insightsports

According to an Associated Press survey of racetracks in the United States, more than three horse deaths occur every day, most of them a direct result of devastating injuries sustained on the track. At least 5,000 horses have died since 2003. And those are just the reported fatalities. Because of sloppy record keeping at many tracks, the actual number of horse deaths is certain to be significantly higher. The breakdown and death of Eight Belles in this year’s Kentucky Derby brought to the forefront this ugly side of racing, just 10 months after last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Barbero also sustained injuries from which he could never recover. The problem as I see it is that thoroughbreds are being bred for speed and not strength. The horses are incredibly fast, but they are also incredibly fragile. Here’s what Larry Jones, trainer of Eight Belles, had to say on the issue: “Those that do get hurt maybe get hurt worse because of their speed and size. A good big horse will outrun a good little horse, and they can be more fragile because their legs and joints have to hold a lot more.”