injury.
But as with everything, it's going to get worse before it gets better. Even in the draft horse world (which would be the other that I'm very involved in, and have been the longest) If you looked at the big hitches 10 years ago, you would see awesome horses winning, sound horses, level headed horses and proud owners..but it's hit a point with drugging and everyone has to jump on the idea - and at this point, it's hard to compete at the big shows in a hitch class without sticking your horses with this or that to change the attitude. I still don't, and am actually teaming with a few other breeders currently to start drug testing in this part of the horse world as well...I think it's needed or they are going to go down the drain like many of the other breeds have when you talk about competition horses.... |
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If the AP story I read is right, the common ancestor to 75% of racehorses today, including Eight Belles, is Native Dancer who lost the Derby in 1953 by a head. His descendants supposedly have trouble with feet and leg injuries. They aren't durable horses and of course, racing them young over a mile and a quarter may exacerbate the problems. But breeders still go to Native Dancer lines because the colts and fillies mature quickly into big, fast Derby-type horses.
Isn't it the same way in dogs, where breeders rush to the VA1 dog and his progeny, sometimes regardless of the dog's faults or whether they might compound the bitch's weaknesses? Sure, the koerbook and breed wardens are supposed to help prevent such things, but don't they happen anyway? We know they do.
Sam
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.. then of course think of it like NASCAR. Yall do know what will happen if any side of the rear is clipped, or a snap to the side. Same with fast horses. Liberal Bastards. |
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Native Dancer was awesome. I have two Natives. 5W 19 Starts and 3W 11 Starts
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Another black eye to the "sport of kings"...... Another lovely horse lost in its youth..... Another example of humans using animals for their own pleasure/entertainment/sport with no thought to the damage done to that animal. We had better hope that Planet of the Apes was pure fiction. There have been times that I understand where the AR people are coming from. This is one of those times.
Common factors - greedy, uncaring owners who never have enough money or recognition; age,too young; breeding for a conformation style that is not indusive to soundness over the animal's lifespan; lack of rules designed to protect the horses.
I've seen it up close and personal and it's not a pretty business. |
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My favorite horse had bad feet. Why? Stupid breeders. TB's can be bred into allot of breeds and the outcome is still called a purebred. Jake was such a horse. All of 14.2 hands and looking like a Indian Pony he had allot of TB in him and he had crappy pasterns and feet. He was a impulse buy and I said I'd own him before I even saw his feet, he was knee deep in his own piss and shit, so there was no seeing his feet. I went to farrier school to learn about my horses feet and what I could do to help him stay sound. Equine feet are all thats holding up all of that mass, yet we breed for smaller and smaller hooves, daintier heads and bigger body mass. Can you see the genetic nightmare? All it takes is one injury, one genetic default. The angle of a horses hoof, pastern and shoulder have everything to do with the way he moves, jumps, and feels yet we tweek this for style or don't even take it into consideration when we breed 2 together. It's the same in horses, dogs, cats, I guess whatever you breed. Unless you yourself make a concience decision to learn and do it right, for the animals and not for the $, prestige or whateve else drives these people to twist a wolf into a pug.
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Amen 4pack! Any horse/dog is only as good as its feet and pasterns. And that goes for GSD's too. |
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Blitzen, Correct you are on the post above. The vet who treated Barbaro was on Fox news this morning and said the same thing this morning. The TB could be breed to have bigger bones but that would interfere with the speed. The TB was not developed to take this sort of pounding they are by structure a more delicate horse unlike the quarter horse who is more healthy and evenly balanced with larger legs. The sport of Kings is correct and maybe some of the bigger breeders/trainers/owners take care of the animals more than the lower grade typical everyday horses at the slum tracks the smaller tracks but it is all done for the purpose of mans sport the gambling is what fuels this sport and the greed. The vet said much more could be done to regulate this but it isnt done the surfaces should be looked in to more but this would cost money and most tracks would not invest billions of dollars of their profits to change this. The picture of Eight Belles on the news this morning makes me sick and while both being broke at the same time they say is rare how many die from one fracture everyday would stun you. The horse was not breed to run this hard this young on these type of surfaces and no one cares for the most part. Any horse any day can break their leg even in the pasture this is true but the percentage of injury by being put on the tracks is increased by 200 percent. We owned a greyhound named Pearl as we lived close to Greentrack when live racing was done and we saw up close the treatment of those dogs and it would make the average dog lover cringe. They were let out once a day maybe sometimes they were forgotton for weeks if they were not raced kept in dark, dirty, wire cages stacked up four high at times with stool and urine falling down to the dog on the bottom. Most of them eat their own stool and their teeth were brown and stained many of them had never ever had human interaction except the walk to the starting gate and back in the seventies and eighties when they broke a leg or could not win a race and were graded out were shot and buried right at the track and everyone knew it and nothing was done no animal cruelty people were around to make them accountable at that time. Only in the past few decades are the adoption sites set up at most tracks to find them homes which they once taught not to run everytime they are loose generally make good pets. Anything involing gambling and animals is never good for the animal involved no way to sugar coat that.
Marlene |
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"The sport of Kings is correct and maybe some of the bigger breeders/trainers/owners take care of the animals more than the lower grade typical everyday horses at the slum tracks the smaller tracks but it is all done for the purpose of mans sport the gambling is what fuels this sport and the greed."
Sorry my friend, it's the complete opposite. Your pointing the finger to the wrong crowd.
But hey, this is Corporate America right .. all about the moneys. <<PUKE>> |
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I agree BabyEagle, what small outfit has life insurance on their horses? Putting them down pays better than fixing them and poisoning or injuring a stud with a low sperm count happens too. People will do some hideous things for $$$. I always told my horses they couldn't get hurt because I can't afford it and I surely can't dig a hole that deep. Never lost one and I did my own vetting. I stupidly thought dogs would be easier and cheaper. Somebody shoot me now!  |
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When bute was legal it was even a worse mess than it is today. Many, many horses ran severely injured and ended up in a tin can or glue pot. Bute is illegal now, but last I heard, some trainers still use it. They give the horse a shot of lasix before they run and it is out of their urine by the time they are tested. I think that's where the expression "pissing like a race horse" originated. I suspect there are plenty of drugs that aren't detected in a urine test or eliminated with a shot of a diuretic or some other type of cover up.
Never worked with trainers of elite horses. The ones who did the layups for our local flat track, Penn National, weren't all exactly stellar either. |
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"I stupidly thought dogs would be easier and cheaper. Somebody shoot me now!  "
LMBO! Ain't that the truth. My mom still has horses and she loves to laugh at the money I put into the dogs. |
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The problem is they are raced to early .They dont have a chance to mature . |
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I used to be a professional farrier, and I raised and trained several horses. Thoroughbreds are raced too early....that is a simple fact. All real horsemen know it. Thoroughbreds fated to race are started under saddle often before their knee joints are even closed up and still very vulnerable to injury. They race before their legs, back...entire skeletons are mature. This is done just so that the owners can make their money faster, and not for other reason that is a good one. Some owners and most breeders would like to change the age at which the horses race, which would be at about four to five years of age, but it is nearly impossible to change the status quo.
Veronica |
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This is very sad, and no less for the trainers, owners, and jockeys who truly love their horses as a family member. It seems quite reasonable to suppose that there may be a genetic component to bone weakness or other frailty that could be a factor in such an injury. The point has been well made that TB's are bred for large body mass, thin legs, and high speed. We all know that breeding to a single characteristic can well lead to loss of others. We are constantly confronted with high performance dogs that suffer from some defficiency in another aspect of their physiology or psychology. I heard the comments of a racing inside expert whose name and title I missed speaking on NPR. He stated quite clearly that in most racing jurisdictions steroids are allowed.
All this aside, we can see as a parallel the worlds best drivers driving the best engineered, most carefully built, meticulously maintained high performance cars to their death at the race track. These are high pressure, high risk, extremely demanding venues. Most could not run at all. Those that do run are wired for speed and victory. The 20 young horses that ran the Derby are certainly among the fastest, most driven, and most competitive in the world today. There is not a loser among them. Every one is capable of sweeping the competition at most venues. We see a similar story in professional HUMAN athletes who train constantly, have all of the best equipment and coaching, but DO break down at times under the strenuous conditions of their sport. Best wishes to All, Jonah |
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When it comes to the breeding of horses, dogs, cats, cattle, chickens etc, one breeds for type. If that type is predominent in certain lines then those lines will be used and overused in order to ensure the type is achieved. As far as Native Dancer passing on flaws to his ancestors this is also true in all the above mentioned breeding scenarios. I have had within our shedrow several horses that had Native Dancer in their lineage who retired sound. Of course these horses did not hit the track until they were 3 year olds. The trainer I worked for did not believe in beginning serious training until the bones were strong, the knees closed and the horse mentally mature. Both of the above articles do not address the whole issue. They seem to be passing the buck to the breeding end of the business as a smoke screen. Those in the industry are well aware of the stress both physically and mentally a young horse must endure to make it to the Classic races, and until someone realizes that they are losing not only a great athelete, they are utimately losing the capability of the continuation of said greatness, once these horses hit the breeding arena. I am so glad that the owners and trainers of "Rags to Riches" the filly that beat "Curlin" the winner of the Preakness Stakes, Dubai Cup and voted Horse of the Year, in 2007 Belmont Stakes, retired her after it was discovered she reinjured the fracture of her pastern she sustained in the Gazelle Stakes in September 2007. Forget about the money.....Preserve the Legacies. |
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"Both of the above articles do not address the whole issue. They seem to be passing the buck to the breeding end of the business as a smoke screen"
Both those articles don't mention the real facts. Those articles do nothing more than mask the truth. Most breeders I know never even trained a race horse, they make all their moneys off stud fees, foals and Breeders Cups and Purses. Most trainers I know never even sat on a race horse much less gallop a mile on a pony.. they are literally text book trainers.. the real knowledge they do have is Drugs and perfect out times before a Race.
On both Philly and Penn Tracks I am one of maybe a dozen Owner/Trainers that do all the works. The only person I pay is a 109 pound Jockey in the actual Race, everything else I do because I can. I also ride the crazies for 15 bucks a mile when I'm bored.
The only person responsible for these euthed break downs is the trainer. They have the complete say what drugs the horse is fueled on to mute the pain systems related to injuries, they dictate the training scheduals, they spend the owners money.
This morning during early training, Penn's exercise riders and Jockeys refused to ride all of the Big Timers horses. By 7:30 they were all in the breakroom bitching how lazy we are and ruining their horses. We all left as a group off backside and every hot walk machine was filled. LMAO Blaaaaaaaaaaaaa Won't last long though, but I bet we all get an extra 5 bucks a mount to end our rebel. Funny how things work. |
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BabyEagle, I know quite a few of the trainers at Penn National and some who do the layups. I'll have to ask them if they know you. |
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Ya sure. Do you happen to know N Becker ? If she's one of the ones ya know ... tell her to call me ASAP. She left Penn about 2 years ago due to financials and like is MIA. I'd like her to saddle a horse in a specials race in Oct. Thanks.
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I share my life with a Mr.Prospector grandson!He started his racing career when he was 2,pulled a tendon at the age of 3.Yes they wanted to put him down.I payed the butcher's price for him,took him home.After 2yrs off,he completely healed.Some how the race barn got a hold of this info and has offered to purchase him back..for BIG $$$$$.This horse has placed in every race he was entered in.He even placed 3rd with his pulled tendon that happened at the gate.It was in his heart to win.And he did..the day I brought him home!!!! |
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As a former 9 year veteran journeyman thoroughbred jockey, I have seen a lot of horses break down. IMO the Triple Crown events ought to be held for 4 year olds. Its too hard on a young horse to get it ready for the 1 1/4 mile Derby, 1 3/8 mile Preakness, and incredible 1 1/2 mile Belmont, forcing them to go a route of ground so early in their lives. To get them up for such long distances they have to be broke by age 2, trained too hard too young. Half the owners/trainers don't even bother to x-ray their knees before they begin intense training.
No time to go on, follow this or any other threads right now. Too much dog training to do, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in during my lunch.
SS - Yes, that IS me below... younger, cuter, and only about 105 lbs., on a grand mare named Soft Focus, who DID manage to stay sound to her retirement at age 6.
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It that Penn ? That looks like Penn's older older track ... wow we haven't had a curb since I was a teen. Nice picture. |
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The track is Bay Meadows, south of San Francisco. I don't think Penn has a turf course. I don't want to admit what the year was. LOL
SS |
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Yep, Penn has a turf track - or did when I worked there. I don't remember that "curb" there either. But it's been a few years since I've been there :) Only a few :)
molly |
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The "curb" in the photo is actually a concrete drainage swale. I know... I landed in it a few times. LOL Its a wonder I am still in one piece (sorta) after those years on the track. |
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I am not a breeder so I can't speculate on what part her breeding played in this horrible tragedy. It was not an accident - she did not step in a hole.
I keep watching the videos of the end of the race and of her actual collapse and I getter more upset each time. Toward the end of the race you can clearly see her through her head and it sure looks like she changed leads to me and the jockey would not quit flailing on her - all signs that something was wrong before she ever hit the finish line. I can't help but think that had a more experienced and caring (I'll get to that) jockey been riding her that she would have been pulled up immediately after crossing the finish line and she may very well have had a chance for a complete recovery. As for the jockey, he just walked away! NO EMOTION WHATSOEVER! He did nothing to comfort her and he just walked away! I think that he was just pissed because he didn't earn his bonus for winning and he wasn't paying any attention to his mount. Some have said that she was just a hard horse to stop and that is why she was still galloping so long after the finish - hog wash - I don't think he was trying to pull her up at all. How in God's name could anyone with any heart do nothing to comfort her and just walk away. How could a professional jockey not have read the signs that something was horribly wrong.
Anyway, horses continue to grow until they are 5 and anyone who knows anything about horses knows that starting these babies before they are 2 and racing them at 2 is just asking for accidents to happen. If the industry would push the minimum racing age to 4 years that alone would prevent many injuries. The goal should be to wind up with a horse that will be sound when it leaves the track - instead of the seeming current philosphy of run them early to see if they will make any money, use them up and then discard them. |
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To get a truer picture of how many more racehorses break down than ever come to public attention, check this link!
http://scrollsequus.blogspot.com/search/label/2008
The role of Native Dancer in producing soundness problems is well known...in a television interview, the trainer, jockey, or owner of Eight Belles (all were in the interview, I can't remember which said this) spoke of the need to incorporate bloodlines strong on soundness, to try to counteract the heavy inbreeding/linebreeding on Native Dancer. The problem is, it's speed that wins the race...and in the interview, one of those being interviewed commented that the sounder lines also tended to be slower.
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