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Has Eight Belles' Death Been Properly Investigated?

Written by PETA

Posted 05-07-2008

64 Comments

In a somewhat unorthodox move, Eight Belles' owners evidently had her cremated almost immediately after her necropsy on Saturday. With this news coming right on top of a report in Sports Illustrated that the jockey riding Colonel John heard Eight Belles whinnying as they passed during the race, we want to ensure that there’s some real transparency about the investigation into this incident. Today, PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk sent a second appeal to Commonwealth's Attorney R. David Stengel in Louisville calling for the results of her necropsy and any other tests to be made public. You can read that letter here.

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horseracing, investigation, Kentucky Derby, Eight Belles, huskies, basketball, of, North, White Rain Carolina, UNC, tar heels, wildcats, sparty, the best damn sports show period, celtics, necropsy

Recent Comments

katie commented:

8-19-2008 5:30 PM

You can clearly see in the replay of the race that she got hurt and lost stride in the last turn. She had a broken foot then and was whipped to finish the race. She did not need to suffer like that.Someone should suffer with her.
Kris commented:

8-17-2008 10:30 PM

Horse racing is a part of American tradition. I can't understand why you would place the blame on the jockey? They are trained to do everything possible and I'm sure he did! Jockeys fall in love with the horses they ride and so they wouldn't let them suffer like you think. They are being paid and being paid well to do what they do and even if it's against their beliefs but if they get hired by someone who says "beat" the horse then that's what they do to support and be able to put food on the tables for their families just like you and I do...I personally don't care for horse racing myself but it is a part of American livingtake it or leave it but don't jump all over people just making a living for their families the only way they know how!!!
Mar commented:

8-9-2008 6:07 PM

Come on people this sport is cruel these horses are running way too young and you know it. I am ashamed of you horse people bashing on PETA you need to open your eyes and get a clue. These horses are in heavy training at 1 12 years old. We would never start a horse that young not to mention running that fast with a rider up as a two year old. Lets just go into what happens when these horses are not fast enough or they have an injury they are discarded like common trash. They are sent to slaughter or left with no medical attention. Look up some of the rescue groups that are saving these horses on a daily basis. Look at the auctions that are running race horses through for slaughter. They are packed in a trailer and sent to Canada or Mexico as two and three year olds. It's about time this dirty laundry is aired out. Right on PETA unfortunately it took Eight Belles death to start bringing out just what goes on at the track. This is for S.Q what do you think is happening with all of the disgarded racehorses right now? Rescue groups are trying to save these horses and find homes for them or they end up at slaughter. Trainers and owners just keep on breeding theses horses never taking responsibility for the ones that are broke down or bow tendons or fracture legs. They leave those horses for us bleeding hearts to take on while they go on to destroy another beautiful animal.
Kimberly commented:

8-3-2008 9:54 PM

I feel that this Mare wasn't Properly taken care of and someof this should also fall back on the Vet cause Vets check Horses before they Race and they Pass them or dont pass them wiether or not they could race or Not the Kentucky Derby is one of the Biggest Races in the World I shown all around the world and also Raced in at Penn National and the Kentucky Derby but i had my own Vet and I feel that Mare was on Drugs they should Check ALL HORSES before Raceing for Steroids or any kind of Medications... So some of this should also be blamed on the Owner The Kentucky Derby the Vet BECAUSE THE HORSE WASNT TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY I HOPE THE OWNER GOES TO JAIL FOR WHAT HE DID TO THIS FILLY.......
Deb commented:

7-10-2008 10:30 AM

To the person who called the owner's and trainer's tears crocodile tears. I happened to have grown up with the owners the wife of the owner took me to playschool and we always had a special connection because of our love of animals. She has pulled over on the side of the road and nursed baby rabbits to health whose mothers have been hit bay cars. They both have two dogs which they take everywhere and sleep in their bed. Sometimes she sleeps on the floor because she doesn't want to disturb them. Yes what happened to Eight Bells was a tragedy I would be devastated it that happened to my horse who just happens to be a silly stubborn gelding who I love like he was a Triple Crown winner. To make assumptions about matters that you don't know anything about is unfair and discriminatory. They cremated her because they wanted to bring her back to the brand new barn that they had just finished building for her. And they did debate on whether or not to run her with the boys but she surpassed the females so saliently that it wasn't a fair shot for any of them. Haven't any of you ever heard the old adage of do not judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes"? Well....it sounds as if most of you need to take this advice to heart. Deb
Lindsey commented:

7-8-2008 1:05 AM

Dear PETA As a proud owner of an off the track race horse. Who still loves to run. i must say that these horses love to run and horse racing is not cruel what they did to barbaro was cruel he would have never been able to do anything they wouldnt have been able to put him to stud even if they did collect. so you should be investigating things like that first
F LONG commented:

7-7-2008 11:42 PM

i WORK IN THE HORSE RACING WORLD AND MORE CRUELTY GOES ON THEN YOU THINK I KNOW AND OTHERS KNOW THAT THESE ANIMALS ARE 'BUSINESS' TO THEIR OWNERS. YES THERE ARE SOME THAT HAVE A HEART AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR HORSES BUT MORE DON'T THAN DO. I SAW A FILLY WITH A DEFORMED FRONT LEG RACING COMING IN SECOND AND WHEN THE VET TOLD THE TRAINER SHE WAS VERY LAME THE TRAINER JUST KEPT WALKING! mORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO STOP THE ANIMAL CRUELTY FOR A HUMAN GAIN. LAST I CHECKED THEY HAD THE SAME COLOR OF BLOOD HUMANS DO THAT RUN THROUGH THEIR VEINS AND THEY DO HAve feelings!!
Rebecca Kirby commented:

6-30-2008 1:05 PM

I watched the Kentucky Derby this year just ashave been since I was a small child.I learn to ride the tender age of 3 I am now 44. What happen with EightBells was tragic and sad. Icried for the pain she must have endured before being put down I still get teary eyed when I think of that sad day. Lets face the facts all racehorses have too much intrebreeding. I should know my daughter owns Dash For Cashes Greatgranddaughter looking her bloodline 7 generations back is like looking afamily tree that doesnt fork. take that along with the steriods so called vitamin shots that are so freely administered no wonder the horses are breaking bones have hoof problemsOr collasping being put down or sold for 250 dollars to ameat packing plant. Horses have been around for thousands of years they didnt need medicatins to outrun predators hell they didnt need anything inthe early racing days to run. A horse will run itself to the point of exhaution just to please his owner because they love to run race oneanother its agame. I just wish that racing can go back to being fun for the horses its their sport. they should enjoy it drug free healthy strong. Not pushed the tender age of two years to compete. I think that 3 years old is a good age for a horse to begin a racing career. thank you bekka
Liz commented:

6-11-2008 9:24 PM

Why has the death of Eight Belles suddenly triggered something? What about all the other horses that break their legs? I didn't see any huge blogs and petitions when countless horses are injured and must be put down. Also Eight Belles jockey exercise rider and trainer all said that she had a problem with pulling up. She was known to stumble and trip when she was getting eased up. She just relaxes too much gets a little lazy and doesn't pick up her feat how she should. It was an accident.
S.Q. commented:

6-10-2008 6:39 PM

So if you all want to ban horse racing what will you do with the thousands of race horses left? Let them stay in your backyard? Be rational.

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