Sports

Kentucky Derby: Eight Belles euthanized

by politisite | May 3, 2008 at 02:52 pm

5500 views | 15 Recommendations | 4 comments

A sad report from Louisville, KY

Albert N. Milliron

(Louisville, KY)- Eight Belles came in second. A few strides after the place finish she fell to the ground. The Horse had broken both front ankles in her race to the finish. veterinarians immediately made the decision to put her to rest right there on the track. It was an emotional episode from elation to sadness Eight Belles was a winner to the end. She will not soon be forgotten.

Eight Belles euthanized after runner-up finish in Kentucky Derby
by Tom Law

Fox Hill Farm's Eight Belles, runner-up after a game come-from-behind finish in the 134th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), suffered catastrophic injuries after galloping out and had to be euthanized on the racetrack as the winner's celebration for Big Brown kicked off at Churchill Downs.

American Association of Equine Practitioners On-Call member Larry Bramlage, D.V.M., said the Unbridled's Song filly broke both front ankles as she galloped out nearing the backstretch. She fell and threw jockey Gabriel Saez, attempted to regain her composure, and partially collapsed again as she was attended to by outriders and emergency personnel.

"Unfortunately she had to be immediately euthanized, there was no possible way to save her," Bramlage said. "That's an injury that is just too painful. It's a bad injury to both front legs."

Eight Belles was the first filly to start in the Kentucky Derby since 1999.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | Digg | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

everchanging

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 19:05 on May 3rd, 2008

politisite, sometime its stories like these, we have to present. Which is very sad. It's news but nothing good about this years race in my eyes was good before or after because of the result.

All the best Eight Belles, I hope your running with the best, where ever you are.

politisite

at 21:06 on May 3rd, 2008

Thanks for your comment. And thanks to all those who posted their footage to power this story. Here is a shout to others who were at the Kentucky Derby to share Photos of the event.