I do not know what else to say other than I am so sorry. One of my loves has always been horses and also horse racing. In fact, on the first Saturday in May my group of friends gather at my home and my husband and I host a Derby party that always has us answering the call to post - the post being my living room - to watch the race. Every year we each pick a horse and this year beautiful girl, I picked you. I cheered you on and was on my feet when you passed the wire right behind the favorite, Big Brown. Oh lovely girl, I was so proud of you. Once again I was told by my friends that a girl could not hang with the boys and once again those doubters were wrong. It was awe-inspiring watching you pass all of those boys to Place. But then, all my my joy was gone in 2 seconds. I heard "Eight Belles is injured" and my heart dropped when I saw you lying on the track. I knew it was bad but I prayed and hoped that I was wrong. When I saw the ambulances encircle you, blocking you from the view of cameras and fans, I felt cold and so sad. I knew before the on-track vet confirmed that you were gone. I held my friend Susan and together we cried for you. I've been crying for you ever since. I am so so sorry. I hope and pray that you are enjoying the wonderful grass and sweet oats that await you at the Bridge. I know Barbaro is there to show you the best places to sleep and the best fields to run in. - Purrageous Mom
Please purr and purray for Eight Belles and the people that love her. Mommy has been crying ever since last night over the beautiful horsie. She also found an article explaining why Eight Belles and even Barbaro (the horsie that broke his leg at the 2006 Preakness who later developed laminitis and had to be put down) have such very fragile legs. Apparently 75% of all thoroughbreds in America, and all 20 horsies that ran in the Kentucky Derby yesterday, are direct decendents of Native Dancer. Native Dancer's line has a tragic flaw. Thanks in part to heavily muscled legs and a violent, herky-jerky running style, Native Dancer and his descendants have had trouble with their feet (read the whole article here).
We know that many people think horseracing should be outlawed - that its a horrible bloodsport for the wealthy (we do not want to debate this here so if you want to leave such a comment, think again please. That has a time and a place and it is not here!). Please realize that for some, like Mommy, first and foremost there is a love for the horse. If it is allowed to continue we need more responsible breeding and all tracks should be required to have the new, safer surfaces to race on. Mommy does not know if she will watch horseracing any more - watching Barbaro was bad but the whole tragedy of Eight Belles has made it worse. Again, please purr for Eight Belles, her connections, her fans, and for those who love horses and horse racing. Yesterday was a hard hard day.
We know this is long - thanks for reading....
15 comments:
Nicely said...
We're furry sad about Eight Belles too...we won't debate horse racing, horses love to run and run fast but beans don't think about the surface that they make the horse run on.
We're with you, Purrageous mom. We watch the derby each year and weren't really backin any one horse, but felt grate when Eight Belles, the filly, took second... then horror when we saw she was down. First Barbaro, now Eight Belles... we didn't know the Northern Dancer connection/problem. Lighting a candle in Eight Belles' memory - she gave it her all.
Very nice. Mum read that article on the breeding stuff the other day. Interesting information.
Mum is like you, she loves horses. All kinds and sizes. Purrs for Eight Belles. She was all heart!
we are purring for her with you!
It's so sad she is gone :(
We heard about the poor horsie yesterday. It is so sad...
It broke our hearts too.
Our Nana picked Eight Belles to win. We are also very sad. People who love animals, usually love all animals.
We almost hate to tell you, but we tagged Fagin for a Meme. Come over and see.
We've been sad about it to - our Mommy found a bit of happiness knowing that Eight Belles went at a glorious moment. She raced her heart out and did so well - we're sure she was happy and proud of herself before she went over the bridge.
We were heartbroken about Eight Belles, too.
I agree with evry wurd. I haff a link to the candle room for Eight Belles if you wanna lite one. Mommy is planning a big trip to Kentucky to see horsies and Eight Belles deth has kinda let sum of the air outta her plans. Mommy sez the last time she cride so much after a race wuz when Dale Ernhart died. (She still crise about dat.) It's so sad.
Our horse Snap has Native Dancer on both sides. Now granted, she was never a good race horse but she sure is fragile and has really horrible feet that cause her lots of pain all the way up to her back even though she's just a pleasure horse for my Lap Lady. Eight Bells was our local hero, from our local track where all of the horses in Snap's barn go when they go off to be race horses. Philly Park is mourning this loss greatly. Our whole barn is.
Kaze
We aren't debating but we do want to say that there are bad racing people and good racing people and we're happy to know the vast majority that love and care for their horses at even the steepest costs. They just want the animals happy and healthy.
Snap decided to give her perspective after you inspired her.
Kaze
AW it's so sad bout Eight Belles. Lotsa purrs for her and her fambly.
Well said.
This was a tragedy.
Good Night Eight Belles
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