More reaction to the Eight Belles death

In today's Times, the newspaper's editorial board chimes in on the debate over the death of Eight Belles, questioning whether the techniques used in breeding the horses for racing could be improved:

No one knows how many fatal (horse) racing injuries occur nationwide, which is troubling all by itself. How can the horse racing industry control the problem without a firm count and an analysis of what the circumstances were in each case?

The editorial suggests:

For all the anthropomorphic talk about racehorses being "family" and "valiantly" striving to win or overcome injuries, the horses have no choice in this multibillion-dollar industry. The racing world would be smart to put a higher priority on reining in horse injuries and deaths, before public outrage leads to calls for more draconian controls.

In today's Sports section, Times' columnist and former Sports editor Bill Dwyre reflects on the realities of horse racing, for better or worse:

What's wrong with thoroughbred breeding that so many great ones break down? Barbaro did so two years ago in the Preakness, then George Washington in last year's Breeders' Cup. And who can forget, no matter the passage of time, the agony of Ruffian and Go For Wand, limbs dangling grotesquely?

Should fillies be allowed to race against colts? Is there a gender-related physical flaw?

Dwyre continues:

There is no question that racehorses will always break down. One thousand pounds supported by toothpicks is a recipe for disaster.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: Brian Bohannon / Associated Press

Comments

[Ruby Tuesday]

1000 pounds of muscle held up by 4 champagne glasses is a dangerous cocktail. I for one who avidly enjoyed betting on the ponies will never place another dime on this creul sport. And the Derby itself is a pony show, not a horse race. One can just view the parking lot with all the Mercedes, Bentley's and Jaguars. It's the owner's that are gluttenous while the inbred, genetically altered horses are born to die.

[Suzanne Litscher]

I heard that Barbaro and Eight Belles are related. I wonder if there is a genetic link with bone strength(or weakness) in that family of horses.

[Frank]

I never got horseracing, what so exciting about watching horses run in a circle. Same with nascar.

[Litia]

never got horseracing, what so exciting about watching horses run in a circle. Same with nascar.

Posted by: Frank | May 06, 2008 at 01:16 PM

The beauty, grace and speed of these creatures is what draws people to watch racing. I have an OTTB who was rescued and I love to watch her run, it's incredible. I do however think that the racing industry needs much tougher guidelines. No steroids unless for treatments of an injury and not to be in the bloodstream for a couple of weeks prior to the race. And breeding needs to be controlled better. They are breeding these animals down to a science trying to get more muscular horses the thinner, longer legs but not thinking about the effect it has on there structure to hold the weight. There legs are long and delicate and can injure very easily. They also need to not begin to race/train until they are fully developed. That takes about 3-4 years now they race when they are about 2 1/2 years old, not developed.