HorseCountryonline Editorial May 8, 2008
In last Saturdays Kentucky Derby the nation watched as Eight Bells tried to become the first filly to win the
Derby since 1988. In a gallant effort the filly crossed the finish in second place behind Big Brown then
tragedy struck, she broke both ankles and ultimately had to be destroyed.
This sad event caused a stir throughout the media searching for someone to blame. Who was to blame?
Some placed the responsibility on jockey Gabriel Saez for his use of the whip near the finish line while others
claimed it was not necessary to destroy the filly and suggested the owner was at fault for insurance reasons.
Still others blamed the racing industry for running horses at an undeveloped age and for allowing a filly to
race against her stronger male counterparts.
Was someone truly to blame? I think not. Those of us involved in the horse industry know and realize that
unfortunately these things happen through no fault of anyone. There simply isn’t any need to suggest cruelty
or disregard for animals' welfare on the parts of owners, trainers or racetracks. The industry itself is working
to resolve safety issues.
The majority of the complaints and accusations came from people not involved in a capacity greater than
claiming to be a fan. There in lies the dilemma, the fans are the very people who make it possible to produce
and promote such an event as the Derby. Without them the event certainly would not take place on the scale
that it is.
Those of us directly involved in the horse world must begin to realize that the general publics perception of
reality about horses is not the same as the reality that we see and know. Clearly to us the filly had to be
destroyed because of her injuries. I’m quite sure that most equine health practitioners would agree. The real
lesson here is that if it must be done, don’t do it in public for all the world to see.
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