R.I.P. Eight Belles
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.
Tags: big brown, eight belles, euthanized, horse racing, kentucky derby, second placeRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Horseracing
37 opinions for R.I.P. Eight Belles
Karen
May 3, 2008 at 10:45 pm
She was beautiful. I’m completely crushed and saddened by her death after the beautiful race Eight Belles ran. I am reminded of Barbaro’s injury a couple of years back. These beautiful creatures are there to race for humans’ enjoyment. To come in second and not even make it off the track at the most exciting race of the year. May you rest in peace, Eight Belles. Thank you for the memories, oh great one.
dusty
May 3, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Poor Eight Belles. A beautiful horse who ran a beautiful race..
elizabeth
May 3, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Not much else to say really. Rest in Peace little filly.
lavictus
May 4, 2008 at 12:41 am
I have seen this time and time again. Horses pushed beyond when they should be. They can be forced to run to their death as I have seen many times before. If it is not a heart issue that would have been caught in the numerous routine physicals, I would imagine her ankles were bruised or week from the races prior or practice. May God Bless Eight Belles as I saw this happen to my own mare but I pulled her from the old owners after she collapsed by running her heart out. She lived and is with us today if only I could of done this for Eight Belles. There are a few mares/horse very few who will not fight back no matter how much they are hurting. She was one that would die for her owner and she did. She was on in a million to have been like this to not fight back and a very special mare. This is a long race and now to continue the abuse in the name of greed even knowing full well Big Browns feet are bad the owners press on to the Preakness in just two weeks. Barbaro was not ready to run again. He was injured going into the derby. We took that hard because Dr. G_ _ _ _ _ make prosthetics for horses and could of amputated. He operated on and saved Seattle slew and my mare filly runner. This sport is mean and cruel and for those hundreds of horses who are bread to run and never even make it pass Los Alamitos or those who run even in the derby are never heard from again. I do not need to tell anyone where these horses end up. Especially now the warmbloods are the choice of the hunter jumpers. I hope the owners have a chance to read this as do Eight Belles trainer. You know it and I know it. Training for over 20 years would how could you of missed this? ENJOY YOUR SECOND PLACE EARNINGS . Besides these horses are all insured for their deaths. There is still money to collect from the insurance even when dead. We love your heart Eight Belles we love your spirit and I am so sorry this world is cruel.
Universer
May 4, 2008 at 1:40 am
Rest in peace, you brave girl.
Jamie
May 4, 2008 at 7:47 am
Eight Belles was not just a filly. She had perseverance, and the heart of a true champion.
She was like Ruffian, whose life ended because of an illness. She forever will hold a special place in my heart.
delhicat
May 4, 2008 at 11:26 am
US thoroughbred racing is animal abuse. Write to The Jockey Club in New York to insist on more safety regulations for these animals, who have become the victims of their owners’ greed.
RIP Eight Belles, Barbaro, Ruffian, and the thousands of other horses that have been euthanized (killed) due to the fact that they are overbred, over-medicated, run on dirt (rather than synthetic) tracks, and run too young, before their bones have fully developed.
Diana Edinburgh
May 4, 2008 at 1:09 pm
R.I.P. Eight Belles!!
To the owner if you read this, you are one money grubbing man who made a decision to euthanize her on the field in front of everyone watching the race or attending the race.
If you have the meds to euthanize her right there , you could have decently gave her pain meds and removed her from the field and euthanized her in dignity somewhere else!!
You are a cruel inhumane person.
There was a great chance to have taken her to a vetinarian hospital, X-rayed and possibly saved, but no you decided in less than 5 mins to put her down!!
All that was probaly going through your mind was the insurance money you would collect!!
I hate to say this, but I hope this haunts you for a very long time, the audacity to make a decision so quickly to destroy this magnificent horse!!
Brian
May 4, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I love horses and really hate that we exploit them for our own gain. Unfortunately, it will probably never change. Too much money in it. All we can do is try to be a voice for these beautiful animals who love us more than they probably love themselves. They will run themselves to death for us,, and they prove it time and time again. The only way to stop this nonsense is to stop betting on them. Let them run in fields because they want to,, not because we want them to.
ParisArtLover
May 4, 2008 at 10:47 pm
What do we learn from this? Thoroughbreds will run their heart out, and run long past when they should stop. Adrenaline and endorphins will mask so much when running at full throttle. WHIPS SHOULD BE BANNED. PERIOD. Only this filly knew when her bones broke, and that whip pushed her beyond the point of no return.
The Thoroughbred racing industry can do a lot better. Two year olds should not be raced. And every owner and breeder of a Thoroughbred should pay into a fund to help those Thoroughbreds who are retired and are not used for breeding but are perfectly suited for second careers. We bring these creatures into the world, and we should do a better job of taking care of them. Horses and ponies can live to 30. Let’s be more accountable and intelligent. This filly was a champion in her life, and she will not be forgotten!
ParisArtLover
May 4, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Diana writes: If you have the meds to euthanize her right there , you could have decently gave her pain meds and removed her from the field and euthanized her in dignity somewhere else!!
You are a cruel inhumane person.
There was a great chance to have taken her to a vetinarian hospital, X-rayed and possibly saved, but no you decided in less than 5 mins to put her down!!
1.The attending veterinarian, Dr. Larry Bramlage, is a world-level veterinarian and expert in Thoroughbred injuries, and to second guess him is absurd.
2. Barbaro shattered one ankle, and we witnessed his valiant but unsuccessful recovery from those injuries. Eight Belles sustained catastrophic breaks in both front ankles. Horses cannot lie down and relax while they heal. The horse is a very, very complex animal medically and injuries to their legs can and do result in their death.
Dr. Bramlage has seen thousands of injuries and he did the only thing that should have been done. Had he delayed euthanasia, the mare would have fought to get up, and fought more. It is their instinct to get back on their feet and flee, and even while sedated, the stress of not being on their feet exacerbates their injuries. (remember Ruffian?) Dr. Bramlage has the unfortunate job of ending the suffering when there is no option. Bless him, and God Bless this filly for doing her job, and doing more than she was asked. She ran her heart out, and paid for it with her life.
BarrelRacer
May 5, 2008 at 12:08 am
Diana you are mistaken, whoever authorized the immediate euthanization did the kindest thing possible. This was not a just broken bone that could have been fixed. Basically she broke her cannon bones (in her legs - broke as in snapped) which caused her ankles to break and literally left her with nothing to walk on. If you were to watch the horrible video of her actually going down you would understand. Anything other than immediate euthanization would have caused her even more excrutiating pain (this is a 1500# animal with no way to stand and no way to be loaded into an ambulance without causing her more pain). Eight Belles was a magnificient horse who had not fully grown into her gangly body. Breeders (not just of thoroughbreds) have been breeding for a fast buck. Breeders must be required to breed more responsibly and no horse should be allowed to race until it is 4. At 2 and 3 these horses bodies and minds have not fully developed and we can expect to continue to see injuries. We must demand change.
Kim
May 5, 2008 at 12:09 am
RIP eight belles. To the owner and trainer, may God forgive your cruelty and grant you grace.
Jennifer
May 5, 2008 at 12:49 am
Brave girl? Beautiful race? I can’t believe the audacity here. She was KILLED, for human entertainment. Nothing glorious about it, this gorgeous horse’s life was ended too soon because of some ostentatious sport. It’s exploitation, tragic, completely avoidable, and there’s nothing glorious about it. You can shove your bathetic responses up your asses, right along side your heads.
Elizabeth Boese
May 5, 2008 at 3:56 am
It practically tears my heart out that these horses have to be euthanized: isn’t there any other way?!?? Also, I think Brian is probably right and that horses should not be made to run. At least there should be significant racing reforms!!!
Jodie
May 5, 2008 at 10:33 am
Greetings all–I’m the author of this blog and just wanted to thank everyone who left comments. I’ve read through each one and it’s clear that this event has triggered both strong emotions and thought-provoking remarks.
I appreciate the time you’ve spent articulating your thoughts–gathering a variety of perspectives on a complex issue is invaluable, and I’m glad this post provided such a forum.
roseann
May 5, 2008 at 10:41 am
this filly had the most caring of trainers and owner.they would not have run her had anything been wrong with her and larry is a no drugs guy! this was a freak accident and this filly deserves to be honorably remembered.she ran a great race and if you know ,then you know this..just try stopping a racehorse that wants to run!!she died doing what she loved.i do agree that all horses should be given an xtra year to grow..this alone would cut down the injuries suffered by young horses
Mary Beth
May 5, 2008 at 11:06 am
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.
Chloe
May 5, 2008 at 11:10 am
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!
Carol
May 5, 2008 at 11:22 am
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.
roseann
May 5, 2008 at 12:29 pm
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
Denise
May 5, 2008 at 12:52 pm
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.
Elisa R
May 5, 2008 at 12:58 pm
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.
Debbie Gabriel
May 5, 2008 at 1:42 pm
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.
Jim
May 5, 2008 at 1:54 pm
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.
Morgan
May 5, 2008 at 2:05 pm
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.
Cindy
May 5, 2008 at 2:51 pm
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.
K
May 5, 2008 at 4:37 pm
“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.
matthew
May 5, 2008 at 9:43 pm
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.
Emily
May 6, 2008 at 10:32 am
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!!!!!!!
JL
May 6, 2008 at 6:26 pm
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.
Margie
May 6, 2008 at 6:57 pm
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.
lynda
May 7, 2008 at 12:19 am
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.
Emily
May 7, 2008 at 12:52 pm
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
karen
May 14, 2008 at 10:23 am
How much was Eight Belles insured for? I can’t find that info any where.
Ruth
Jul 7, 2008 at 1:21 am
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!!!
roseann
Jul 7, 2008 at 8:54 pm
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”
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