RacehorseGirl

20 responses so far ↓

• 1 Joan // May 5, 2008 at 5:35 am

  As an animal lover, I cried when I saw Eight Belles go down. Please accept my deepest sympathy..

• 2 belinda sanders // May 5, 2008 at 10:47 am

  Dear Mr. Jones & Porter, Expressing my sincere condolences in your time of sorrow. Myself and thousands of people across the nation feel your pain. We watched from our tv sets and sat in shock & horror of what had just happened. We too cried. Please take comfort in knowing America fell in love with Belle. She truly was the “Belle Of The Ball”. May she forever be in greener pastures with the wind beneath her wings.

• 3 Debbie Tise-Rio Rancho, NM. // May 5, 2008 at 11:13 am

  I thought I would post an old proverb: “The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears.”
  Eight Belles was a brave girl & beat all but one of the boys. She went over the Rainbow Bridge as a Champion, in my eyes. Mr. Porter/Mr. Jones & all who loved her: May God bless you all.

• 4 Leslie // May 5, 2008 at 12:15 pm

  Eightbelles was a beautiful horse. My heart broke when she went down. I hope in my lifetime, there will be something that can be done to help a horse live on who has broken their leg. My thoughts and prayers are with the Porter family and all those who had the oportunity to work with, watch and love Eightbelles.

  My condolences,
  Leslie

• 5 Marcia // May 5, 2008 at 2:51 pm

  Your mare, Eight Belles was a majestic animal. She ran for you at 110% because that is what mares do!! I am deeply saddened as the rest of the world is with not only your lose of a great young racehorse but our lose too. I am an equestrian and feel that horses are an enormous part of our lives and loosing such a regal soul is not something you ever forget. My thoughts and prayers are with Eight Belles, the Porter family, Mr. Jones and the stable staff and grooms who kept her safe and well cared for. God Bless Eight Belles

• 6 Elizabeth Romaine // May 5, 2008 at 6:53 pm

  Dear Mr. Porter, Mr. Brown, Mr. Saez and the entire Fox Hills Barn,
  Our condolences from the West Coast. My husband & I were certain that your filly, Eight Belles was going to win the Derby. We could tell by looking at her that she was a beauty and all the naysayers that said she didn’t belong in the race were mistaken. To see what an incredible last race Eight Belles ran down that last stretch plays over and over in our hearts and minds - now knowing the spirit she possessed to give her all for all those that knew, worked and loved her. A true gift Eight Belles was to us all and she will long be remembered.
  Thank you for sharing Eight Belles with the world.
  Sincerely,
  Elizabeth Romaine & Rick Rolnick
  Los Angeles

• 7 jeanne subotnick // May 5, 2008 at 8:14 pm

  With deepest respect Mr Porter and Mr. Jones, My heart and hearts of all America and beyond break with yours. I LOVE the Kentucky Derby and racehorses, and their trainers and everything and everyone who is a part of allowing these incredible athletes to realise their highest potential. It was an inspiration to see her run. If only…if only… Bless All of you and God Bless sweet Belle

• 8 Mary M. Turner // May 6, 2008 at 5:20 am

  I attended my first Kentucky Derby on Sat, May 3rd, 2008. Your filly, Eight Belles, was the beauty I had always heard about….but to see her cross that finish line behind Big Brown, I will never forget. I am so thankful I did not see her take that fatal fall. My deepest sympathy goes out to you, Rick Porter, Larry Jones, Fox Hill Farm and the jockey, Mr. Saez as you lay her to rest. She was truely an inspiration to us all. God bless you and your precious filly, Eight Belles. We will cherish her forever in our hearts and minds.

• 9 Linda Snincha // May 6, 2008 at 6:34 am

  Mr.Jones& Mr. Porter and to all that was in her life. I’ve cryed and I can’t imagine the pain and my heart is broken with yours’.Her and Barbaro had the spirit,love,
  compassion and pride.If Tears Could A Build Stairway,And Memories A Lane, I’ld Walk Right Up To Heaven and Bring Eight Belles and Barbaro Home Again. My prayers and Love are with all of you! God Bless!! Her conviction made her the winner. I will pray for all of you and Dear Eight Belles you will never be forgotten and you spirit and soul will be with all of us forever. Rest in Peace our Loved Angel. Now your race will never have to end ! With Gods’ speed may you all have comfort and may he heal your broken hearts.

• 10 Rebecca Pappas // May 6, 2008 at 12:13 pm

  To Mr. Jones and Mr. Porter and everyone who knew Eight Belles, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could ease your pain. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Eight Belles will always have a place in the hearts of all of us who fell in love with her the moment we saw her. I hope knowing she is in a wonderful place and you will see her again will give you a little peace during this difficult time. My heart goes out to you.

• 11 Davy Ann Green // May 6, 2008 at 12:36 pm

  I just wanted to express my deepest sympathies to the owners/family/trainers/jockeys/etc. Being a fellow animal lover, I once suffered a loss of a dog that had cancer and was taken too soon from me. I know what sadness and sorrow you must be feeling. All I know is that you all did all you could do and I am sure she lived a wonderful life. Look to your memories for comfort. You did do the best thing for her. Recouperation wouldn not have been what whe would’ve wanted I am sure. With deepest sympathies, Davy Ann Green

• 12 Sage // May 6, 2008 at 5:05 pm

  I was on the Fox Hill Farms website today and noticed a web site listed on the forum for a petition to have a possible tribute to Eight Belles. Thought you might like to see…..
  http://www.8bellsforeightbelles.org/index.php

• 13 Rachael Logsdon // May 6, 2008 at 6:07 pm

  My condolences to all of you. Eight Belles was a happy, vibrant, healthy filly. As an owner of an ex-racehorse, I know too well the stigma surrounding horse racing. A few bad apples, they say… My heart goes out to you, not only for the pain of your loss, but also for the stress and pain you must be feeling as you deal with this media circus. I watched you gallop Eight Belles before the derby and was laughing as I watched her, so happy and game. Stay strong and don’t give up. Our prayers and hearts are with you.
  Rachael Logsdon

• 14 Lynda King // May 6, 2008 at 10:45 pm

  When a friend lost a weanling in a tragic accident this Spring, she received a beautiful condolence..”Someone in heaven needed a horse and God called them across the Rainbow Bridge”. In my heart I know that Eight Belles was needed in Heaven and that she crossed the Bridge on four strong legs and that by dusk on Saturday she was running across the heavens with Barbaro.
  Eight Belles ran the race of her life from her heart and left this world with dignity and grace…what more can we ever ask from our horses.

• 15 Lynn Turner // May 7, 2008 at 12:46 pm

  Dear Mr. Jones, Mr Porter and the rest of the crew. I am not a TB owner but have quarter horses. Not long ago I lost a two year old black filly that had alot of potential to a crazy unexpected accident. I tell you I beat myself up saying what if so many times over and over again. It devastated me for such a long time. I will never forget Seelee as long as I live. She wasn’t in the league of Eight Belles, but I gotta tell you I KNOW that caring for that horse everyday and riding her, training her etc. you loved her and it showed in your interview Mr. Jones. Please pray and ask for God to give you peace about it all. I know how that feels, as its still after 2 years so fresh in my mind. Your precious filly had sooo much potential and I grieve for her and for all of you., Anyone who has had horses have lost at least one but at such a young age…..its so very much more painful. I will be praying for you to find peace and let go of the pain. Its not easy and just know that most of us out here looking in do NOT blame you or the jockey. There are always going to be a few that HAVE to have someone to blame. Please do not blame yourself. I now have another two year old that I have raised from a weanling and he is outstanding and everything I have ever wanted. My filly will never be replaced and neither will Eight Belles. God doesn’t take us OUT of bad times…..he takes us through bad times. There will be another horse or horses to help you HEAL., We send love and hugs to all of you. We were at the Derby in the Paddock area and saw your beautiful filly. It will be forever etched in my mind and heart how Beautiful she was. She was a lucky filly to have you as an owner, trainer and jockey. You loved her and she knew it. God Bless you.
  Lynn

• 16 Gail // May 8, 2008 at 2:43 pm

  Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the great loss of Eight Belles. It was no surprise, that she left the other 18 horses behind. I feel that had she lived after and had no injuries, the upcoming races would have been between Eight Belles and Big Brown. Again, my sympathy to all who cared for her.

• 17 Joan Nicholson // May 8, 2008 at 10:32 pm

  Racehorse Girl:
  To Mr. Jones, Mr. Porter, Mr. Saez and the rest of Eight Belles family, I offer my deepest sympathy. I, too, lost a beautiful big gray filly with a silver fountain in her tail, so I can understand the pain. She went on her greatest day, doing what she loved and was bred to do. My prayers are with you.

• 18 Leonard Macy // May 11, 2008 at 12:04 am

  My wife and I both fell in love with Eight Belles at first sight. She was a Champion in every sense of the word. With tears in my eyes I offer our deepest sympathy. She’ll be a part of our hearts forever.

• 19 Tony Abbott // May 15, 2008 at 10:16 am

  Hello: I was saddened and moved about what happened to Eight Belles. I am an artist and have carved out of wood a memorial I would like to email you a picture of. Can you send me an email address so I can show you what I carved? Thank you, Tony.

• 20 Christine Gavlick // Jun 16, 2008 at 3:09 pm

  To Mr. Porter and Mr. Jones,

  Words cannot express the sadness felt by myself and the entire viewing audience. Most people see Eight Belles as a racehorse, but having worked on a harness horse farm, I know they become part of you, part of the family.

  Eight Belles was a beautiful horse and a tremendous athlete. The tape of the Kentucky Derby is proof that she had every right to be there. She beat out the entire field, with the exception of Big Brown, whom I truly believe, would not have run quite as fast if she had not been hot on his heels.
  Like Ruffian, Eight Belles ran the race of her life. Her beauty and talent will never be forgotten.
  I know there is a Heaven and I truly believe that one day you will see her again.
  I am currently working at the Fort Belvoir Army Installation in VA, but every day, my heart is back in PA with the horses I left behind. I truly love them. My dream is to be able to work with thoroughbreds, and I hope to be able to make that happen soon.
  You seem to have a deep respect for the animals, unlike so many others in the horse racing industry.
  God bless you and I wish you the best of luck in the future.