R.I.P Eight Belles

[Gloriapower]

Your video is beautiful. I love Eight Belles. God bless her.

[spammer5678]

Horse food!

[KimAlexsis]

i would hope your not talkin out of your ass cuz it sure seems like it yea some people lose money but obviously the owners of eight belles are pretty well off to have a horse of that caliber racing in a race like that So what they buy a horse and put it thru all that for what ohh maybe to get more money So they gotta have sum kinda money to begin with to afford to enter the horse in the race in the 1st place You are fuckin stupid think about the sitation before you talk about it dumb ass

[Ruffian4Ever]

I will say it again, racing at this level is not for money. Sure, lots of money is involved but there is a high risk of losing money, so therefore the owners dont really care about money. People who own horses like Eight Belles have money to begin with so this is a HOBBY, not a business. Dont you know the saying that the fastest way to become a millionaire is to start as a billionaire and buy racehorses.

[raisinghorses123]

wow the greatest raceing filly ever! well i was crying when eight belles got put down and collapsed! poor gal! she was so strong and was so full of spirit! well at least she can roam with barbro and with ruffian also seabisicit and race with them! with no harm.... we love and miss you eight belles! are little winner!

[KimAlexsis]

People are rediculous- the things they will do for money...

[Ruffian4Ever]

Oh yeah, for money! HA! People lose money in this business faster than they gain it. Come on now, get real.

[circahjw]

lets go to candy mountain charlieeeeeeee lol rip 8 belles

[baylee93]

I think ya mean Gabriel Saez, and they didn't blue silks either...

[runwildnfree]

@baylee93 yes her jock was gabrial saez i have is aoutograph ramone domigueze did not ride eight bells yea eight bells ran under red and white silks :)

[IcyEquine]

well, she can race all the great racers up in heaven now

[Humsterchen]

perhaps she will see Seabiscuit, the best horse ever!

[barbaroluver159]

now she can run in heaven with barbaro

[castlestar99]

She was the only one that actually challenged Big Brown

[OsamaOllama]

Man, what a great horse. I bet she enjoyed racing you know.

It is what she lived to do.

And with accomplishment comes joy,

she must have been very joyful.

[MizHorse08]

there is no such thing as a foul it is a foal obviously u are not a horse person

[Meganox]

no im not. this is a tribute not an essay where i get points off for grammer.

[RuffianQueenOfRacing]

@MizHorse08 um? so what! if you are going to have a go at someone regarding grammer how about you use the right grammer instead of being lazy and typing "u"

[222RODEOIGO]

The biggest factors that lead to injury and death of these Thoroughbreds is their lack of soundness from breeding and their fragile age.

It's everyone's fault for participating in a sport that utilizes young fragile animals and throws them away afterwards.

[klally89]

They aren't "thrown" away...usually after they are done racing, the owners give them to adoption agencies so they can go to a great home. And some will keep the mares for breeding..

[222RODEOIGO]

Giving young horses away to adoption agencies can be the same as discarding them. It doesn't necessarily ensure their future.

Thoroughbred rescues are everywhere; I'm getting a feeling that they are breeding too many. There have been at least 5 rescues at my own stable.

In fact, one of the rescues was saved from certain death (by slaughter), and another was constantly lame as a result of how harshly he was treated during racing. He was put to sleep last Friday.

[Morganthehorsegirl]

this was so sad :(

[ShadowKnight352]

this is a sad day for all horse lovers

[timm9]

People see this videeo on youtube to learn more.

"Horse Racing: Cruelty Behind the Glamour"

[Paintmare06]

Could you email me these pics?

Great video by the way. RIP girl.

[bbbask]

At 1:01 I don't like the apparent angle of her right fetlock/pastern in that photo--it would suggest to me a susceptibility to hyperextension. Which broke first, rt or lt I wonder

[dressagepinky]

the left broke first, you can see where she changes leads in the front after it breaks, and then the right goes and then she goes down. I think her bones were porous and that TBs are being bred for bloodlines these days and not for dense bone. She was really big and light, and lightness could be porous bone.

The trainer & jockey are not to blame. These kinds of breakdowns were unheard of years ago.

[timm9]

animal abuse!

[bbbask]

no but ignorance in workouts carrying a 200 lb man and LOOK at that fatlock angle at 1:01 (rt) it looks hyperextended (should be 45 degree angle)

[neely7878]

Gabriel Saez was the jockey in the Kentucky Derby not Ramon Dominguez :S when u look at a horse with such broad bodies and chests and spindly lil legs are they really made to race? Its still a freakish accident just wish they could do something about ankles on horses like humans

[ChellexImnotohkay]

Three years old?

Thats it?

[uxbnkuribo]

All horses in the Triple Crown are three years old.

[luvh20andmtdew]

Eight Belles was one of the best kept secrets of horseracing...did you notice how Big Brown stayed next to her during the whole race and when he took off, she was right behind him, running like a true champion. It was just a freak accident, kinda like when old people accidently hit the gas instead of the brake and kill someone! As as far as Africa - they definitely need some serious birth control and condoms! Then there wouldn't be so many mouths to feed!! OR AIDS!

[rebecca11391]

the description is weird. No one thought that Eight Belles had no shot. A LOT of people thought she would win, you are definitely not unique or a genius handicapper because you picked Eight Belles to win the derby.

[Meganox]

im not sayihg it like that. The papers said the odds were 50-1 and everyone was telling me she was going to get scratched. I heard it on the news and when my family picked our horses. Im not saying im a unique or genius handicapper. Where exactly do you get that impression? I picked her because she was one filly going against 19 colts and I believed she could do it, thats all. Trust me if i was a genius I would win more money from the races I go to in august :)

[rebecca11391]

she was 20-1 on the morning line and about 10-1 at post time. There was a chance of her getting scratched and going to the oaks but not a decent one.

well you said that you picked her because you "knew she could do it" and people told you that she "had no chance".

[Meganox]

PEOPLE told me that she had now chance but I believed she did.

[rebecca11391]

who the hell are these people and are they sexists who don't actually know anything about horses?

[Meganox]

i didnt pick her because of that! Woah I picked a filly does that mean everyone who did is sexist? No. I picked her because I liked her. I read the little descriptions that come with the horse and honestly another key thing with me was its #5, my favorite and it was green, also my favorite. I dont have to be a horse expert to love horses. Im a person who knows about horses and loves them too and I am no sexist.

[rebecca11391]

umm, do you know what a sexist is and did you read my comment or just look at a few words?

[jari182000]

why don't u put something like that with the kids in Africa that die everyday because they don't have nothing to eat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Meganox]

honestly, do you want to know why? Because I cant look at those pictures. I had one in the making but I cant get myself to look at kids with exposed ribs and flies. Its too much. Seriously I would have witnesses tell you I cant google things like bugs, spiders, death, bones or anything like that. I cant have the page open for more than a minute. Thats why. And I do participate. I organized backpacks to be sent and I have raised money.

[rathofhellgirl]

not enough help in the world will heal africa completely how about this why dont YOU make  a video about the friggin kids in africa since you care about them so much and let other people make videos about what they care about!!!

Meganox your video was sweet heartfelt and informing.

[klawheart]

Never mind, sorry. lol

[Meganox]

sorry i just read this comment. ignore what i replied with lol

[klawheart]

Um, my comments dissapeared. However, don't think racers are abused. -_-

They're treated like f*ing Carmello Anthony, best barns money can buy, rich & specialized diet, regular vet examinations,early ritirement to breeding (if the blood's good).

[klawheart]

I also agree that it's really kind of sad how Racing has simply turned to buisness. The owners knew she would eventually hurt herself beyond repair, but they ran her so they could get the money. But you can't expect a profitable and chancey buisness like racing to not become like that.

[Meganox]

your comments werent removed. i just signed on and I just read them now. im only deleting the mean ones with language and stuff

[klawheart]

I agree with rebecca. If that horse hadn't been euthanized you wouldn't have batted an eyelash about it or any other of the runners. Racers aren't abused, they're treated like Carmello Anthony for God's sake. Best barns money can buy, rich & specialized diet, more money spent on them than the average family of four (with both parents working) makes annualy.

[horseysdream]

people indulge in there greed and completley forget what it is all about, it is not about the money, it is about the amazing horses! STOP THE HORSE RACING!!!

[timm9]

ANIMAL ABUSE FOR MONEY IS RACING!

[rebecca11391]

you obviously don't know shit about horse racing.

[timm9]

Please, It's all about MONEY and greed at the cost of animals getting killed and abused.

[rebecca11391]

lol you don't get out much do you?

[Meganox]

is that directed at me or someone else?

[rebecca11391]

seriously? look at the format of the comments.

[horsenponylover4444]

wow, that is really sad....but she was a good filly.

[FinalThreshold]

I know an equine massage therepist that worked on one or two horses out of her dam and they all had horrible legs. It's such a shame, racing and other extream sports are nice but it's not worth a horses life taht's for sure... Poor girl. :(

[patsaretherealchumps]

Man's lust for money will always supercede humane treatment of animals. These animals are being used as slaves for sick people with gambling problems or a sense of entitlement over creatures more noble than themselves.

[inotlikecheese]

that was sad ;(

[monkeytimes101]

is this another tribute or something, hehehe

....nice music hehe

[Ruffian4Ever]

I hate it when a horse breaks down, such a horrible thing. But I especially hate it when one breaks down on national tv, because immediately people cry "abuse abuse" without ANY solid knowledge! Horse racing is not cruel, they are not beaten with the whip, and their level of care is extremely high, even for claimers. You people need to get your facts straight and mind your own damn business.

[ticallionstallion316]

well said...

[circahjw]

thank u

[circahjw]

yo, people EIGHT BELLES was not killed just because of money, it was because its very hard to heal horses legs after they are broken!!!! her ankles were practickly shaterd. :( R.I.P

[timm9]

She was killed because of money whole reason she was forced to race and put her life at risk for MONEY IN RACING!

[sarahlindhout]

well alot of people just put horses down because they injure themselves and then they cant race. BUT she could've became a broomare! BUT breaking both front ankles is very very very painful, its sad but u have to face the truth, she was in pain.

[sarahlindhout]

oh yeah and i agree with you with the whole racing thing. it isnt right, they run the horses too young too and there legs havnt fully developed.

[bbbask]

they aren't breeding for soundness, just inbreeding again and again to commercialy popular bloodlines. The BREEDERS should care more whether their stock can withstand THREE years of racing instead of just being concerned about whether they'll bring SIX figures at OBS or Keenland. Quality of a sires offspring should be considered based on injury rates of his progeny, not just their damn Beyers.

[jlaleknas]

Eight Belles has crossed the rainbow bridge into heaven's meadow where her spirit can run and gallop and play on her terms and on her schedule - with no one beating the crap out of her to run faster. Bless her heart.

[timm9]

ANIMAL ABUSE FOR MONEY! SICK!

[burninmage]

it's not animal abuse you imbecile. the animals don't get mistreated. dude get educated. go to school for 8 hours instead of spending 8 hours trolling around youtube posting stupid comments. i bet you're like 14 years old trying to be cool and funny, get a life.

[timm9]

Tons of horses died/killed each year ONLY for MONEY/Horse racing.

[Meganox]

* I just want to say I had a few problems with some comments the first little bit this was up and I want to thank the 13,157! viewers who watched and those who commented. It means a lot to the horse who died this sad and tragic death. I hope she can run miles and miles and miles in heaven like she was made to do.

[marlborogirl1]

:( RIP Eight Belles

[sam9theman]

thats so sad that she died! but y would they kill her just because she had 2 broken ankles? couldn't they have rehabilitated her?

[JumpBack12]

no, when horses break their legs, its nearly impossible to fix it, thats what they tried to do with barbaro, but in the end he couldnt do it.

[kakashiloverdance101]

no its not like a human and you can just put a cast on it horses legs are different and almost every time a horse breaks something in its lower leg its euthanized. horses legs are just different like that

[Meganox]

it wasnt just two broken ankles. The bone in one went through the skin supposedly and they were her two front one so they couldnt even get her up into the ambulance. I hate to say it but there was no hope. Its almost like I cry all the time when dogs are euthenized because of cancer or other problems but its whats best. I think Eight Belles would have lived a long (because she was so young), and dull life full of meds and shots. She was better to just go without pain or harm.

[xoluvfrecklesxo]

they couldn't do anything but to put her down because horses bones are nearly impossible to heal

[ccf000]

Nice tribute.

Sad ending to a fine horse.

[nejiclan56]

How did Belle die if I may ask? (Sorry if this question has been asked before, im just too lazy to look through the comments.)

[hjgrly123]

she fell and broke both of her front ankles :( soo sad

[tabruhn]

The jockey of Eight Belles during the Kentucky Derby was Gabriel Saez, not Dominguez. Dominguez was scheduled to ride Eight Belles if she were to enter the Kentucky Oaks instead of the Derby, because Saez was already set to ride another horse in that race.

[Meganox]

Yeah. It didnt seem right when I put that in and then when I finished and it was uploaded I turn on the news and they said the name and I was like " i knew it!" because thats what it said on a page and it wasnt updated

[AshleyTisdale222]

PETA is the "Al Sharpton" of the animal world. They should be more proactive instead of retroactive. I was there...this was purely an accident. She was fine when she crossed the finish line. One of the great fillies of racing. And, if it were just a business, 150,000+ people would not have shown up in Louisville on Saturday. God Bless Eight Belles!!! Loved her!!!

[Viodin0]

I`m hearing ya. The problem is horses don`t know how to recover even with the best treatment. Barbaro was just an example. I honestly can`t justify this sport but it`s not going away. At least the horses are doing what they love to do. I can`t say the same with coq fighting and pit bulls. However at this day and age and all the money involved, one would think there are better forms of rehabilitation. hydro and suspension? We keep human veggies alive. Why not horses with broken legs? i agree

[stox500]

Just to let you know this is NOT a sport...though I love it, and have lived near a track my whole life, its a BUSINESS, so it will be here, and they are beutiful animals, ..but it is a bussines...if you could not bet, there would be zero horse racing. ..I have seen this in person, it happens fast, so there was not that much pain, bless her........

[lysknappen]

What happend to the horse? :'(

[kitten123lil]

she broke her front anckles and they euthanized her

[Del1720]

her two ankles broke and she ahd to be put down.

[bbbask]

another thing that happened to her--she was exercised in the mornings carriyng a 200 pound rider (her trainer) instead of the more typical 120 to 130 pound exercise riders most horses are worked under. ESPN made a big point about that. Coincidence?

[kitten123lil]

she was a beautiful horse! R.I.P Eight Belles

and thank you for making this video

[PlaYah1979]

if it was a minor injury they wouldnt of killed her..but when they fracture a leg...it's not good just think a 1,500 pound horse with them skinny legs

[jerblaine]

So sad!! why do they have to kill them when they are hurt??

[kitten123lil]

hate to say this: Cos she's not making money then, the recovery is long and it costs a lotta money, besides that the horse had pain, and there was most likely only a small chance she would fully recover.

[oldphoque]

I`m hearing ya. The problem is horses don`t know how to recover even with the best treatment. Barbaro was just an example. I honestly can`t justify this sport but it`s not going away. At least the horses are doing what they love to do. I can`t say the same with coq fighting and pit bulls. However at this day and age and all the money involved, one would think there are better forms of rehabilitation. hydro and suspension? We keep human veggies alive. Why not horses with broken legs?

[kitten123lil]

my idea!! Besides the horse was so young, so even if she wouldn't be able to run again, you'd think that she's young enough to recover.. right?

[bbbask]

there was a zero percent chance she could survive, much less recover to any level of quality of life--no matter how aggresively they may have tried. With the two front breaks, one of them compound (hence contaminated) she may as well have had a massive heart attack (this happened to Mr Nickerson in the BC Sprint the same year Go For Wand broke down). Sad to say, but she was doomed after the second fatal step.

[timm9]

Yes, she was pushed very hard and forced to her death due to that for MONEY.

[KayChick16]

i agree with u... they pushed that pour animal so much! that jockey ran her so hard that her legs snapped!! who does that!?!?!? that is horse slaughter right there!! just think... humans r doing this for our own selfish WANTS (not needs!) that horse died for the people's entertainment!! it is just not right!

[ZenyattaLuver]

Actually Your Wrong There

He Is A Super Jockey

Sooo Dont Horses Die In Show Jumping Or Cross Country ???????

Its Horse Racing We Never Noo What Will Happen

RIP Eight Belles xxx

[RuffianQueenOfRacing]

@ZenyattaLuver IMO flat racing is the safest racing for horses

[bbbask]

I'm not saying she was forced to anything! Every racehorse is "pushed hard" as is every football player, wrestler, cheerleader, whatever. That is the nature and purpose of any sporting event--to push the participants to the utmost of their ability and see who is TRULY the best. Great racehorses like Belles PUSH THEMSELVES...just look at Secretarat's Belmont with every quarter faster than the last. Belles' heart was simply and sadly stronger than her dainty legs. R.I.P. Brave One.

[timm9]

People are willing animals are forced wit hits of a whip or feet to the side. She was pushed and forced to her death for money easy as that. Reason ALOT of horses are killed each year in just trainning.

[bbbask]

These horses suffer the EXACT same fractures running loose. Horses in a pasture will hit their top speeds for the pure joy it brings them, and can just as easily (really more so because pastures could have gopher holes or other leg breaker lurking) suffer catastrophic injuries as a result. She was not pushed, not "forced". Have you ever attempted to impose your puny human will on a1200 pond horse when it comes to something the really don't WANT to do? It don't happen, man, she loved running!

[timm9]

I have horses they don't just break both legs in diffirent places by walking in freedom wit their family. Look how they can force elephants to do things they don't wish to...Fear is put in them VERY young. When something wishes to do something it does not need to be kicked wit feet on both sides of it and hit with a whip.

[rcherasaro]

right on and well said..these people just don't get it..she was a champion and deserves to be remembered as such.

[kitten123lil]

i don't say i don't get it. I know it's almost (if not) impossible to recover from 2 broken front ankles. You can't lay a horse down, and you can't hang it up cos a horse has to move. It's just a shame that she's dead.

[Meganox]

Well what happened with her was she was more than just hurt.She broke her two front ankles and apparently of of them punctured through the skin. She could not get up because she couldnt use her two front legs. I cried but it was all they could do. She would be in pain and never be able to race again.

[sugarpuppy137]

Nice tribute, rip Eight Belles.

P.S She was a 12-1 shot, and she was never left behind, that valiant little filly was up near the front the whole race xP

[Meganox]

i know her stats went up but i chose her as she was 50-1. when i meant in the back i meant like not in the top top

[bw219007]

I love the music... A great song (Beethoven's 9th Symphony, 2nd Movement). Very good choice for the tribute!

[Meganox]

yeah i think its nice too. its the only one i could use but its kind of joyous and reminds me of a champion, which she was.

[davyboy192]

r.i.p eight belles when i look at my horses i see u in them

[Meganox]

*Any mean comments with foul language will be deleted. People should not see the f word or c word posted on a tribute site. All opinions are welcome but if you say things like stupid horse or finc c then I well warned you that it would be deleted.*

[zorack0]

horses dont go to heaven

[Meganox]

i believe they do.

[brbuck159]

i do too...

[kitten123lil]

they do

[Meganox]

Its not your opinion im disagreeing with I said well before hand comments like that will be deleted and Im not going to have people who actually care about this horse come to my page that is a tribute with things saying "its just a horse" and "all you tree hugging peta people" no. Thats why I deleted your message. And the one you just posted! If you have such a strong feeling towards this incident then why are you youtubing it and leaving comments in the first place? This is for people who care

[kitten123lil]

good speach!! and totally agree!! Why are we Peta people if we care about a horse (a brillian and beautiful horse) who died?

[Meganox]

exactly! there was a comment on here calling me a tree-hugging Peta person. Im not! I just have a heart for animals and I have always been fascinated by them. Im not going into a profession with animals but trust me, everyday they will be a part of my life. You dont have to be peta to love animals. It should be a natural thing. Everyone should love them.

[Meganox]

Its not just a stupid horse! and you dont have to be a peta person to love animals! Its time for you to go out and get some compassion, this horse just died. Im sure people are probably saying what the heck am I talking about because I said before any rude comments will be deleted so im sorry but i found yours offensive and its going.

[Meganox]

Im probably going to get bashed for this but, horses run. Im not saying I think horse racing should be kept the way it is. It was never like this. I think those whips should be outlawed and I think maybe training shouldnt be as excruciating. But when you think about it, these are horses and this is what they do. Its not like we are trainging a rabbit to run a lap. Horses naturally run and are beautiful & speedy creatures. I dont think horse racing should stop, i think it should be modified

[ladydiver999]

I wish people stop using any kinds of animals

for their amusement, gambling and entertainment. animals are beautiful, smart and fun. They need to stop. this is other kind of abuse. please stop now, please, please, please...

[gunvault100]

Simply an outstanding performance. This truely shows the heart this horse had. And the desire to run races,, at any cost..

Rest now...

[Meganox]

Im not a hardcore fan either. I mean I go to races every summer and things but I just thought this was appropriate. I was rather upset when I watched everything going on because no one focused on it. Sure I know Big Brown one and he deserved his moment to shine but she at least deserved a moment of silence. If i was in the winners circle I would have said "Before we move on, lets give Eight Belles and her family a moment of silence" she deserved it.

[donnie123h]

AMEN!!!!!!!!1

[jerblaine]

AMEN to that!!

[wilburtrex]

Today, if not all week, should be a dark day of unhappiness and grief for the lost lady.