PETA Demanding Kentucky Derby Jockey Suspension

” I have a very good friend who was working at the Derby. The accident happened right in front of him, literally. He shut his camera off, and cried. He saw absolutely everything, as close up as it could possibly be. It was just a cruel twist of Fate, a horrible accident.”

This was me. And I can tell you, it was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. I did put down my cameras (as I am a videographer / producer) and I did cry. I live in Louisville, KY… the horse racing capital of the world. Kentucky, the horse capital of the world. This has affected everyone in the Bluegrass. The Derby is something that Kentucky shines for. We have HUGE parties, schools are out on Friday, in preparation. A little over 300,000 people attend the derby. Thats more than Nascar, Football, or Basketball. I have a wining ticket here with Eight Belles name on it. I can turn it in now, and get over $300. But I’m not. I am going to find out if I can cash it in, but have the money go to the family that owned Eight Belles. Here is what I saw.
I was standing on the ever famous 1st Turn (go to Google Images, and look for KY Derby and I guarantee you that it will be one of the first pictures to show up) and Big Brown and Eight Belles had just past the finish pole. They were loosing speed as they came around the turn as they always do. I was capturing video of Big Brown (as he had just won the KY Derby) and was panning back to get a shot of the rest of the field as they came around. I noticed something off. I turned off my camera, took my eye off the viewfinder, and there it was. I saw Eight Belles limping, on one leg, then she tried to stop. She didn’t. It is then that (according to the on track vet) that she snapped both front ankles, an extremely painful and irreversible injury. She would never walk, race, or breed again. I took my camera off the tripod, and started walking away. As I walked away, I heard the Equine ambulance pull up, Vets rush to her, and simply say “oh no.” I continued walking. I didn’t look back until I heard the “NO!!!” come from Eight Belles trainer. I knew what was about to happen. I turned around, awestruck at what was about to occur. They had assembled a team of vets, owners, racers, and trainers around Eight Belles. They were putting her down … on the spot …. and on the location and same track that she had just came in second in the largest race ever, The Kentucky Derby. I continued to look.. I saw the trainer of this fine filly lay his head on the horses side as she laid there… scouring, whimpering in pain. It was for the best. I saw someone come out of the ambulance with a needle. It was all over in a matter of a second. They gave her a local anesthetic, she went off to sleep, then they administered the drug that would end the life of Eight Belles. She never felt a thing.
Most of us agree that this was for the best… Everyone in KY can bide for that. A day of triumph quickly turned to a day of Tragedy. There was nothing else that could be done. I am mad @ PETA… this was, like Kat said, a freak accident that NO ONE could have predicted. Something like this has never happened before. I talked to the trainer of Eight Belles during a Press Conference, and was told that a autopsy would be ordered, and that the filly would then be cremated and kept beside her mother, another world famous filly at the Owners ranch in Lexington, KY. Folks, I hate to see this happen as much as the next person, but to go out and say that this was the Jockeys’ fault, or the trainer’s fault, or even the owner’s fault… is just asinine. I will post again, once the results from the autopsy are released to the public.

For Now…
KY

Excellent post KY_Wildcat!

Thank you for sharing!

As for PETA, most of them are whack off their rockers anyway. Yes, they make some good points, esp. when it comes to the slaughterhouse industries, and for prevention of animal cruelty when it comes to abused animals. Eight Bells suffered a terrible accident. It could have been any horse that that could have happened too. Chances are, when the autopsy comes out, it will be determined she had an undetected preexisting condition, and that will be what caused her ankles to both snap, while trying to stop.

Thanks again for your post!

BW

I totally agree! I saw it on ESPN, and it was horrible. Sadly enough it WAS an accident, PETA takes some thing s too far, up to what point are they going to keep condemning us? The jockey has nothin to do wih the horses accident,

Its a horrible thing to happen, ..that day on the track, everyone was sad at the horses misfortune. its not like the Jockey is happy that his horse died! those trainers and riders asically watch their horses grow up and to have one die , is similar to a family member going away.

Im all up for animal protection! i love them! i have a Lab at my house ..and i love her to death. but Peta takes things to the extreme .

Eight Belles was an amazing Horse. she will be missed.

I am not a Derby fan. I heard about it on the news. Kat, KY_Wildcat, BW and Ian Michael are absolutely right. I cried for Eight Belles.

“…I think PETA goes way too far sometimes.”

Hate to say it but there is no such thing as too far when your dealing with the liberal agenda