I hope that PETA receives a response.
I also hope the jockey riding Colonel John who told someone that he heard Eight Belles whinnying is not silenced. Some one needs to talk to him first hand.
There are a lot of unanswered questions, that need answers.
There is something dirty going on here...
Boycott the Preakness

Posted by: Holly | May 7, 2008 04:51 PM

Thank God for PETA. You all have done an outstanding job representing the conscience of good, loving and humane people everywhere. I am so proud of PETA as an organization. You are an inspiration.

This incident impacted me and I presume, many others on a deep level. My heart ached for this beautiful horse that was cruelly exploited. I pondered what has happened to the conscience of Americans that we think whipping these creatures while they are forced to run is a "sport". It is denial just like most abusers are in denial. Anyone watching or betting is complicit in this egregious display of abuse. It sickens me that it is televised for all of us to see and people clap. What is wrong with our souls?

On behalf of all people who felt the pain of this tragic and unecessary loss- thank you for the work you do to prevent further abuse to animals. I offer my sincere gratitude for standing up for this proud, strong and beautiful winner who could not protect herself and who we could not save in time. No doubt she will be remembered in our hears forever. CC

Posted by: caroline | May 7, 2008 06:06 PM

This is a horrendous thing that happened.I was very sad about it.

Posted by: Nancy L.Green | May 7, 2008 06:22 PM

Why dont you learn something about horse racing before you run your mouth! I am proud of PETA but you guys are way out of line on this one, these horses are treated better than most humans! over 700 horses get put down a year because the break a leg on the track, now because this is the Derby you see an opportunity to get involved? why not? why not yesterday or last week or last year? it makes me question my support maybe your out for the fame and lime light, and not the animals. Id like to see you do your homework and and truley look into horse racing first. Do you know how much that horse loved to run? no you didnt, she loved to run and did exactly that. Does and NFL player play when hes hurt? Yep, why? money or pride? horses have pride and they love to compete like you and I. let it rest, move on to something you can chance. Because horse racing fans are devoted to their sport they love and the horses they love. you wont win. please dont make me question my support for PETA. i love your work.

Posted by: Patrick | May 7, 2008 07:12 PM

I am a firm PETA supporter, but here's the deal. I'm also from Kentucky and I know horses. When horses are injured, it is better to let them suffer for as little time as possible than to draw it out... letting them pain for a very long time. I love PETA, like I say, but I absolutely disagree with the protests going on now. You can't say that we don't support horses here because we absolutely do.

Posted by: Rachel Swanson | May 7, 2008 07:32 PM

How dare you make someone feel like it was their fault.. I own 5 horses and it WAS HARD AND HORRIBLE to watch, but in this world , unfortunate situations happen. I am appalled and so angry that you would try to place blame on a human...Maybe the horse tried to hard and had a heart attack It doesn't have to be the jockeys fault ... Have you even thought of how hard this must have been on the jockey, trainer and owners. As a horse owner... I would rather make sure that my FRIEND was at peace and not in pain than to let him try to get up.... How painful for this horse and for it's family, that was there helping it live it's dream....I have been a huge supporter of PETA and all the work that is done for all that don't have a voice, but please stop with this crap.. Please try to understand how upset and guilt ridden this family must be... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! I can't stand hearing all the bashing
Please keep up the good work, but let this one go... Let the issue GO...
REST IN PEACE EIGHT BELLES
WE LOVE YOU AND ARE THINKING OF YOU EVERYDAY!
Madeleine

Posted by: Madeleine | May 7, 2008 08:00 PM

PLEASE GET THE LAWS FOR HORSE RACING CHANGED. ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE STARTED A PETITION IN THE MEMORY OF EIGHTBELLES AT IPETITION.COM. I WILL FORWARD ALL OF THE VOTES I GET FOR THIS TO YOU.

THANK YOU.

Posted by: Paula Beninati | May 7, 2008 08:07 PM

Not surprising, any institution that abuses and enslaves defenseless animals for profit are ALWAYS quick to cover up the facts. We have seen this time and time again and will continue to until the human race is extinguished, or until the general public FINALLY catch a clue.

Posted by: Craig | May 7, 2008 10:01 PM

Dear PETA Directors,
The needless and horrible death of beautiful and intellignet Eight Belles must be thoroughly investigated and the cover up must not be permitted to continue. I ask all Americans to boycott all products that sponcer Horse Racing until the industry adopts safe conditions and laws that will STOP this carnage of such intelligent animal beings. we do not have to buy any product that is advertized on T.V. that sponcer these reces. The industry needs to make universal reforms and improve the race track. The sport is no longer clean entertainment but it is becomming a spectacle of animal torture. this is morally wrong. There is no other position. Please have all Americans who care about these beautiful intellignet animals to contact their congressperson and request that legislation be passed to stop all racing on such hard tracks and all the reforms that your website suggestions have listed. This must stop. It is ruining this sport and is making it one horrible experience for all.
Sincerely, Cathy Silcock

Posted by: Cathy Silcock | May 8, 2008 08:36 AM

What happened was an accident, horse racing should still be allowed...you guys over do things WAY 2 much!!!

Posted by: Nichole | May 8, 2008 08:48 AM

There is something not right here and this should be investigated thoroughly.
Something happened to this
poor filly durign the race
and that jockey knew it and
whipped her to win and he
was responsible for her death. What a shame.

Posted by: judi mueller | May 8, 2008 10:06 AM

Lets change the laws concerning the barbaric way these race horses are treated and call it the *eightBelles law* Should that beautiful filly die in vain? What is the difference between her death and dog fighting? Oh...yeah..one is illegal!

Posted by: Ginger | May 8, 2008 10:43 AM

PETA does a great job with looking out for animals. I have on strong request though regarding the Eight Belles articles and all other articles on this website:

Can writers who claim to "know" "scientific facts" about injuries, where "most" racehorses go, how they are "all" treated, and the practices of racing please:
1) do research
2) rely on compelling scientific evidence, not uneducated emotion
3) CITE YOUR SOURCES!! (if you even have any!!)
4) Do NOT use information that you do not have a source for. That is misleading and bad journalism

As a graduate of animal science, with a focus on equine, I can attest to the fact that much of what is on this site is not true. If someone would consult science the problem could be fixed. The lack of sources makes me wonder what your real motive is and why you don't bother to understand what you're writing about.

Thank you.

Posted by: Lauren | May 8, 2008 11:58 AM

Where was PETA when hundreds of other horses have broken their legs?

I'm an eventer and we've had 4 horses die on cross country this year. Wheres the PETA huh? I guess we abuse our horses too. You choose horse accidents that will give you the most post coverage and spot light, this is not the first time a horse has ever died in competition, whether it be a 3 day event, a race, or a western event.

I've also worked in the race horse business for several years, Eight Belles was a tragic accident and I am deeply saddened that it happened. But sometimes accidents happen and I know the heartache of having to make that decision to put an animal down, but from what I have learned, it is better to end it quick than drag it out. I mean look at Barbaro, they drug it out, but we still lost him in the end.

And the mare whinnying? Some horses whinny, you have to train it out of most young horses to not do that while they are working. So i'm not surprized she whinnied, Horses do that!

Coming from a competitors stand point, whom ever is saying that jockey is a murderer, you're cruel. That mare died doing what she loved and it just makes me sick that PETA is trying to stop a sport that we have been competing in for Hundreds and thousands of years. That trainer, jockey, and owner are grieving the loss of a fantastic little mare, let them grieve.

Worry about the slaughter houses, and Puppy Mills. That should be your mission. Not this strive for the limelight.

~Rachel

Posted by: Rachel | May 8, 2008 12:08 PM

To those who are offended by PETA's response.
You need to realize that we feel that people should not use animals for our pleasure at the expense of the animal.
Is it not true that Race horses are almost never put out to pasture after they are used up.
Even when they are sold for stud, or sent to riding schools, dont stay there for life.
These horses who are treated like gold, much loved and pampered end up in the worst situations, scared and confused and are most often killed at the end of their road, where are you then, standing by their side as the chains lift their back legs into the air and their throat is silt, is their last memory of you, and are they wondering where you are and why are you letting this happen to them...
We understand that many of you love your horses,and enjoy the race (at the expence of the horse) and yet dont see far enough into the reality.
Do they enjoy the best of their lives, and your love, I am very sure they do.
But we see their fate, after your done loving them...

Posted by: Holly | May 8, 2008 12:15 PM

Regarding Eight Belles
I am outraged regarding how badly Eight Belles was treated. I believe that Eight Belles was injured before she went over the finish line.

She started to fall back to me that sent my red flag up that something was wrong. When I seen for myself how the jockey Gabriel Saez was whipping Eight Bellles I was out raged at this. I agree the Jockey Gabriel Saez should have his jockey license revoked. I agree we should ban whipping of horses.
And why was Eight Belles cremated so soon after she collaped on the race tract? This was nothing but allege cruelty to this animal.

Posted by: Donna | May 8, 2008 01:40 PM

Dear Peta;

Kudos to you for keeping the pressure on and asking for
changes and a thorough investigation. Comments from those that are raising horses or asking you to stop, are just the types of attitudes we need to change!
Yes - the horses are really cared for and loved (to a point).... yes, they love to run but not being whipped and beaten at the end of a raise to push harder until they collapse!! That is the difference here, and that is where animals are always exploited! For human greed and gain... nothing else.
Humans can choose to go into a sport and get hurt - an animal can't ... especially if being beaten or whipped into performing - this is NOT
the animals choice!
Way to go Peta - keep up the great work and awareness -

Sincerely;
Renata

Posted by: Renata | May 8, 2008 01:49 PM

Patrick, NFL players CHOOSE a career in football. So until those horses that "love to run" are able to sign a contract saying YES, I'D LOVE TO RACE FOR YOUR TEAM, don't speak for them.

And Nichole, is that your answer to this world, "accidents happen." So when something horrible happens, "accidents happen."

Madeline, I think the whole point is that most of these horses are being trained hard and often in an abusive manner, not for their own well being, but becasue someone stands to make good money in this. Take that money, add it on a competition and you have someone who is willing to do almost anything (in these cases anything to the horses) to ensure a win.

Now, if you know for sure that the Eight Belles situation was nothing like that, please let us know.

It just seems like there are too many excuses being given, "oh but they love to run" "it was just an accident."

Posted by: Jaclyn | May 8, 2008 02:01 PM

The death of Eight Belles was a senseless tragedy. The feelgood rhetoric offered by the mass media was the usual bland and shallow mix of spoonfed deceptions and convenient distortions. The cover up started with the television camera panning away from the fallen horse who had snapped both ankles. It continued when equine ambulances and "..protective screens were brought out to block the view of what was about to take place and Eight Belles was euthanized." And Eight Belles was cremated almost immediately, preventing any thorough necropsy to be perfomed. So the answer is simple, and if the crocodile tears shed by the owner and the trainer are any clue, this matter will not be properly investigated.

The sad truth is that Eight Belles was not the only horse injured and euthanized that day. There were 15 horses at 39 race tracks who were injured Saturday here in North America.

Posted by: vegancoin | May 8, 2008 02:05 PM

the only equine winners in racing are the ones that lose so badly and are so slow that the industry cuts them lose immediately. not worth the price of a stall. these horses have the chance of finding a home with a person who truly loves horses and will put them before profits and ego. god have mercy on the rest of these poor animals!

Posted by: judy honey | May 8, 2008 02:43 PM

The issue is not with the fact that she was euthanized. She was too young to race; her legs were not fully developed. She was whipped mercilessly despite signs that she was in pain. The hard dirt track is too hard on horses' legs, especially horses that young. The use of animals for sport should be banned altogether, yes -- because it causes pain and suffering in animals. But until that time, PETA and other animal rights organizations are fighting for more humane treatment of animals and a reduction in suffering. This horse (and many other racehorses) suffered and died needlessly. This could have been prevented.

Posted by: decovegan | May 8, 2008 02:56 PM

I am extremely pleased that we have an organization like PETA that is so humane and looks out for and protects our four legged friends. However, I totally disagree with some accusations that were made. Horses are made to run; it is their nature and what they love to do. Having said that, I believe that horse racing should be about letting them do what they do "naturally" and not altering tracks and any other aspect for the purpose of the win. There DEFINITELY needs to be some standards put into place for their protection - i.e. age requirement for racing - They're muscuskeletal system is not fully formed until 6-7 years old; in addition, administering lasix before races not only releases the urine but calcium and enzymes needed to help those bones mature. Hence, you end up with a young horse running their hearts out BEFORE their skeletal system is fully developed AND compromising its development by the use of lasix.
I also feel there should NOT be special "tracks" that would assist in their speed. Again, let them run on what feels natural to them and at their own speed on that natural ground. I think switching back and forth from polytrack to dirt is not good.
While I am against EVER hurting an animal, whipping is merely a communication tool that most times is necessary during a race for direction and to protect them from making wrong moves that can endanger/hurt them as well as the jockey.
I happened to hit the exacta on that race and cannot, in all honesty, take those winnings and spend it on something I enjoy when a young filly, who fought the fight so hard against the guys, lost her life. I took my winnings and donated it to a local horse ranch that houses abused and abandoned horses in her name.
Horses are the most beautiful and spiritual animals to me and I do enjoy seeing them run and race. But, like I said before, there needs to be stricter guidelines for their protection as follows:
1) no racing before fully matured skeletal system;
2) no altering tracks for speed
3) no use of steroids or any other performance enhancing means.
Again, thank you PETA for stepping up but let's stay reasonable.....

Posted by: Terry Damante | May 8, 2008 03:16 PM

Keep up the good work & the pressure PETA....it's great to see this organization stirring the pot and making many (who played a part in Eight Belles early demise) be accountable. You've got Saez scared out of his racing silks. I believe PETA should form an internal watchdog group, and track what happens to many of these winning horses. From what I've been researching, these winners eventually turn into losers. Don't be surprised, that in another few years from now, Big Brown disappears off the face of the earth....only to be discovered hanging by a meat hook in either, Europe, Canada or Japan.

Posted by: kacey | May 8, 2008 03:31 PM

It's horrible what they do to those poor horses. They jab them in their sides to make them run even when they are too tired to run. They get rid of them when they are done with them. You would think they would retire them to pasture after they make them all of the money they do, but they usually just sell them for meat. That is what most of the owners think of the animals, they are just money to them. Once they are no good for making them money, they don't care about them anymore. That jockey pushed poor eight belles until her legs gave out and broke underneath her. Then they got rid of her, because she is no good to make money anymore. I saw a picture of a horse with a fake metal leg today, with a beautiful story to go with it. They could have done that for eight belles...if only they cared enough.

Posted by: Sarah P | May 8, 2008 05:31 PM

"Why dont you learn something about horse racing before you run your mouth! I am proud of PETA but you guys are way out of line on this one, these horses are treated better than most humans! over 700 horses get put down a year because the break a leg on the track, now because this is the Derby you see an opportunity to get involved? why not? why not yesterday or last week or last year? it makes me question my support maybe your out for the fame and lime light, and not the animals. Id like to see you do your homework and and truley look into horse racing first. Do you know how much that horse loved to run? no you didnt, she loved to run and did exactly that. Does and NFL player play when hes hurt? Yep, why? money or pride? horses have pride and they love to compete like you and I. let it rest, move on to something you can chance. Because horse racing fans are devoted to their sport they love and the horses they love. you wont win. please dont make me question my support for PETA. i love your work."

Agreed I loved your work besides this project to boycott the preakness and belmont stakes. Horses have feelings and pride and if you take horse racing away from us, you sadden horses around for they would wonder where there fast paced running sport went, they have the right to compete in fast paced races as well as we do!!! So if you take horse racing away, you are taking one of there rights away too. Do you ever think about what would happen to the race tracks if you ban horse racing??/ It will be a unkept dump!!! Stray cats will be laying out on tires and you wou;d also take kentuckys symbol away too!!!

"I am a firm PETA supporter, but here's the deal. I'm also from Kentucky and I know horses. When horses are injured, it is better to let them suffer for as little time as possible than to draw it out... letting them pain for a very long time. I love PETA, like I say, but I absolutely disagree with the protests going on now. You can't say that we don't support horses here because we absolutely do"

Agreed!!! You guys can loose support on this one too but horses need to be put out of misery, at least they died triumphent and not fat and shot by its owner for it was too old!

Btw, if this horse was constantly abused by the jocky like everyone says, dont you think she would be smart enough to not let him on??

well, please comment ;D!!!!

Posted by: Why should I tell YOU???? ***Derby supporter*** | May 8, 2008 08:05 PM

peta people do you no any thing aout horse racing I OWN A RACE HORSE "harness racing" and i dont like being called down my horse is 3 she is my Baby i was there when she was born she is ever thing to me she love to go fast it born in them i have 16 year mare been ret. since she was 10 still get excited when she see the trailer she thinks she going to race! my horse are my world if they are in pain i hurt so get you facts stight we are not all bad thank you!!

Posted by: april | May 8, 2008 08:06 PM

Re: Horses are run to their deaths every
day at every race track nationwide, and
have been since in inception of horse racing
and the gaming industry

In my early twenties I worked at race tracks with horses. I have since had a long and wonderful life with horses in the jumping and dressage arenas. I have been fortunate to spend every day loving, caring and riding horses out in the open fields and mountains as well as in the competitive arenas in several countries.
The #1 cause, and which the horse racing industry hopes none of us realize, bring to the public attention and create awarenes about is: Horses bodies are not developed for racing, as we have them do, before the age of 3.5. Their bones are not properly formed.
The race industries primary objective is the 'gaming' and money it produces.
Horses begin their racing career at 18 months of age ~ way to young. They are entered in races at 2 years of age. They are run to death every day at race tracks nationwide.
We are only aware of this inhumane sport when we visualize it for ourselves on televised, nationally acclaimed races like the Triple Crown and the Breeder's Cup/Stakes.
The racing industry is leading journalists and experts down the path of "bad breeding' on purpose ~ so we don't face the common sense, true reason for these daily occurances that costs horses their lives every day at the tracks: they are being ridden and forced to run way before their bodies and bones are capable of handling what we push them so hard to do on varied tracks, conditions and speeds their organs and bones cannot endure.
Someone, a journalist, like myself needs to make the public and horse lovers everywhere aware of the simple truth: There should be a law against racing horses before they are 4 years of age ~ but that would cost the gaming industry millions of dollars/year in lost wages and betting.
Now take this truth and run with it. Its a fact.
Beverly Gun-Munro
818.300.4616

Posted by: Bev | May 8, 2008 08:18 PM

Yay ^.^ I have more things to point out as I was randomely daydreaming in fury today!!! Horse racing is all over the world australlia,england,hong kong, and many more places. Some horse racing places may be stronger then this horse racing buisness so they may put up a huge fight against you guys, you can't stop all of them no matter what so why try? You'll waste your time instead of helping other animals in need like show animals. And also, if the horse hated racing so much, they would be in a outrage. They know how to count, so they know how to show what they want!! Well, thats all for now, I will post more comments after I get some sleep. Please comment back ;D

Posted by: Why should I tell YOU???? ***Derby supporter*** | May 8, 2008 08:44 PM

this was not an unorthodox move at all. this is yet another example of how PETA insists on making comments without education and facts behind them. it is a very trying experience to find someone to bury a horse, and only slightly less trying to find someone who will cremate a horse. this was done as a sign of respect, so that all who love racing, and who loved eight belles can pay their respects at what will hopefully be a public burial site. my family's own mare, who was nothing more than a pasture pet and who was loved as a member of the family, broke her leg in her paddock one day. after months and thousands of dollars were spent trying to save her, she had to be put down. we too went to the expense of cremating her, and giving her a dignified burial. i don't even care if this comment is approved, i just hope whoever reads this WAKES UP!

Posted by: Kaitlin | May 8, 2008 10:34 PM

I agree with Jaclyn, there are just too many excuses from these so called "horse racing people" that get on these forums. They are so quick to tell the rest of us we have no proof of what we say or believe, but in this matter of Eight Belles, they have no proof either. A horse breaking both legs in half for no apparant reason just doesn't wash. Thank you PETA for keeping up the pressure. If I watch the Preakness at all, it will be to catch a glimpse of your protest.

Posted by: Theresa | May 8, 2008 11:33 PM

No, Eight Belles' death has not been properly investigated. Agreed...most of the horses are TOO YOUNG to be under saddle. They are still developing. If I understand correctly, Big Brown wasn't started as a 2-yr. old. 20 Horses are too many spread across a track, although they bunch up eventually. Why reportings of ankles, cannon bones, seasamoid, etc., breaks? I reviewed the Derby and I could see Eight Belles was in pain during the race. Watch her tail. She turned her head. Why didn't an experienced jockey feel that she wasn't running correctly? It could be seen. Why the quick euthanasia and cremation? Was she on steroids? A number of TBs are tall without steroids. Lasix...a drug allowed in racing. Until the horse world stops riding horses that are TOO YOUNG, there will continue to be problems. Some are running on legs the size of matchsticks. PETA has been ill informed about Rodeos, such as stating that the stock's genitalia are tied up in order to get them to buck...hmmmm....and Mares ? how'd they do that? Thanks, PETA, for caring. Rest In Peace Barbaro, and Eight Belles. ..now you're in Horse Heaven.

Posted by: Diane | May 8, 2008 11:50 PM

I keep remembering the turn before the home stretch and seeing the filly running on the straight when suddenly she held her head up and turned it to the right with nose in the air. I own horses and when they are running with determination to finish a race the heads are set straight out front, if everything is ok. If as was reported she whinnied it might have been at that point a possible injury took place in her right ankle. This might have been fixable but in the heat of the race went unnoticed and was push hard forward. This caused added pressure on the left leg which resulted after her finish a compound fracture and the right a complete fracture.
For me the raised head was an indication that something had happened. And I haven't heard any comment about her raised head.

Thank you.

Posted by: Diane Ewing | May 9, 2008 12:35 AM

Jack, I wasn't able to bring up Ingrid's letter, but thanks for your account-that quick cremation signals further investigation.

Posted by: lynda downie | May 9, 2008 12:48 AM

Larry Jones said that Saez applied the whip only to prevent Eight Belles from crashing into the rails. Does he think that we all just fell off turnip trucks?
I just watched Eight Belles on youtube in the Fantasy Stakes race (4-6-08)
Saez beats her and she was not anywhere near the railing.
I also watched big heavy Larry Jones galloping around on her in 'training' sessions.
I think that many of us are heartbroken yet Jones wants to move on. Not so fast, Jones.

"There'll be more dogs fatally injured taking walks this year than there will be race horses injured racing. I doubt that we'll stop walking our dogs."

-Larry Bramlage, on-call veterinarian for the
American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Great huh? How many dog owners have injected their dogs with lasix, uenbuterol, phenylbutazone, etc, etc, prior to having people bet on them, then forcing them to run until their lungs bleed, while hitting them relentlessly, for a crowd all dressed in their finest garb along the way and people at home watching it on tv, cheering from their living rooms?

Posted by: Lin | May 9, 2008 08:09 AM

Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., who trains Big Brown ---( who in the past has been suspended for illegal levels of drugs in horses)

"I give all my horses Winstrol on the 15th of every month," Dutrow says. "If they (the authorities) say I can't use it anymore I won't."

Winstrol is a steroid so why isn't it illegal?

Posted by: Lin | May 9, 2008 08:38 AM