According to attending veterinarian Larry Bramlage, DVM and trainer Larry Jones, Eight Belles suffered a condylar fracture in her left front leg and at least one sesamoid was broken on her right front ankle during her gallop out after the finish of Kentucky Derby 134. It was a catastrophic injury, according to Bramlage, and there would have been no way to save the courageous filly.
From Bloodhorse.com:
“The things are our family,” a distraught Larry Jones told the media shortly after returning to Barn 43. “They put their lives on the line and she was glad to do it.”
Jones said the filly “ran the race of her life. She was easily second best. I was seeing flashbacks of last year and expecting the same result as last year.” Jones-trained Hard Spun finished second in the Derby before going on to finish third in the Preakness and second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (gr. I).
The trainer said it appeared that the filly suffered a condylar fracture when trying to pull up. In attempting to keep herself up, she broke the other ankle, he said.
Eight Belles was at the seven-eighths pole when she injured herself. “She suffered a condylar fracture in her left front which opened the skin and was contaminated. On the right side, at least one sesamoid was broken. It was a catastrophic injury. It happened on the same stride right in front of the outrider.”
Jones said that an autopsy will be performed, and that the filly be cremated as per owner Rick Porter’s wishes. I wish them all the best and much strength during this difficult time.
20 responses so far ↓
1 Marie // May 3, 2008 at 7:15 pm
What a great filly, I’m sorry for her & the people who loved her. Triumph is not without its heartbreaks.
(PS - a post mortem done on an animal is a necropsy, not an autopsy)
2 sylvia // May 3, 2008 at 7:36 pm
There was something about Eight Belles from the moment I first heard of her and I’ve followed her ever since . Beautiful filly! Beautiful Spirit! Deepest condolences to all who loved her.
3 Sparky Duck // May 3, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Its sad that she did all that and got injured in a freak accident that could happen on a Saturday
4 Gloria // May 3, 2008 at 10:13 pm
What an incredible horse! The tragedy of such a freak accident moments after the most beautiful show of strength. In such a short time she had people all over the world rooting for her. I had a bet with my husband that she would at least show. I was dumbstruck when I found out about her injuries. Our hearts go out to the trainer & owner for their loss. She ran a race that will never be forgotten!
5 Bonnie O'Connor // May 3, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I feel such sadness in the loss of a beautiful horse. These races are so exciting and all the horses so perfect, to end this day with tragedy, a second time after Barbaro is heart breaking. I know these horses love to run, but htey should not have to give their lives to this sport. I enjoy the races, but joy is definitely not what I am feeling now.
6 lavictus // May 3, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I have seen this time and time again. Horses pushed beyond when they should be. They can be forced to run to their death as I have seen many times before. If it is not a heart issue that would have been caught in the numerous routine physicals, I would imagine her ankles were bruised or week from the races prior or practice. May God Bless Eight Belles as I saw this happen to my own mare but I pulled her from the old owners after she collapsed by running her heart out. She lived and is with us today if only I could of done this for Eight Belles. There are a few mares/horse very few who will not fight back no matter how much they are hurting. She was one that would die for her owner and she did. She was on in a million to have been like this to not fight back and a very special mare. This is a long race and now to continue the abuse in the name of greed even knowing full well Big Browns feet are bad the owners press on to the Preakness in just two weeks. Barbaro was not ready to run again. He was injured going into the derby. We took that hard because Dr. G_ _ _ _ _ make prosthetics for horses and could of amputated. He operated on and saved Seattle slew and my mare filly runner. This sport is mean and cruel and for those hundreds of horses who are bread to run and never even make it pass Los Alamitos or those who run even in the derby are never heard from again. I do not need to tell anyone where these horses end up. Especially now the warmbloods are the choice of the hunter jumpers. I hope the owners have a chance to read this as do Eight Belles trainer. You know it and I know it. Training for over 20 years would how could you of missed this? ENJOY YOUR SECOND PLACE EARNINGS . Besides these horses are all insured for their deaths. There is still money to collect from the insurance even when dead. We love your heart Eight Belles we love your spirit and I am so sorry this world is cruel.
7 Mike G // May 4, 2008 at 12:15 am
I’m tired of seeing Dr. Larry Bramlage. Barbaro, G. Washington, Chelokee is a favorite of mine. Now were going to have to hold are breath for the final two TC events. Not sure I can handle another.
8 mike // May 4, 2008 at 5:32 am
has anyone noticed that it seems that horses seem to break down on firm or harder surfaces more often than on softer more giving surfaces? big brown ran 5 wide and 4 wide 2:01.4 unbeleavable.i would have great concern to have to run any 3 year old in just 2 weeks coming off of that surface .these races should be spread out so these young horses can recover. the heck with tradition,start thinking about the horses you so called” horsemen “say you love.
9 penny Brown // May 4, 2008 at 8:55 am
I am sick and tired of these beautiful horses dying over the human race selfishness. God bless you eight belles, your in heaven with all the greats. Seattle slew, Affirmed “Barbaro etc. Penny Brown
10 Karen // May 4, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Eight Belles gave it her all against the boys and she shined! All the hard work, time, effort and love between her and trainer all leading up to a fantastic finish, but within seconds a tragic ending…..very very sad as it still brings tears to my eyes. It will be interesting to hear the autopsy results. Was she to young to be in this race? Did she have heart trouble that was undiagnosed? I hope they get to the bottom of this and have this never happen again! My heart goes out to Eight Belles, her trainer, owner and everyone that was apart of this amazing girl!
11 Bambi P // May 4, 2008 at 3:27 pm
How heart breaking- I still can’t believe that this happened to such a gentle creature- She is at Rainbow Bridge now-
Heartfelt sympathy to the people who were close to her and saw her everyday-
My views on horse racing are not what they used to be - Barbaro and now Eight Belles? Maybe the greed of the sport has replaced the concern for the well being of these innocent athletes. So heartbreaking and tragic..
12 katie // May 4, 2008 at 8:46 pm
The trainers need to be held accountable. Rules on how often a horse can run. X-rays, bone density tests, physicals all done after 2 races. If the horse does not pass, he or she can’t run!
It was my first Kentucky Derby experience.It was appalling. The drunkeness was overwhelming. Then the people rushing to cash in on a second place horse that was being put down. My stomcah was sick.
13 Linda // May 5, 2008 at 6:53 am
The only thing that I will say is that I, as a private equine sanctuary owner of unwanted OTTBs, very much resent Larry Jones saying “These things are our family”. Things??? You should be ashamed.
14 Andrea // May 5, 2008 at 1:11 pm
As an animal lover to begin with, there is definately a sadness to see this, but as I have been reading for the past two days, I am starting to see or understand a little bit about the other side of this sport. I do get the feeling that yes, these beautiful animals do in fact love to Run.
Heck, I love to Run. If there was some way to make it a safer surface for the horses, that would somehow decrease the risk, that would be worth pursuing. I get the feeling that these horses are fed, treated, loved with more than some of the people on the streets these days. There has to be some perspective here. I am glad, and think they did the right thing by putting her down, without letting her suffer further.
15 jennifer // May 5, 2008 at 1:18 pm
God Bless Eight Belles at least now she is resting in peace. I love horses and have been an owner and trainer of show horses for over 30 years and I can honestly say I just can’t watch or support racing any longer. Watching this filly run her heart out and have the class to break down when everyone was safely out of her way. God bless her. Why would anyone run a 17 hand, slight boned filly. My first thought when I saw her was, god will she hold up. Well, you have your Derby money now are you happy now? On another note why do people think changing the race surfaces to synthetic will help? How about change the way we breed, train and race these poor creatures? Ah heck, that would put some people out of business can’t do that! Notice how this break down is being played down? This second place Derby win is blood money as far as I’m concerned.
16 Annie // May 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Nice post Jennifer. I watch all horse racing with trepidation now. Don’t know if I ever want to watch another race after this. I saw Regret break down and many others. It is getting sickening. I don’t understand racing young animal like this. I am not involved in horses, but dog sledding recreationally and I certainly understand the love to run being in the blood and animals being litterally born to run. But any responsible person involved in dog sledding will not allow their animals strenuous pulling or to run over any long distance whatsoever before they are two years old. Horses are racing with weight on their back at that age. Now a dog matures a lot quicker than a horse. How can thoroughbred owners/trainers justify loading all that muscle & strain on a young horse’s skeleton & the stress the racing as fast as they can on a hard surface puts on them. One vet or trainer even commented after Eight Belles’ breakdown that the muscle fatigue that occurs after a race can put a lot of stress on the skeleton. Why do they do this to such young animals then. All about money. Notice this year the Derby is called the “Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands” now. Is there any doubt it is about money??
With large heavy dogs you want them to mature slowly so they don’t get skeletal abnormalities. No heavy muscle development until after 2 years old. But these racing horses are fed unnatural diets to develop muscle quicker so they can race earlier, be done and retired to stud by 3-4years old. Most never see a race track after their 3yr old season even the really good ones.
17 Ellen // May 5, 2008 at 5:57 pm
God Bless Eight Belles….what a beautiful horse. It’s so sad that she broke down and had to be euthanized. I don’t know if I can watch many more of these races either. It’s just so stressful. I was so happy when they all made it around the track. I thought all was well. Then I saw a horse down on the track. It seemed to take forever to find out which one it was. The cameras , as well as the commentators,seemed to be avoiding her,. It’s hard to feel like celebrating, even though Big Brown ran a wonderful race and deserved to be honored, when Eght Belles was down and dying. Something has to be done to help these beautiful horses. I know they love to run, but safety first !!!! I’ve always been concerned about the short time between the Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont. If Tradition needs to be changed to save these beautiful horses, then change it!!! They need more time to recover! I’ve already seen comments in the paper from some of the trainers and they’re concerned about the short time going into the Preakness from the Derby. These are not new comments. I’ve seen them over the years.
18 Carol // May 5, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I’ve owned thoroughbreds for 15 years and been involved with them most of 45 years of life. To think one of these fragile creatures are ready to run at two-years old is appalling. The thoroughbreds (which are racebred) we ride and jump aren’t mature until they are around 5 years old (some keep growing longer!) A two to three year old is a BABY! Would you train and run an 11-year old child?
I agree with Jennifer… this is all about money. Who wants to feed and care for a thoroughbred “thing” for 4 years before they start racing? They start training these horses to run before they are even two years old. I’m surprised more of them don’t break down. The minimum racing age needs to be changed.
19 Henry // May 7, 2008 at 9:00 pm
So, trainer Larry Jones is ordering a steroid test on Eight Belles in order to “quell rumors”, as he phrases it. Big deal! Eight Belles will come up clean for steroids and Mr. Jones knows it. Steroids are only one of the drugs that can be administered to dope race horses. Larry Jones - if he truly wishes to come clean - should order a complete panel of tests. How ’bout it, Larry?
20 Gail // May 8, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Eight Belles is now history. sadly, not the kind we want to remember, at least not seeing her lying on the ground. Such a beautiful filly, with such a great heart, she ran the race of her short life. My condolences to all. Eight Belles was truely a winner.