I am sorry about Ferdinand as all horses slaughtered but in Ferdinand his owners did not follow his path in Japan and therefore he met a terrible end and the sad part is that it took his death to change laws. I believe be it dog, horse, elephant , any animal thru entertainment, or breeding that makes money for the ownders deserves a respectful end of life, they are owed that/ Patsy McCaw-Yager Englewood ,Fl.
I remember watching this race. I still have the image engraved in my memory of Ferdinand walking into the gate, his chestnut coat shining, as bright as a new penny. Bill Shoemaker was one of the best and I always paid attention to the horses he rode. I miss seeing both him and Charlie Whittingham.
(3) That could be ended by doing what PETA wants (I do not support them) and classify horses as companion animals rather than livestock, but the raising and management of horses is subsidized by the federal and states governments, so doing so would end the subsidizes and bring an end and to professional horse racing. If that is what the American public wants, it is fine with me, but stop deluding yourselves that you are not part of the problem.
(2) By ending horse slaughter and processing in the U.S. what we have accomplished is sending the business outside the U.S. were here is much less oversight (The top five leading horse meat producing countries in 2007 were China, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Argentina). It may make some of you feel good, morally superior, waving fingers at other countries, but the problem here is over production. That could be ended by doing what PETA wants and classify horses as companion animals
(1) While I wish Ferdinand end had been different, some of these hysterical posts are ridiculous. Ferdinand was never advertised as "Eat an American Champion". Horses consumed for humans in Japan are mostly raised for that purpose, Ferdinand was most likely used for animal feed. Over 1 billion people in the world ear horse, and that number is growing. Japan doesn't rank in the top 8 in terms of consumption, it may not even be in the top 10.
What happened to Ferdinand is a shame, but it's also a real shame with Joe the Plug is used up, and sold to slaughter too. Horses shouldn't have to die that way, and no owner with any decency would send a horse to the abattoir.
Now, people who can't afford their horses anymore just abandon them. Sometimes a dairy farmer will check his cows and think, "Where did those ten horses come from?" Or, they abondon them on land that is owned by coal companies in Kentucky.
The trainer or owner had nothing to do with it - he was retired to stud and didn't do anything sire wise right away. He was sent to Japan for breeding and apparently didn't make the grade there...and no one was watching to follow up on him. Horses are still sent to other countries for breeding
This was my first derby pick to win and I was 6 years old. Picked him because we had a cow named Ferdinand. So this horse always holds a spot with me. To think of this horse being sold and taken to a slaughter house makes me sick. How does something like that happen to a champion derby winner. I could whip someones ass over that.
It was a really tragic death of Ferdinand --- ended up in a slaughterhouse! Personally I think it was more tragic than Eight Belles' one in this year's Derby.
Was that true about what happened to Ferdinand? I just really find that hard to believe - I can't see that happening to a winner who had value. I really can't. Thigs I said 'not known for sure, but it is believed to be...'
If by "more" you mean more of his races, search YouTube for "1987 Breeders Cup Classic", "1987 or 1988 Santa Anita Handicap", or "1988 San Bernadino Handicap" for starters...you'll see Ferdinand up close and in the prime of his racing life against his great rival Alysheba and other fine horses.
As for stories about him, type "Ferdinand (horse)" into your search bar and plenty of articles about him should come up.
He was slaughtered because he was only making around $8,000 dollars a year for stud. That wasn't "enough" so he was sold to a slaughter house for around $200 dollars, just to be rid of him. A hero to our country, and a much loved horse killed do to ignorance. Many in America i'm sure would have given much more than that just to save Ferdinand.
He was my hero as a child. When I heard what happened to him in Japan I cried...... If they can kill a Derby Winner, imagine the horrors many "unknowns" may suffer! *Tear*
My mom and I actually owned one of his boys for several years and sadly due to financial issues couldn't keep him any longer but he was such a beautiful, heart warming, goofball lol. After he landed jumps and knew he did good he would snort and bounce around all excited like. He raced for short while before bowing a tendon. his race name was "Instant Delivery". He was a big boy too. he stood about 7.2 hands. miss him a lot. I'm very upset about his dad being slaughtered.
We slaughter hundreds of thouands of horses each year in this country -- to be eaten overseas by humans. Please contact your Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor HR 503 and ask your Senators to co-sponsor S311 -- help us ban the slaughter of horses; support the American Horse Slaughter Protection Act.
The story about Ferdinand makes me sick. What a waste! I once rescued a horse from slaughter who turned out to be my favorite horse of all time....we had an extraordinary bond. I hope to rescue another one someday.
It is despicable that these great champions along with thousands of horses are slaughtered each year. Ferdinand was a champion, yet he died unloved and forgotten and terrified in a foreign country. Two slaughterhouses still operate in texas. there are numerous organizations out there now, trying to put an end to this animosity. we should support them any way we can.
I'm proud to associate with all of you for the wonderful sentiments you share about Ferdinand and Exceller. It IS a crying shame what happened to them. Truly breaks my heart. Very tragic what happened to Mr. Shoemaker as well. Those people who advertised Ferdinand's body for consumption in that way should be ashamed. Absolutely appalling and disturbing. Take care everyone.
too bad he was slaughtered.
Dementca 4 months ago
Like Exceller, I'm thinking of you, Ferdinand. You won't be forgotten.
LoriTopazz 5 months ago
I am sorry about Ferdinand as all horses slaughtered but in Ferdinand his owners did not follow his path in Japan and therefore he met a terrible end and the sad part is that it took his death to change laws. I believe be it dog, horse, elephant , any animal thru entertainment, or breeding that makes money for the ownders deserves a respectful end of life, they are owed that/ Patsy McCaw-Yager Englewood ,Fl.
pbaileyjame 10 months ago
I remember watching this race. I still have the image engraved in my memory of Ferdinand walking into the gate, his chestnut coat shining, as bright as a new penny. Bill Shoemaker was one of the best and I always paid attention to the horses he rode. I miss seeing both him and Charlie Whittingham.
LookinatLife 1 year ago
(3) That could be ended by doing what PETA wants (I do not support them) and classify horses as companion animals rather than livestock, but the raising and management of horses is subsidized by the federal and states governments, so doing so would end the subsidizes and bring an end and to professional horse racing. If that is what the American public wants, it is fine with me, but stop deluding yourselves that you are not part of the problem.
711ATOM 1 year ago
(2) By ending horse slaughter and processing in the U.S. what we have accomplished is sending the business outside the U.S. were here is much less oversight (The top five leading horse meat producing countries in 2007 were China, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Argentina). It may make some of you feel good, morally superior, waving fingers at other countries, but the problem here is over production. That could be ended by doing what PETA wants and classify horses as companion animals
711ATOM 1 year ago
(1) While I wish Ferdinand end had been different, some of these hysterical posts are ridiculous. Ferdinand was never advertised as "Eat an American Champion". Horses consumed for humans in Japan are mostly raised for that purpose, Ferdinand was most likely used for animal feed. Over 1 billion people in the world ear horse, and that number is growing. Japan doesn't rank in the top 8 in terms of consumption, it may not even be in the top 10.
711ATOM 1 year ago
Ferdinand, Snow Chief, Broad Brush. From what I've heard during my 11 years of watching horse racing, they were all great racehorses and sires.
Stamolka1986 1 year ago
oh no he got slaughtered!!
Manny4587 1 year ago
Does Peta know that they have buy back clauses now for the horses?? Probably not. They only look at the bad in things.
21Sarabi 2 years ago
What happened to Ferdinand is a shame, but it's also a real shame with Joe the Plug is used up, and sold to slaughter too. Horses shouldn't have to die that way, and no owner with any decency would send a horse to the abattoir.
melc1949 2 years ago
Silver Charm also stands at stud in Japan and has had as little success there, I think, as he did here.
Venckman 2 years ago
Sunday Silence is buried at a breeding farm in Japan.Regardless of that,I'd like to see our horses back home in America.
moorparkgirl 2 years ago
Now, people who can't afford their horses anymore just abandon them. Sometimes a dairy farmer will check his cows and think, "Where did those ten horses come from?" Or, they abondon them on land that is owned by coal companies in Kentucky.
gogomountain 2 years ago
we should learn the lesson: take care of (your) animals !
FabulousBet 2 years ago
And Exceller was slaughtered in Sweden for food.
Patricia
patteel 2 years ago
The trainer or owner had nothing to do with it - he was retired to stud and didn't do anything sire wise right away. He was sent to Japan for breeding and apparently didn't make the grade there...and no one was watching to follow up on him. Horses are still sent to other countries for breeding
JanH1961 3 years ago
This was my first derby pick to win and I was 6 years old. Picked him because we had a cow named Ferdinand. So this horse always holds a spot with me. To think of this horse being sold and taken to a slaughter house makes me sick. How does something like that happen to a champion derby winner. I could whip someones ass over that.
jdman270 3 years ago
It was a really tragic death of Ferdinand --- ended up in a slaughterhouse! Personally I think it was more tragic than Eight Belles' one in this year's Derby.
myfrobert 3 years ago
Was that true about what happened to Ferdinand? I just really find that hard to believe - I can't see that happening to a winner who had value. I really can't. Thigs I said 'not known for sure, but it is believed to be...'
namesdntexist 3 years ago
yes this great horse was slaughtered and eaten by the enlighened japanese .
seattlerob7 3 years ago
thanks cf1970 i really enjoy researching these horses
fancysmamma 4 years ago
You're very welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.
Have a good weekend!
cf1970 4 years ago
why isnt there more on this great horse..
fancysmamma 4 years ago
If by "more" you mean more of his races, search YouTube for "1987 Breeders Cup Classic", "1987 or 1988 Santa Anita Handicap", or "1988 San Bernadino Handicap" for starters...you'll see Ferdinand up close and in the prime of his racing life against his great rival Alysheba and other fine horses.
As for stories about him, type "Ferdinand (horse)" into your search bar and plenty of articles about him should come up.
Hope that helps.
cf1970 4 years ago
Rampage. Nice run. Probably the last, if not only horse to break his maiden at Canterbury Park, MN and get a check in the Derby.
mtsubnative 4 years ago
couldn't have said it better myself
lovwildlife 4 years ago
He was slaughtered because he was only making around $8,000 dollars a year for stud. That wasn't "enough" so he was sold to a slaughter house for around $200 dollars, just to be rid of him. A hero to our country, and a much loved horse killed do to ignorance. Many in America i'm sure would have given much more than that just to save Ferdinand.
horsegurl039518 4 years ago 2
He was my hero as a child. When I heard what happened to him in Japan I cried...... If they can kill a Derby Winner, imagine the horrors many "unknowns" may suffer! *Tear*
Elisabetta611 4 years ago
please support old freinds
retirement for race horses
one of Ferdinands sons live there
also view their videos under old friends
thanks for keeping the attention on this
pbaileyjame 4 years ago
My mom and I actually owned one of his boys for several years and sadly due to financial issues couldn't keep him any longer but he was such a beautiful, heart warming, goofball lol. After he landed jumps and knew he did good he would snort and bounce around all excited like. He raced for short while before bowing a tendon. his race name was "Instant Delivery". He was a big boy too. he stood about 7.2 hands. miss him a lot. I'm very upset about his dad being slaughtered.
bre6205 4 years ago
We slaughter hundreds of thouands of horses each year in this country -- to be eaten overseas by humans. Please contact your Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor HR 503 and ask your Senators to co-sponsor S311 -- help us ban the slaughter of horses; support the American Horse Slaughter Protection Act.
Machbragal 4 years ago
The story about Ferdinand makes me sick. What a waste! I once rescued a horse from slaughter who turned out to be my favorite horse of all time....we had an extraordinary bond. I hope to rescue another one someday.
audioambrosia 4 years ago
It is despicable that these great champions along with thousands of horses are slaughtered each year. Ferdinand was a champion, yet he died unloved and forgotten and terrified in a foreign country. Two slaughterhouses still operate in texas. there are numerous organizations out there now, trying to put an end to this animosity. we should support them any way we can.
labolli 4 years ago
I'm proud to associate with all of you for the wonderful sentiments you share about Ferdinand and Exceller. It IS a crying shame what happened to them. Truly breaks my heart. Very tragic what happened to Mr. Shoemaker as well. Those people who advertised Ferdinand's body for consumption in that way should be ashamed. Absolutely appalling and disturbing. Take care everyone.
cf1970 5 years ago
He did was he was asked to do and was rewarded by being slaughtered. They even advertised his meat as "Eat an American Champion."
Mainehorsenut 5 years ago
oh my god, thats so awful, is it true that Excelller was was also slaughtered?
luvlife77 5 years ago
Unfortunately yes
slug863 5 years ago
It is tragic that Ferdinand was slaughtered in Japan. We should never export our Thoroughbreds overseas.
bullwinkle1989 5 years ago