When I first began watching the Triple Crown Races — the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes — I was truly the daughter of my parents. Both my mother and father loved horses. My father, now deceased, had once ridden horses, eventually resulting in a broken collar bone and lost front teeth. When I was growing up, he'd carve horse designs into leather. He once gave me a leather coin purse, which was later stolen. It's something I will never forget. We were never rich enough to own a horse or to take riding lessons.
As a child, I read about famous horses like Man O'War, War Admiral, Seabiscuit, Tom Fool, Whirlaway, Snowman, and Native Dancer. I read books by Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley. I read about famous horses of the West and famous horses of the East. I knew who Godolphin Arabian, Byrley Turk, and Darley Arabian were. It wasn't until I was in college that I actually had the opportunity to ride horses.
At home, I used to watch the Triple Crown races. I wasn't watching the great match where the filly Ruffian broke down but I heard about the accident and how, after thrashing about so violently after surgery and breaking a good leg, was put down.
On Saturday, I stopped what I was doing and I watched Barbaro. I watched him pull up lame.
Even in high school, I had yet to understand what thoroughbred racing was really about. Once it was the sport of kings — kings who could afford loss and leisure. In reality, without kings, it is a business. In today's world, many of those people who are at the races are there to drink, party, flash their breasts, and gamble. They might not even know much about horses. They might know a lot about the odds. But they probably don't love horses.
There are questions about the industry: Is it breeding horses who are more prone to breakdowns?
According to a recent AP article by Murray Evans:
Some industry experts blame trainers' obsession with speed over stamina and durability. Others say economics drive a tendency to breed horses for looks — and big bucks in the sales ring — rather than for the racetrack.
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Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Didn't the owner or trainer or someone affiliated with Barbaro tell the media they were all welcome to visit him when he had "Little Barbaros?" Sounds like it's about half love, half money. So you're right on each account.
2 - Bob Anderson
John Henry was raced too much? I visited him recently at the Kentucky Horse Park. He had just celebrated his 31st birthday (about 120 in human years) and he was as feisty and cantankerous as ever. Whatever they did to John Henry, they should do to all of us.
3 - Purple Tigress
John Henry was retired a month earlier than planned due to an injury. He was nine. His owners attempted to make a comeback and John Henry was re-injured.
Secretariat was retired at the end of his racing season as a three year old. Seattle Slew was retired after his four year old racing season. Affirmed also wasn't raced far past his four year old racing season.
John Henry's owners were lucky that his injury wasn't worse, particularly the second time. So the question is really, how many other thoroughbred racing greats were raced into their nine or 10 year old year?
4 - Mary W. Fousha
I don't want them to even try to breed Barbaro. If that ankle goes, then all his patience and healing go down the drain. I'd just love to bring him out to Washington state where I live,
that guy has earned the wind in his mane. And he is the darn sweetest looking horse I think I've ever seen.
5 - -E
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6 - aubra
barbaro's behavior before the derby
was unsettling to me.
7 - Dee
I agree with Matthew, I think it is a little of both love and money, what is wrong with putting the two together? I'm sure it is costing a pretty penny for the owners, so why not get something out of trying to do the right thing?
8 - James
I watched the preakness when Barbaro was injured.
When Barbaro left the gate early,I felt something terrible was going to happen if they still let him race,and it did. If I was his Owner I would have scratched him from that moment.
Barbaro was expected to become the next great tripple crown winner,however the pressure of a next great hopeful was resting on his shoulders
as well as mans greed.
9 - Rox K
It will take many years for me to overcome the tragedy of Barbaro, but with the Preakness, I have watched my last race. It is purely for man's profit that these magnificent, fragile creatures are pushed beyond their limit. George Vescey ("Racing Can't Afford More Tragedies," The Times, June 6) asks when animal rights' group are going to speak out against this human (NOT humane) narcissim. I ask the same question and mourn the loss of Barbaro.
10 - Purple Tigress
Perhaps by animal rights' groups, you mean PETA?
There are less visible groups that do question racing, not only of horses but of dogs.
Unfortunately, horse rescues do not have a lot of money and sometimes get money or financial aid from breeders.
Sometimes in order to save the dogs or horses, they need the cooperation of the racetracks.
Television magnified this tragedy, one that happens at many less famous racetracks to horses that are run until they break down. The same thing happens to dogs, greyhounds, here in the US as well as Mexico.
This is the side of gambling we should consider when we think of a day at any track.