Do you think PETA would be interested?
 

In a story of a horse that the rider tried to scratch at the gate, that the track vet refused to scratch and that horse breaks down in the stretch of the race?

Sounds like Horatio Nelson at the Epsom Derby a couple of years ago.

Dont remember that, was it a big deal?

The jock, Kieren Fallon, was worried about how the horse warmed up. He had the veterinarian and trainer, Aiden O'Brien, examine the horse at the gate. Delayed the start 10 minutes or so before they deemed him fit to run. He broke down a furlong or so out and had to be put down.

There was certainly an uproar within the racing community, but seeing how it was overseas, I don't think the American press made much of it.

wow, thats what happened today as well.

Where did this happen today?

Always thought it was bad karma to name a horse after a hero who died in the midst of his greatest victory.

Was this at Hollywood? That was one bad scene. Based on no inside information, I had my doubts based on her going off form and being scratched the last few times. Just a bad bad day.

New Movement
 

Another good one
 

yes

I was at Philadelphia Park the day of the 2006 Derby and didn't go back to the UK until after the Belmont the following weekend.

Horatio Nelson was discussed a lot but the RSPCA basically has a much better relationship with those that run racing than PETA does.

As an example the RSPCA will strive to work with Aintree to make the Grand National as safe it's humanly possible to make it.

Actually I remebered it hppening in 2005 in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
Jerry Bailey was aboard Nobles Causeway and he felt those horse was not right in the post parade and requested it to be scratched. The horse was scratched and Nick Zito was furious at bailey for even suggesting it.

Turns out ZIto enters him back a week later with a new jock and the horse instantly injures himself right after the start.

Remember that one too.

Spyder

God, I'll never forget that.....

... and you're right, Fallon did NOT want to ride him.

A ******* shame.

That was absolutely sickening yesterday at Hollywood Park. Unfortunately I was there in person. They had to put the horse down on the track. Hell should be payed for that incident. Mike Smith was furious. He threw down his whip. He's lucky that he didn't get killed. The story going around, which I have heard from two different trainers is that Mike wanted to scratch the horse before the race because she didn't feel right, but the vet said the horse was fine. I think Mike Smith can tell when a horse is lame. He's only been riding for about 25 years. There should be a few people fired including the track vet, if in fact she refused to scratch the horse.

Let's not forget Rags to Riches pulling up lame in her workout. But they refused to give her time off or retire her because they were going to run her in the Breeder's Cup no matter what. It was no surprise when she fractured her ankle in her next race. Luckily she survived.

Alot of the stuff that goes on in this business is absolutely disgraceful. If they banned all drugs, the number of breakdowns would decrease dramatically because sore horses would be able to feel pain and they would protect themselves.

I think that is the big secret in racing and could not agree more with that statement.

Wow, I can't believe the vet overruled the jock. I was under the impression that, at least in NY, the vet has to defer to the rider. I had that mutt Bridgmohan scratch one at the gate on me at Saratoga last year and was told by the Doc that his hands were tied by the rider's decision.