Sherry Chandler » Eight Belles
Eight Belles
Few horses, male or female, inspire a nation shed tears at their deaths. Eight Belles won our hearts in two minutes.
Here’s her trainer, Larry Jones:
For Jones and the grooms and exercise riders who had cared for Eight Belles, it was a devastating end to what had been a wonderful weekend.
Before they began the long walk to the paddock for the Derby, Jones told his staff to remember that they already had an experience of a lifetime. “As long as she comes back to the barn, we’ve had a good weekend,” he said.
She was the only one in the pack who came anywhere near challenging Big Brown, who shows signs of being another super horse.
Horses are beautiful creatures. They love to run and their running is poetry.
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19 Comments
1. Kathy676 replies at 4th May 2008, 8:03 am :
She didn’t care where the finish line was.
She had left the rest of them behind,
but there was one more horse in front of her to pass.
Her jockey said “Stop! Please stop!”
But, she said “I’m not done!”
Her ankles broke before her spirit did.
And in the end,
it took man to stop her brave heart.
Rest in Peace, Eight Belles.
2. lavictus replies at 4th May 2008, 10:36 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.
3. Angie replies at 4th May 2008, 1:48 pm :
Iam truly saddened by Eight Belles injuries and death. If only the people and owners involved in such a horrific event had as much heart as the horses. It’s all about money and write-offs. How sad to use such beautiful animals for this gain. She should have never been in this race. She was trained to win at all costs. At the end, there was one more horse to beat so she ran her heart-out. Such a young and beautiful animal. It is obvious changes need to made to this inhumane event. I will never watch this event in my life. May your spirit reign on. We will miss you.
4. Georgia Green Stamper replies at 4th May 2008, 2:06 pm :
Yes, rest in peace, Eight Bells.
5. Karen Bridgeman replies at 4th May 2008, 5:08 pm :
Eight Belles was a beautiful and determined filly. She left us with a profound feeling of loss. Although she took a piece of everyone’s heart, she has left much more behind. We’ll forever remember Eight Belles. Her spirit reigns.
6. Dawn replies at 4th May 2008, 5:42 pm :
My heart goes out to the owners and the trainer of this beautiful horse. I too was saddened by Eight Belles injuries and death.
I have to question if the outcome was worth the effort. Let’s hope this will move the sport to improve the tracks and have an outside vet to check the horses and clear them for racing.
7. Melissa replies at 4th May 2008, 6:32 pm :
They ran her to her death. I will never watch the Kentucky Derby again.
8. Bridget replies at 4th May 2008, 8:18 pm :
It amazes that that people who have no clue about horses (or even basic spelling) feel qualified to offer opinions on an event such as this. No one can train a horse to run their heart out. If the horse has that drive and talent, they’ll run on their own - no one can teach them that. They can condition them to enable optimum performance, but they can’t train drive. And Eight Belles was not “running her heart out” when the injury occurred - she was being pulled up, well after the finish, and was nowhere near the speed of a full racing gallop. PETA is screaming that the jockey should be suspended for forcing her to run while injured, but she definately was NOT injured during the race. Her ears were up as she crossed the wire, and that is not the sign on a horse in distress. It breaks my heart when a horse is injured, but horses have broken legs while galloping at liberty in the pasture. People claim the horse has no choice as to whether or not they compete. Trust me, if a horse doesn’t want to run, or jump a fence, or perform dressage, they won’t. And then they won’t be brought along as a competition horse.
9. Judy replies at 4th May 2008, 8:31 pm :
I like to watch the Derby. I’m not a race fan. But just before the race I decided to pull for Eight Belles, the filly. My heart is broken for her, which she won in a flat two minutes. Such a winner! My heart goes out to all those who loved, cared, and trained her. I watched some videos of her, and I saw in her a beautiful horse, who seemed to love to run! If so, she died doing what she loved, being okay to give her life for it. Call me sentimental, but I think there is a lesson there for all of us.
10. Anna replies at 4th May 2008, 10:28 pm :
The whole ’sport’ needs to be banned. Who honestly cares which horse runs fastest? I enjoy them simply because they’re beautiful creatures. Eight Belles was just the latest victim of greed, and I’m sickened that she had to die for someone’s entertainment. RIP beautiful girl.
11. RocknRobin replies at 5th May 2008, 10:06 am :
I was heartbroken to hear about Eight Belles. I understand that these beautiful horses are bred to race, but sometimes, they are pushed beyond their limit. Every year I tell myself not to watch the Derby, and every year I watch - just to see these beautiful animals. I’ll miss it next year. Rest In Peace Eight Belles…
12. sherry replies at 5th May 2008, 3:03 pm :
Thanks to everybody who dropped by to mourn for Eight Belles. I notice we’re all women. I think more than a few of us identified with this gorgeous female athlete who made it to the pinnacle of her sport, competing with the biggest and best of the males.
In the end, though, I agree with Bridget. It’s sad that Eight Belles was fatally injured, but she was not abused:
That she broke both ankles and had to be put down is a shocking accident. That she ran was her joy. And ours in watching her.
13. Dave replies at 5th May 2008, 3:52 pm :
Im so sad r.i.p eight belles- These horses dont have a choice,its alll for greed!! Ban this sport. these anmials r two amazing.. its not right!
14. robin replies at 5th May 2008, 4:26 pm :
I will never watch another horse race !! It is a cruel sport and as usual everything is for the money never for the horse.We need to stop horse racing it is a place for snotty rich people to drink and look good !!! May you rest in peace eight belles !!
15. Jeff replies at 5th May 2008, 5:09 pm :
Horse racing, properly managed and regulated, is not a barbaric sport. It is an ancient, honorable and noble profession and is a partnership between willing, talented horses and humans. Horses LOVE to run and they love to race and they are fully aware that they are competing for glory and fame. As with all athletic endeavors, there are risks and, tragically, Eight Belles died reminding us of those risks. When a football player dies, do we demand that the sport be banned? No. We mourn and honor the player, learn what we can from the accident, and move on. Let us remember dear Eight Belles, and cherish her memory. Destroying the sport she blessed with her presence is not the answer.
16. Gail replies at 5th May 2008, 5:59 pm :
I felt I needed to write in because I grew up raising horses. I am really upset as to the word “break down” and how it is applied to living creatures. Cars and mechanical things “break down” and they usually do so because they are old, or worn out. I have come to realize, even as a child, that horses are wonderful, courageous, and sensitive animals that have both a heart and soul. REally no different than our pets. I found myself routing for Eight Belles hoping she would beat the strong colts and win. And then suddenly seeing her fall and struggling with her injuries while everyone celebrated the winner. I will write to my representatives to add my voice in ensuring stricter policies for horse racing in my State. I do know that many horses are injured and some die at the race tracks all for the purpose of gambling. We need to ensure our voice is heard to make horse racing safer for both horse and rider. It the responsible thing to do to try and change the way horses are treated in this Sport of Kings.
17. Max replies at 6th May 2008, 12:34 pm :
It was very disturbing to see Eight Bells go down after the Kentucky Derby; equally disturbing when Barbaros leg broke 2 years ago at the Preakness. These were two of the horses on top. What happens to the others that don’t quite make it?
The article at Salon.com gives a good perspective of the horse racing industry.
I don’t feel for the Owners, they are the one’s that invest their money for profit (not to lose)! Do they grieve for their horses that don’t make it? Absolutely not, they are disposed of.
A lot has been done to clean up the abuse of show horses; like the Tennessee walking horses, it is now a violation to burn the feet with acid (so they step higher).
But next year I will likely watch the Derby, and when our horse gets over his leg injury, we will enter him in more horse shows.
I wrote this because more man representation was needed.
Note: If I were a horse, I’d want my wife to be my owner.
18. sherry replies at 7th May 2008, 9:15 am :
What a sweet thing to say about June, Max. I’m sure she treats you at least as well as she treats her horse.
Saddlebreds have always been my favorite horses. I guess it was all those country fairs of our youth. But as I’ve aged, I’ve come to dislike all that stylized high-stepping. I think the normal action of a fine horse is much more lovely to watch. I didn’t know, though, that they burned the feet. That’s barbaric!
I’m going to repost your link because I think interested parties should read it — and see the photo: http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/05/06/eight_belles/
19. Lauren replies at 10th May 2008, 1:19 am :
Its just sad how everything is about money. These horses are bred simply for speed and not for soundness, just to win, just for money. RIP Eight Belles, you will never be forgetten. My heart goes out to you.
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