Eight bells tragedy?

Question

If Eight bells was first place, instead of second, would there be more media coverage of death?

Answer 1

good lord, i doubt it.

all i see on tv is stuff on this filly.

Answer 2

maybe....

Answer 3

i think that it would be about the same...character, i completely disagree with you...the whole reason that there are thoroughbreds are for the main reason of racing...they were bred to do this. There is risk involved in any sport whether animals or humans are involved....people who participate in entertainment sports get hurt just as much or maybe more than animals do...do you want to know what the really sad thing is?  When people die from sport related things, people just go, "wow that was really sad" and thats about it...but when its animals, they say" wow thats really sad. what a cruel sport, i can't believe this, lets protest it."  people get more upset when animals get hurt or die than when people do.  I find that the outrage..don't get me wrong, i find it sad when animals are hurt or die...but people need to stop blaming the sport and realize that accidents do happen and that not every sport is perfect.

Answer 4

no, it would have been given this much exposure regardless

Answer 5

Yes, I think so, because if she won, she could have had a chance to win  the Triple Crown  and people are desperate for one as am I (last one was won by Affirmed in 1978). So the news would focus more on her death and how much of a tragedy it was that we would never find out what would have happened when she ran in the Preakness and Belmont. However since she came in second, and even though this is a very sad time, people have to have hope and something happy to look forward to, such as the Preakness Stakes. So probably yes,  her story would have been covered more if she had won. It is however good to focus on Big Brown a beautiful colt that could have the potential to end the 29 year streak of bad luck, this would lift some spirits. However this doesn't mean Eight Belles has or ever will be forgotten. She will be remembered for her power and strength, in what was the ultimately the race of her life. She had never raced against colts before and still came in 2nd, who knows if her front legs where slowly falling apart during the race, we'll never know if she would have won. But know Eight Belles killed herself trying to make everyone proud and for her love of the racing. She is a truly extraordinary animal that will forever be remembered in racing history.

*Unlike our poor little girl, some racehorses that get injured make it out alive. BUT these horses aren't necessarily lucky, unimaginably lots of race horses who cant run ever again due to injuries are sent to slaughter houses or sent away to some far away farm and forgotten. Horse slaughter is now illegal in the US but unfortunately, Canada and Mexico still slaughter horses as there is a large market for horse meat in Europe and Asia. Just donating 1 dollar helps. These animals don't have a voice help give them one. Help these horses have a life after the finish line.

Some of the charities I like:

The Exceller Fund- http://www.excellerfund.org/

CANTER- http://www.canterusa.org/

Answer 6

It doesn't matter what place she came in. She was euthanized on the track, and that's what everyone is going nuts about. The fact that a filly came in second is just a sidenote.

Answer 7

Sorry, I meant to give Caro a thumbs up and clicked too fast.  Caro is right IMHO.  May be if the winner had been the one, it might have been bigger, but  for anyone who cares, this is big enough.   People followed Barbaro right to the end, yes he did win his race, only to loses it in the end.  

This is another episode in the heart breaking reality of using animals for entertainment and compitition.   This has gone so far beyond all origional intent .    At one time, there was a real need for strong horses with stamina and speed, even more a real need to have a rider who could communicate with the horse and accomplish a task .  

There is still a wonderful connection between horse and rider, many benefits to reap, but inorder to compete on the modern track, they push the youngsters so hard with the way they are fed to the way they are trained.    Bone and connective tissue lags behind.  

A lot of the problem is that the horses are used as investments and if there is not a "return" in a certain time period, tax beneifits are lost.    We have some options here,   to discuss.   None will be popular with the status quo.  

Sports involving animals could be changed tax wise so that there is no "business" investment ever.   (But as long as winnings are taxable,   is that an answer)  Dang, I had an uncle who claimed his travel expenses to the tracks as a deduction against his winnings.  

  Make the races hold over to another year in age.   The Triple Crown would be for 4 year olds.   OK, that would require an extra year with the IRS.   Lets go for it.  

the Derby has always been for 3 yearolds.   We will have a real fight against tradition to get this done.    Start a new Q someone,   I have other work I must get back to.

Edit:: for Sasha and JC.   believe me,,, I appreciate the risks and benefits involved with sport.   I was at Colonial Downs the year Secretariat ran for and won the roses.   Accidents happen,   but the break downs are another matter.     I addressed the "business and taxes" of racing, not the sport.   For many years I worked in the livestock feed industry.   Attending seminars, it was clear that many feed formulas were available for horses.   We were advised to steer customers toward slow grow formulas for large breeds, so the bones could have a chance to keep up with height and weight,  (by the way, same with large breed dogs)  .  

Clients involved with hunter-jumper,  any kind of pleasure riding, 3 day eventing, dressage, steeple chase, roping,   ALL these wanted a horse to endure.   Clients involved in racing didn't give a flying fig.   They had to have them ready to go, on the track and competitive at two or at the latest 3.   Why????, Business and taxes.     They have to have the longest legs, they have to have explosive muscle power at 3.   That is a baby, folks.   Rarely do you see an eventer or a jumper in a state wide, much less national or international compition before age 8 or 9.    The champs are usually 10 to 15 years of age.  

The Race INDUSTRY sacrifices horses over and over again.   Most don't die on the track,   Many are "rescued".  Bowed tendons ,  coffin bone rotation,  and stifle problems can be rehabed to a point, but these are usually the result of over training.    

When compression fractures occur, there is no other conclusion than that the animal's bones were not up to the task.  Either we are old, and the bones give up, or we are young and are pushing bones to far.     Eight Belles' bones fell apart under the pressure.   What was her feeding program?    

I submit a proposal.   I can get a bone density test at my OBGYN's office, it is cheap.   Perhaps some sort of bone majurity test could be required, before a colt or filly is allowed on the track .  Make sure they are up to par for age 2 or 3.

I know there are accidents.   Eight Belles was no accident,  she flat out broke down.   It had nothing to do with a bump, being a filly, bad gate break, she f'n broke down, like an old lady with osteoporosis,  I ask why.      I don't doubt "they"  loved her like "family".   Certainly, that is how I would treat MY sports loving child.  Yeah Right.  

Sasha and JC, I think you missed my point.  It isn't about sports, it's about "business".

Answer 8

well, eight belles was a filly. Colts usually win more than fillies in races. Also, the young horse was put to sleep on the track, unlike the first place. Yes, if the horse was in first place it would be even more media coverage, but the first place horse is still alive and is most likely to keep racing. 8 Bells broke her front 2 ankles and she still managed to get 2nd place.

Answer 9

oh gosh

it would be just like Anna Nicole's death

Answer 10

Horse racing is just as bad as dog racing. It's animal abuse, and it should be illegal!

I hope you're having fun in Heaven, Eight Belles!

Answer 11

Probably.

And if she had come in last, she would have gotten five minutes, then have basically disappeared from history. It's kind of twisted when you think about it.

Answer 12

I am very sorry 'Character' but I accidently clicked the tumbs down , must have been going to fast, not really though, I completly disagree with you and your thoughts.

I beleive the death of this horse could have the ability to change the face of the earth, what may i ask, would you do in this situation, do you beleive that because a filly was in second during the passing was a problem? I think the art of horse racing and death in the media propective is in great value to their job, indeed that is all they are doing. If the horse was in last the media coverage would be very short,like 3 minutes or so, this leads to the discussion of faith, do you beleive the horse was set up, so someone could win a bet? Think about that.