PETA wants Eight Belles Jockey Suspended

[Faster horses]

NORFOLK, Va. (AP)—People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking the suspension of Eight Belles' jockey after the filly had to be euthanized following her second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Gabriel Saez was riding Eight Belles when she broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. She was euthanized on the track.

PETA faxed a letter Sunday to Kentucky's racing authority claiming the filly was "doubtlessly injured before the finish" and asked that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles' death is investigated.

"What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?" PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. "If he didn't then we can probably blame the fact that they're allowed to whip the horses mercilessly."

Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones said the filly was clearly happy when she crossed the finish line.

"I don't know how in the heck they can even come close to saying that," Jones told The Associated Press on Sunday. "She has her ears up, clearly galloping out."

Guillermo said if Saez is found at fault, the group wants the second-place prize of $400,000 won by Eight Belles to be revoked.

Saez, a 20-year-old Panama native, was riding in his first Kentucky Derby. He frequently rides for Jones.

A call to the jockeys' room at Delaware Park, where Saez raced on Sunday, went unanswered.

Eight Belles, the first filly since 1999 to run in the Derby, appeared fine until collapsing while galloping out after the finish.

The letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority also sought a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of racehorses, and a move to softer, artificial surfaces for all courses.

 

[kolanuraven]

What should be suspended or looked into is how they overbreed back and forth these horses till their legs, etc are just paper thin.


That whole deal just made ya cry!!!!

 

[Choclab]

She was a pretty nice little filly, too bad. PETA folks ure are funny.

 

[Silver]

What should be suspended or looked into is how they overbreed back and forth these horses till their legs, etc are just paper thin.


That whole deal just made ya cry!!!!

I agree with you. I also think it is a crime to race two year olds. For that matter, even the q-horse world with it's emphasis on competing 2 yr olds in futurities is wrong, wrong, wrong.

 

[Kato]

Blame the jockey? Good grief! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

I watched that race, and she looked good over the finish line, but as soon as they announced what had happened, I switched the station. Not sure I want to watch any more racing, especially after what happened last year as well.

I don't think there's another horse sport that uses such young animals so hard. They've got themselves a real PR problem now. Exactly what is the rush? Every other horse sport knows that a young animal that is overused will not last. Even though I guess they're in a hurry to get the career over with and get to breeding, wouldn't it be better to let the horse grow up first, and then have a breeding career that would last for many more years?

Time to up the ages on these big races. No reason why a Triple Crown winner can't be a four or even five year old.

 

[kolanuraven]

I saw one of the track vets interviewd...I think it was on CNN.

Anyhoo, they were asking him about these horses being run/worked so hard at such a young age.


Then he said, " These horses are not bred for durability or duration, they're bred for one thing only, speed"


We all know that's true...but when he said that OUTLOUD, the look on those reporters faces was of sheer horror!!! :shock: :shock: :shock:

My guess is that he wishes he'd NOT said it that way by now!! Cause he's gonna have people coming at him/them from all angles.

I used to love it and went to the Derby one time. Never again.

 

[OldDog/NewTricks]

Blame the jockey? Good grief! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Time to up the ages on these big races. No reason why a Triple Crown winner can't be a four or even five year old.

MONEY

 

[Silver]

I don't think there's another horse sport that uses such young animals so hard.

Ever seen a QH cutting futurity? Or reining? The AQHA is just as guilty, although I have heard rumblings they are considering raising the age to 3.

 

[Hooks]

Ever seen a QH cutting futurity? Or reining?

problem with these is that they're started as 2 yro......or as soon as their knees close................ but I guess that way ya can sell more high dollar yearlings :roll:

The AQHA is just as guilty, although I have heard rumblings they are considering raising the age to 3.

them peanut rollers got more problems than legs goin bad :wink: :lol:

 

[Jigger Boss]

Ever seen a QH cutting futurity? Or reining?

problem with these is that they're started as 2 yro......or as soon as their knees close................ but I guess that way ya can sell more high dollar yearlings :roll:

Actually in cutting they start them before they're 2. Usually in the winter of their yearling year.

 

[Hooks]

Actually in cutting they start them before they're 2. Usually in the winter of their yearling year.

and along with bein so fine boned, I'm surprised they make it to their aged "maturity" events (4& 5 yro)............... :?

 

[Kato]

That's just crazy.

I wonder if anyone has sat down and thought that since it does seem to be for the money, that after all the investment and time put into training, there would be a better return on the money if the horse actually stayed sound and working until it was a good old age, rather than being burnt out or injured out young. :roll: :roll: :roll:

Maybe it's because the ones in charge, aka wealthy businessmen, are not the real horsemen that they would like everyone to think they are. I bet if you talked privately to the trainers, jockeys and grooms, that they would prefer letting the horses grow up first.

 

[Hooks]

I think alot of it goes to the various "incentive funds" available in the different events. The earlier the horse gets to the track or show pen, the sooner the "owners" start gettin their money back against their investment. Basic economics says less expense verses greater income equals larger profit. If their investment doesn't produce, they just sell & get another..................so Kato, yall are probably right...........