Are We Hearing The Death Knell For US Racing As We Know It?
The tragedy at the recent Kentucky Derby when second placed Eight Belles broke her two front ankles and was later put to sleep has caused uproar in the US where there have been claims and counter claims about the safety of the sport. The situation was not helped when just yards from where Eight Belles was being treated, the winners and sponsors were enjoying the celebrations. So what is happening in US Racing?
While there is a chance that the US Racing authorities will be able to quell the current outrage by insisting that we wait for test results from the tragic thoroughbred, there is a feeling that many opposed to Racing smell blood. The events at Churchill Downs have the potential to change the face of US racing as we know it and possibly become something of a political football.
US horse racing is the leader of world horse racing and a place where many of the best jockeys test whether they can handle the often difficult tracks and massive competition. Right from the grass roots of the sport to the likes of the Kentucky Derby, competition is tough and only the best horses make it through. There are many who are also questioning what happens to those who don’t make it, with rumours that many are discarded as soon as they have no further use.
Amid the controversy over Eight Belles it is easy to forget that the owner has lost a horse and is said to be devastated. There are rumours that the horse may be buried at Churchill Downs where she fell as a mark of respect to the sport which she served so well.
Whatever happens in the future, it looks as though US horse racing may never be the same again.
