Horse Racing: A Truly Green Sport
Eight Belles, the filly gave her all for a sport that is big business. Is horse racing humane or cruel?
Comments (63)|72 Liked It
The Kentucky Derby is a festive event attended by the most elite members of society.
The handsome men in their expensive suits are suave and elegant. The perfectly groomed females in their most spectacular hats and designer attire only add to the atmosphere.
The hype and the television coverage are grossly overused for a simple two minute race.
The Kentucky Derby is yet another affluent American indulgence attended by the supremely prosperous and only watched on television by the mass majority.
The Kentucky Derby was a horrible tragedy this year. Big Brown was the winner. But Eight Belles, a filly had to be euthanized while still on the track. Animal lovers everywhere were outraged and sickened by this seemingly “fun sport.”
Horse racing is a sport for the very rich. It is extremely expensive to maintain and raise quality thoroughbred racing horses. There is a positive and uplifting side to horse racing in the story of “Sea Biscuit.” Then again, there is a terrible and sad side in the story of “Black Beauty” and now Eight Belles.
A racing horse is truly an awesome and inspiring creature. They are massive beasts of both beauty and grace. Their large bodies effortlessly carried by four slim legs. But the legs of these magnificent beasts are most vulnerable. We witnessed this year at the Kentucky Derby, that the limbs of a race horse can be very fragile.
We can cradle distressed whales in large hammocks and rescue them from the ocean. But horses are not sea mammals. Horses have to stand. Euthanizing Eight Belle where she fell was the only option.
I want to believe that the trainers and owners of these fabulous creatures care and love them. But the reality is that horse racing is big business. I cannot help but be a little skeptical of their motives. Winning horses make more money for their owners than most of us can even fathom.
I know that the vision of that lovely filly lying on the track moaning in pain will haunt horse lovers forever. It is true that euthanizing was the only humane choice. But is participating in horse racing whether as a fan or owner a humane choice?
Rest in peace Eight Belles, where all your pastures now will be eternally green.
63 Comments
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it is cruel to put animals in harm’s way to make money
Let’s wait for the autopsy results before calling for the end of horse racing. Good article.
This a good article. Thank you.
Horse racing is for the moneyed. JM is in denial. While there are many lesser paid people involved-THEY DON’T MAKE THE MONEY.
I know because I have worked around the country at verious tracks.
This was the point JM and SHAME on you for being a twit.
The author is 100% correct in her analysis of horse racing as an elitest sport. Who is making the money? Not the groomer, the trainer, or the little guy doing the grunt work.
IT IS A SPOT FOR THE RICH, BECAUSE IT IS A SPORT THAT ONLY THE RICH CAN AFFORD.
The author make her point.
SPORT*
Good article
Horse racing is vulgar and vile. I won’t support it any longer. I will not attend with the masses of poor people either. But it is a money maker for the oweners.
Some people in here have anger issues.
Ha, the masses at the Derby are being used by the rich owners and the media.
I believe that the author of this article painted a good picture of what is going on at these Triple Crown Events.
Why isn’t this being investigated further and why is this allowed to ccontinue?
It is money. Whether it is you the little person in the cheap seats or the rich owners, you all share in the death of that horse.
Great aricle. Well-written. When you get to the heart of horse racing it is a show for the rich. You guys in the cheap seats don’t have a clue as to what is going on with the infrastructure of running a race horse. It is a dynamic operation.
You may pay your $20 for a berr and a cheap seat, but the author is 100% accurate. It is a show for the wealthy.
The author’s point is crystal clear.
Plus it is the author’s OPINION. She is entitled to it.
Great job!
The rich people are making money from YOUR ticket JM. Big idea-get the connection? You are a small fish in an ocean of sharks.
It involved logic I know and you are here to insult an excellent article.
Who are you to think that you can discredit an opinion anyway?
Great article. Don’t change a thing. Typos happen.
JM TWIT JM
Congratulations on a fine article. I liked the descriptions of the affluent. It created the setting and set the tone of the article.
Good writers use visual images to conjure up their points. You also are very accurate about the owners in horse racing.
JM needs to deal with his anger issues. I really think he was way off base making such an erratic statement.
But then there are people out there who are always criticial of the successes of others.
Thank you for making such a valid point.
Horse racing is a rich sport. The average fan does not own the horses and I think that was the author’s point.
You, JM are jumping the gun here and totally misreading the purpose of this article.
Horse racing is a rich sport. Maybe the average Joe pays for a ticket. But look at the money and the greed. That is what makes hourse racing a GREEN sport.
That is the connection to this article, That is the excellent point and opinion that was made.
Great article!
I agree that horse racing is a sport for the very rich!
Racing is gambling and that is an addiction, as is alcohol. But that has nothing to do WIT this article.
I disagree with this article. My brother is an alien and I think the author is all wrong. Little green men live with me in my mommy’s basement.
I found this article to be compelling and thought-provoking.
Well-done!
THank you for a great article!
I thought the points made by the author were well made.
Owners have to be rich to afford the costs of running a barn. I know very little about horse racing but thought there were way too many horses in that race. It looked like a stampede coming out of the gate. The filly should not have been in that race. A thorough investigation should be launched and results made public. This author made some very good points. It is all about the money.
I was appalled by the Kentucky Derby this year. Personally, I feel that horses are being run at too early an age. Their bones are not ready for the challenge. Isn’t this greed again? Remember, it is called the sport of kings. I liked the article.
Interesting article, which all the news agencies are now actively reporting. Especially the part about the legs and the torso of the horse, as written here and the way the horses are bred. See Yahoo headline.
This author has raised some questions that she opinionized here first and I commend her for that.
Many good points and thought were raised by the author.
Good job.
thoughts*
Wow!, this piece was written before all of the others that I am now reading. Very insightful.
I agree about horse racing being a rich man’s game. Anyone who disagrees is not seeing the full picture. It is big business and I hope people think long and hard before they pay for their common fan ticket.
The owners are making the money. They always have been. The reason that this is not talked about out in the open is because of the money. Money rules the sport of horse racing.
I just hope that those of us sitting in the crowd will think long and hard before spending our hard earned dollars to support such an event.
Kudos to comment #45 and #50 and all you brave souls standing up to the misguided fool making a mockery of himself.
You sir, cannot intimidate the rights of all people to speak their mind. You have embarrassed yourself here quite clearly.
To everyone else who is not on an alcoholic binge tonight please remember that what you read in this forum should remain focused on this clear and well-written article.
Anyone here this evening with any intelligence can see through the negative efforts being made to turn this into a bar brawl.
Good article.
Racing horses is inhumane! Did you see that poor animal?
It makes me ill to think about that sweet filly dying the way that she did.
I will never attend another horse race!
Race horsing is a specialized science and don’t let people here tell you that it isn’t.
It is BIG money and needs to be investigated!
Thanks for taking a stand on this issue and opening minds to the reality of horse racing.
The guy calling everyone names is probably intoxicated and looks like a fool.
It is an excellent and thought provoking editorial on the sport of horse racing.
Whether you are a novice or an expert, you can appreciate the author’s message if you are truthful and not out to be a swine and miscontent.
I own a thesaurus also.
I agree with the last comment. This article is an opinion and it is a coward who bashes valid comments in an abusive nature.
Good article and a timely piece.
I have read several other articles on more prominent sites. You said it best. Congratulations.
Horse racing needs to be investigated throughly. I hope now that it will be. Money covers up many things.
Point taken.
I liked the comment about horse racing being the “sport for Kings.” I think thatit says a lot for the sport. You may be an average person sitting in the outfield watching the race. But you are naive to think that horse racing is not dictated by the elite.
I feel sorry for the horses most of all.
This article has caused readers to think about what is really happening in horse racing. That is what a good piece of work does. It causes debate and discussion.
Thank you.
Horse racing is cruel. I won’t support it.
Amid all the forum insults, one thing remains clear. CHANGES must be made. Too many horses are being euthanized. Remember Barbaro, George Washington, euthanized at last year’s Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth Park, Pine Island, a casualty of the Pine Island 2006 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs and now Eight Belles at the 2008 Kentucky Derby. How many more have been put down? Do I know what is wrong? NO. I do know that the racing system is flawed and needs to be thoroughly investigated. We must stop these tragedies. Kudos to this author for bringing this issue out of the shadows.
I agree with this author and I agree with Tim.
“We must stop these tragedies. Kudos to this author for bringing this issue out of the shadows.”
Excellent comment and an excellent article.
Horse racing must be investigated. The money involved has protected the industry for too long.
I agree with the last several comments and the author.
I have read several articles online also. This author said it best.
Horse racing is a green sport. Some of the comments in this forum completely missed the point of the article, but this article’s stance stands alone.
Nice job.
Great piece. Pass it along!
This author has some very popular pieces on triond.com..check them out!
I agree with this article especially in light of everything that we are now just hearing in the media.
Thumbs up!
Well-said!
Great aricle and it is interesting that you are correct. Horse racing is being investigated. Congratulations on a great piece.
A fine article clearly stating that horse racing is a GREEN sport.
Thank you for such a fine article.
I just read in the paper this morning that an INVESTIGATION IS OPENING into horse racing. Congratulations you were correct!
I worked at a track for many years and I agree with what this author is saying.
Thanks for a good article that I hope will open the eyes to the real sport of inhumane horse racing.
Excellent piece.
This author has the ability to zero in on a topic with pinpoint precision. Good writing.
I am sure that the money involved will cover up an investigation.
I have been around tracks long enough to know the routine.
Good article and articulated well.
The best I have read.
Honest and to the point.
Wouldn’t be surprised if we had a Triple Crown winner this year. Anything to avoid the publicity of the dark side of horse racing!
BIG BROWN WILL WIN THE TRIPLE CROWN BECAUSE RACING IS ANOTHER FIXED SPORT AND THE RICH OWNERS WANT TO TAKE THE GLARE AWAY FROM THIS FILLY’S DEATH.
Read this morning that Big Brown has a minor injury to his front hoof. Patch him up and move on to that Triple Crown.
What happened to Big Brown today?
No steroids for the Belmont.
You read it HERE first!
Hi, your points are well taken, and your
analysis is on target. This is and always
has been a monied sport. I thought I read
somewhere, that the owners don’t make that
much money based on their investment,so you
have to have the money to participate. The
return comes on the stud fees, after a winner
retires. Very well written. Take care.