Why was this allowed to happen???

[brockguy]

It's a shame that he died in such circumstances..

on a brighter note about older horses running read below::

ENDA BOLGER saddled three runners in his attempt to win the La Touche Cup for an incredible tenth consecutive time and, to the joy of the Punchestown crowd, it was stable stalwart Spot The difference who made sure his monopoly continued.
The 29 fences and 4m2f of this contest take a fair bit of getting, but the 14-year-old Spot The difference knows every inch of them and the reception he received after the race was the biggest of the week so far.
Taking over the lead coming away from 'Rubys Double' for the final time under John Thomas McNamara, he knuckled down well to defeat staying-on stable companion Freneys Wells, under Nina Carberry, by four and a half lengths, with the gallant Star Performance in third.
"He's just a brilliant horse and this is all down to Spot," said Bolger - who later received a presentation from the course's executive for his achievement.
"You can only be hopeful beforehand, as it's a novelty race where anything can happen. Stamina is his thing and he had a good man on his back today."
Owner JP McManus will leave plans for Spot The difference - who was winning the race for a second time - to his trainer. He said: "Enda can decide that, as he knows best what to do. I've had this horse since he was five and have been very lucky to have him."
Bolger intends keeping him in training for next season. He said: "Sonny Somers was 18, so I don't see any reason to stop now, as long as he loves people and racing. We'll have a look over the summer. He's 14 but he enjoys life, loves being in training and loves human beings - except the vet."
Comparing this win to the many big-race successes he has experienced over the years, McManus added: "They're all special, but when you win with a 14-year-old giving a stone to the younger brigade, and when he had to dig very deep, this is a very special day. I suppose the purists would find it hard to believe, but I'm as happy to win the La Touche as any race at the festival."
For McNamara, this was a fourth La Touche success, having won it before on Bolger's Risk Of Thunder five years ago and Good Step in 2005. He also teamed up with 'Spot' when scoring in 2004, and he admitted he was a bit concerned when stable companion Moyglass, under Conor O'Dwyer, set a decent clip up front.
He said: "They went very fast early on, and this ground is a bit quick for him, but, as we all know, Spot comes home.
"He seems to know when he's getting near the winning pole but he's getting better with age, like a good wine."

[ArlJim78]

Yeah, its just part of the the game with these chasers. You have to be ready for several of them to go down from tripping or exhaustion each race. Its all just part of the sport. Horrific spills and death are the norm and are accepted in each race.

why would anyone want to question whether it was advisable to let a 15 year old horse race more than 2 miles over jumps when he was off over one year with leg injuries and had been pulled up in his three previous races?
i guess the standard is as long as they're still standing, send 'em on in there.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

Yeah, its just part of the the game with these chasers. You have to be ready for several of them to go down from tripping or exhaustion each race. Its all just part of the sport. Horrific spills and death are the norm and are accepted in each race.

why would anyone want to question whether it was advisable to let a 15 year old horse race more than 2 miles over jumps when he was off over one year with leg injuries and had been pulled up in his three previous races?
i guess the standard is as long as they're still standing, send 'em on in there.

See, I guess I'd see it totally different if he broke his leg. As it was though the horse ran well and didn't suffer an injury so it appears he was sound to run. A fluke thing happened after the race and his heart gave out which is sad but nothing to be outraged about.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

See, I guess I'd see it totally different if he broke his leg. As it was though the horse ran well and didn't suffer an injury so it appears he was sound to run. A fluke thing happened after the race and his heart gave out which is sad but nothing to be outraged about.

I'm not trying to express outrage, I'm merely asking if there should be better safeguards for old-timers. How old is too old to race? Doesn't there have to be a cutoff at some point? Weren't there some signs that this guy maybe should have been allowed to enjoy his retirement and not asked to compete in a grueling race?

Given the outcome I don't know how one could conclude for sure he was sound to run. True his legs were not injured but are you really so sure that the heart giving out was totally unrelated to his age? None of us know all the facts about this case but I just don't think its a knee-jerk reaction to question whether its appropriate to races horses under those circumstances at that age.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I'm not trying to express outrage, I'm merely asking if there should be better safeguards for old-timers. How old is too old to race? Doesn't there have to be a cutoff at some point? Weren't there some signs that this guy maybe should have been allowed to enjoy his retirement and not asked to compete in a grueling race?

Given the outcome I don't know how one could conclude for sure he was sound to run. True his legs were not injured but are you really so sure that the heart giving out was totally unrelated to his age? None of us know all the facts about this case but I just don't think its a knee-jerk reaction to question whether its appropriate to races horses under those circumstances at that age.

I wasn't saying you were outraged. The one quote in the article said they were outraged. From what I understand of that sort of event many horses actually peak at much older ages. For all we know the horse may have been miserable the past year not able to compete which is why they brought him back. If so, at least he died doing something he loved instead of being miserable for the rest of his life in some field.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

Yeah, its just part of the the game with these chasers. You have to be ready for several of them to go down from tripping or exhaustion each race. Its all just part of the sport. Horrific spills and death are the norm and are accepted in each race.

why would anyone want to question whether it was advisable to let a 15 year old horse race more than 2 miles over jumps when he was off over one year with leg injuries and had been pulled up in his three previous races?
i guess the standard is as long as they're still standing, send 'em on in there.

Im sure your opinion of this sport would change if you spent a year here in Ireland or the UK..

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by brockguy

Im sure your opinion of this sport would change if you spent a year here in Ireland or the UK..

how so? explain.

i really kinda doubt it. I try to keep an open mind to things, and have given the sport a look. I just find it unappealing to see horses falling and dying in each race.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

how so? explain.

i really kinda doubt it. I try to keep an open mind to things, and have given the sport a look. I just find it unappealing to see horses falling and dying in each race.

I feel the same way, not a big fan of watching an event where multiple horses are going to fall every race.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I feel the same way, not a big fan of watching an event where multiple horses are going to fall every race.

When I try to watch I find myself just holding my breath and tensing up on every jump, hoping that they all make it over.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

how so? explain.

i really kinda doubt it. I try to keep an open mind to things, and have given the sport a look. I just find it unappealing to see horses falling and dying in each race.

i respect you alot and I know you follow racing worldwide.. However, I dont think you fully understand how deep steeplechase racing is part of this part's culture, heritage, community etc.. For example, alot of the horses that go out hunting also race on the track as well.. Racing over jumps is such a local event that it really has to be seen to be appreciated..

MMSC's article highlights the unfortunate aspect of older horses dying.. its very unfortunate, but all racing has that type of element to it that makes it so bittersweet. Steeplechase racing does have enough accidents and falls, but only a very small amount of these accidents result in horses being put down - not each race as you wrongly suggested>. Its extremely sad when these things happen and it does remind everyone how brave and courageous these animals are.. For example, the two biggest cheers at the punchestown festival last week were for a 14yo and a 13yo..

These horses are well looked after and most are treated extremely well when they do retire as they approach their teens (some as shown by the examples above race on!). Where would they be if they didnt have jump racing as an option - they'd be nowhere....

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by brockguy

i respect you alot and I know you follow racing worldwide.. However, I dont think you fully understand how deep steeplechase racing is part of this part's culture, heritage, community etc.. For example, alot of the horses that go out hunting also race on the track as well.. Racing over jumps is such a local event that it really has to be seen to be appreciated..

MMSC's article highlights the unfortunate aspect of older horses dying.. its very unfortunate, but all racing has that type of element to it that makes it so bittersweet. Steeplechase racing does have enough accidents and falls, but only a very small amount of these accidents result in horses being put down - not each race as you wrongly suggested>. Its extremely sad when these things happen and it does remind everyone how brave and courageous these animals are.. For example, the two biggest cheers at the punchestown festival last week were for a 14yo and a 13yo..

These horses are well looked after and most are treated extremely well when they do retire as they approach their teens (some as shown by the examples above race on!). Where would they be if they didnt have jump racing as an option - they'd be nowhere....

I completely agree. Although i prefer flat racing but most of my friends prefer the jumping game. It is a way of life in many areas of the UK and throughout most of Ireland.

It's much easier to be connected to when living over here. I'm sure American perceptions would change if they lived across the pond for a while.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Horrific spills and death are the norm and are accepted in each race.

Slanderous lecher!!!

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by brockguy

i respect you alot and I know you follow racing worldwide.. However, I dont think you fully understand how deep steeplechase racing is part of this part's culture, heritage, community etc.. For example, alot of the horses that go out hunting also race on the track as well.. Racing over jumps is such a local event that it really has to be seen to be appreciated..

MMSC's article highlights the unfortunate aspect of older horses dying.. its very unfortunate, but all racing has that type of element to it that makes it so bittersweet. Steeplechase racing does have enough accidents and falls, but only a very small amount of these accidents result in horses being put down - not each race as you wrongly suggested>. Its extremely sad when these things happen and it does remind everyone how brave and courageous these animals are.. For example, the two biggest cheers at the punchestown festival last week were for a 14yo and a 13yo..

These horses are well looked after and most are treated extremely well when they do retire as they approach their teens (some as shown by the examples above race on!). Where would they be if they didnt have jump racing as an option - they'd be nowhere....

Well I don't question at all how deeply it is rooted in the culture, and I don't exactly understand how my percption of the races themselves would be changed by knowing the local culture. I know that its part of the culture and people love it. I don't question that part. That much is obvious to me. Seeing how much people get into it piqued my interest and I have watched it on TVG early Saturday mornings over here. I'm sure its an exagerration on my part to say there are falls every race, but if i try to fairly estimate it I would say for sure its more than half of the races I have watched. I know sometimes they just roll and there is no great sustained injuries, but still. It just gives me the impression of being almost cruel, the distance, combined with the jumps, towards the end of the races you can see that the horses are so tired that it enhances the chances that they are going to miss the jump. The only good point is that they are running rather slow so it lessens the risk of injury. The fast dirt racing over here is also inherently dangerous.

I just feel that we should look after them, and give the old-timers who have been good warriors a break when they seem to be on the decline.

Anyway, thanks for your comments, its just a matter of taste and preference I guess.