Home > Furman Bisher > Archives > 2008 > May > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThoroughbreds in U.S. get best care
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What most Americans never realize - while stricken by the drawn-out emotional saga of Barbaro or the crushing calamity of Eight Belles, caught on live television in one of our major sports’ traditional events - is that 55,000 horses were slaughtered in this country each year as late as 2004. That’s an approximate figure, and a large percentage of the victims are not racing thoroughbreds but, in many cases, somebody’s family playmate.
Naturally, when Eight Belles went down in the Kentucky Derby, animal lovers who arise from their slumber to leap to the fray in such highly publicized situations used this situation to reap every headline they could. A filly, racing against male horses, finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, then breaking down on camera — what an arousing target.
The folly of it is that no horse lives a better life than a racing thoroughbred. Pampered, petted, provided a carefully supervised diet, and bedded down in its own private suite each night.
The value of such equine royalty escalates with each visit to the winner’s circle. Then follows the after-race life of promise as a breeder. No animal could have been more patiently coddled than Eight Belles.
Now, would you care to hear the story of some thoroughbred classics that didn’t come to such a fairy tale end? Imagine, if you can, the winner of a Kentucky Derby coming to his end in a can supplying food on somebody’s table in Japan. It happened. Ferdinand won the Derby in 1986 with Bill Shoemaker on his back, then the Breeders’ Cup Classic the next year. Retired to stud, he was sold to a thoroughbred farm in Japan. He hadn’t been a successful sire in this country, so why was he expected to produce there? When he didn’t, Ferdinand was sold and came to his end in a slaughterhouse in 2002.
In 1978, there was no finer race horse in America than Exceller. Nor in Europe, where he won classic stakes, both on turf and dirt. In one race in this country, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, he beat both Affirmed and Seattle Slew, two Triple Crown champions, coming from 22 lengths off the lead. At Saratoga he has a place in the Racing Hall of Fame, but in Sweden he became a food item, slaughtered in 1997 when he failed as a sire.
In this country, such champions wind up in the Kentucky Horse Park, a kind of living museum. In Sweden, they wind up a victim of slaughter. And Exceller was a statuesque figure of a horse, but as I usually say, all race horses are things of beauty, surely not meant for dog or people food.
So the Belmont approaches and with it the anticipation of the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed. Hovering over the sport, though, is still the memory of Eight Belles’ breakdown.
Big Brown has had no serious challenger, nothing to whip up the memory of Affirmed and Alydar, straining every fiber to cross the finish line first. Affirmed won the races but Alydar won the breeding crown, a star in the stallion barn. Sorrowfully, Eight Belles is gone, but her tragedy should take nothing away from Big Brown’s day in the sun.
To be honest, this is not one of the better crops of 3-year-olds, but were it not for Big Brown, it wouldn’t register. Probably the surest confirmation is that after the Kentucky Derby, only one other horse in that field chose to challenge Big Brown in the Preakness.
And I still look back at the moment of truth, when trainer Rick Dutrow strode so confidently to the board at the Derby drawing and chose the outside post with three other inside gates open.
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Comments
By tvnewsbdge
May 27, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
In an eassy on well the American racehorse is treated, Alydar is a very poor example.
He did not end up in the Kentucky Horse Park. He ended up with a leg intentionaly broken so he could be “put down” for the insurance money, “star in the stallion barn” notwithstanding.
TvNB
By Wendy
May 27, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Thank you for your nice article. I have 2 thoroughbreds here I fostered off the track. They were saved from Slaughter by the FOB board. This on- line board was mentioned in the recient HBO documentry on Mountaineer park. One of the horses I have was just such a horse- mare destined to Sugarcreek. You are welcome to visit her. Bailey is quite possibly the smartest mare I have ever encountered and I have lots of horses. She is drop dead beautiful…The other a giant Bay gelding was racing in Maryland became too slow and was on his way fast to no where good. He was stabled in the crowd of blueblood racing. I will adopt out both of them to loving homes in the near future… Come see what is thrown away…. Wendy-
By Diana
May 27, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Alydar was a star in the stallion barn and should be remembered for that. The fact that he was put down for a questionable leg fracture had nothing to do with his greatness and the true fact that he was a champion. I am tired of the bad comments people have made about these great animals after they are gone. This is not the right place or time for that!
By Bo
May 27, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
For generations, our family has greatly admired Thoroughbred horses. A portrait of Assault hangs in our family room, surrounded by paintings of our family horses. Assault’s picture was passed from grandparents to parents to us and will be passed on to our children. I have often studied Assault’s portrait and thought of all that we have discovered about the world of horse racing, over recent years. I find watching a race almost impossible to do and no member of our family will attend, due to our knowledge of the “industry”, the horrific breakdowns resulting in the need for euthanizing on the track, drugging and, worst of all, the slaughtering of the most magnificent athletes in the horse world. We have contributed to the rescue of Thoroughbreds from slaughter auctions and to one surgery to remove bone chips from a knee. And we will continue to contribute to the saving of these fine horses, though I am beginning to feel that the many people involved in the rescues are mopping up after an “industry” ridden with scandal, from top to bottom. I have such admiration for the horses that run the races, but great disdain for the industry.
I know good horse people who are a part of your world and some who work at the track, so I request that you stop denying and do all within your power to encourage immediate corrections. Over breeding, starting horses at too young an age, poor living conditions, drugs, whipping the horses around the track and utilizing the slaughter option are major complaints shared by many thousands of horsemen and fans. This is the world of horse racing and it is a world that must change and change radically, if it is to survive in an age when the welfare of horses is moving rapidly to the forefront. I request that you spearhead reforms and at the speed of “The Club Footed Comet” - Assault.
After retirement, Assault lived out the rest of his life at King Ranch, where he was foaled. When Assault passed away, September 2, 1971, he was buried where he was foaled, on King Ranch. Thankfully, Assault did not meet the same fate as Ferdinand. Some may not know that Ferdinand was eaten by the Japanese.
By posting a comment
May 27, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Usually in trying to find aswers to horse health and maintenece topics I’ve found Sweden as a very progressive country. I’ve noticed it popped up on my radar for a lot of interesting issues.
I think in the US we made slaughter issues such a circus it’s taking our focus off the ball of what really can be done to benefit the animals, such as a program to enhance stamina and soundness versus speed.
In short - I thnk Babaro was symbolic of the US - lots of technology in it’s attempts and lots of discussion in the compassion of saving horses but there was never any discussion to geld him. It was often mentioned he had a potential future as a stud. Frankly, after seeing Eight Belles fate, that is a role I’m glad he didn’t fufill.
By Mari
May 28, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
The folly of it is many idiots think the race horses live a life they would have chosen for themselves! These two paragraphs are antithetical to the existence of a “natural” horse! These unfortunate racing TBs have no clue how to be “just a horse”. Their lives are dictated to them from early morning until they retire. What horse feels pampered when he spends 21 hours out of 24 hours in a 12x14 foot boxstall? You have got to be kidding me!!!
He has no conception of an afternoon grazing on grass in the sun. He’s on a REGIMENTED diet! He has no clue what it feels like to spend leisure time as a companion to other horses. He cannot run and jump and play for fear of an injury. He has been taught other horses represent competition to him…. not companions. He lives in a world of his own, created by humans. He is their servant!! He’s clipped, groomed, bathed, vetted, farriered, routinely exercised on the track and drugged within an inch of his life!!! He is no longer an animal, he has become a vehicle for winning a purse. He’s a victim of greed, and if he does not live up to fulfilling this greed, he is relegated to the slaughterhouse.
I am incensed by this fairy tale article, that contains more hype than realism. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. I cannot help but wonder who paid you to write such a diaphanous article….
By Ken Myers
May 28, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
PETA and other animal rights people will disagree with this column.
By JBUG308
May 28, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Mari, what is the difference between the thoroughbreds going to the slaughterhouse and the others that someone just doesn’t want anymore, half starved, abused. Get off of your anti-capitalist rant and just accept the article as it is. Most people can fathom the thought that someone might make a buck on behalf of an animal. Veterinarians? Most of them are ethical, but I’m sure there are some who make questionable calls to jack up the bill more. I think some folks just can’t accept the fact that in the U.S. more people adopt, donate charity and take care of animals more than it is mentioned.
By Pug
May 28, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
We are not PETA members. We are life long horse people, Ken. Get a grip and know your subject. If you can’t do this and decide right from wrong, please do not waste space posting.
By D.WARD
May 28, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
A congressional subcommittee has demanded information from state racing commissions about racehorse injuries, drug use, and breeding. The United States House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection sent a letter to the Lexington-based Association of Racing Commissioners International, which represents state racing commissions in 44 jurisdictions.
The committee, which includes U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, a Kentucky Republican, cited concerns that “leading officials in the sport” have failed to tackle long-standing concerns over the welfare of the Thoroughbred horse. The committee cited the breakdown of the filly Eight Belles after the May 3 Kentucky Derby, saying it shows the “Thoroughbred breed has become increasingly fragile.”
The committee demanded answers by June 2, the week of the Belmont Stakes. The Louisville Courier-Journal reported the letter on its Web site May 23.
The subcommittee is expected to hold a hearing on the issues, similar to those it has held on jockey health and welfare in the Thoroughbred industry. The AP report also indicated Congress may look at the Interstate Horseracing Act, which authorizes simulcasts across state lines.
The panel has jurisdiction over the commercial practices of sports and gambling. It has previously investigated steroid use in baseball.
The death of Eight Belles has spurred debate about the medical condition of horses.
By Debbie
May 29, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Thank you for your article. It is by far the most intelligent one I’ve read so far on the subject. I have visited a well known thoroughbred training facility several times and saw first hand how these horses are treated. They are cared for, pampered, have state of the art therapy facilities, and, they are LOVED by their caregivers who know the personality of each horse!
By gary
May 29, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
About the argument that horses did not make that decision to be race horses; how many dogs and cats made the choice to be pets? Would you advocate we set them all free?
By B, Oliver
May 29, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
UPDATE………(I do hope you see fit to post this one.)
http://www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/
And now we’re going to do a little Asshat Outing. I received this about the horses who were featured in the recent HBO documentary about how racehorses wind up going to slaughter. This ID’s all the individuals responsible. If you know any of these people in real life, it’s your job to TELL them how disgusting they are. Or, hey, give us their e-mail addresses and we”ll be happy to help!
Kappy - registered name: Kannapolis. Kannapolis was sent by Mountaineer Park trainer, Gary Bowersock and owner Paul M. Brown Sr., from his Mountaineer Park backstretch stall to Sugarcreek. Another Mountaineer Park trainer and part time backstretch meat-man, Wilson Langley, transported Kappy to Sugarcreek. The fact that Kappy had raced 45 times winning 12 races and over $94,000.00 clearly meant nothing to his connections. Lame and painfully thin, they tossed him away like yesterday’s garbage. Outbidding a kill buyer, we paid $550.00 to save Kappy’s life. (Kappy has already found his forever home with Carol Hodgeman where he will enjoy his well earned retirement as a companion to Carol’s sport-horse Max!!)
Star - registered name: Cinema Star. Cinema Star was sent by his Mountaineer Park trainer and owner, Loren G. Cox from his Mountaineer Park backstretch stall to Sugarcreek. Star was transported off the backstretch by the well-known backstretch “meat-man” Dick Rudibaugh. Cinema Star, a son of Silver Charm raced 43 times winning 5 races and over $147,000!! In 2002 Star sold at the Keeneland Yearling Sale for $260,000. Lame from what we would later be diagnosed as a basal sesamoid fracture, the brave and regal Cinema Star was tossed away like nothing more than used chewing gum. Outbidding a kill buyer, we paid $525.00 to save Star’s life. (According to our veterinarian, Star will be sound for use as a light riding horse, following a brief 60 days of pasture rest. Star is currently available for adoption).
Ellie - registered name: Elegant River. Elegant River was sent by her Mountaineer Park trainer and owner, Edward Clouston from her Mountaineer Park backstretch stall to Sugarcreek, via backstretch meat-man Dick Rudibaugh. Ellie raced 19 times winning only once with earnings of nearly $15,000. Her only “crime” being that she just wasn’t very fast, Ellie too was tossed away like a pair of old shoes. Outbidding a kill buyer, we paid $525.00 to spare her life. (Ellie is sweet, beautiful, sound, and quiet to ride. Ellie is currently available for adoption)
The additional 3 Sugarcreek horses whose rescue was facilitated by a most generous anonymous donor (you know who you are!!) along with the Fans of Barbaro (FOB’s)
Yourgie - registered name: East Over Baghdad. East Over Baghdad was purchased by kill buyer Fred Bauer for $425.00. We later paid $525.00 to purchase “Yourgie” from Bauer in order to spare his life. We dont know exactly how Yourgie ended up at Sugarcreek, but we do know that he raced 26 times winning 3 races and over $52,000. Having last raced at Charlestown racetrack on 12-23-07 for trainer Angelmarie A. Dwoskin and owner, River Rock Stable. This stunning 16.3 hh, very sweet gray gelding also was thrown away by his connections to be sold as meat-on-the-hoof. (Yourgie has an old attached bone-chip in his knee which the vet feels is a non-issue. He is currently recuperating from a slight ligament strain, and it is believed that he will be sound for most riding endeavors following a brief period of rest. Yourgie is currently available for adoption).
Belle - registered name Bam Attack. Bam Attack was purchased by Sugarcreek Auction owner and kill buyer Leroy Baker for $475.00. We later paid $525.00 to purchase Belle from Baker in order to spare her life. We don’t know who brought our beautiful Belle to Sugarcreek, but we do know that she raced 50 times, winning only 2 races and just over $18,000. Clearly Belle also committed the ultimate horseracing “crime” of just not being very fast. Bam Attack last raced on 1-29-08 at Beulah Park for trainer, Jack W. York and owner, Robin Harvey. (Belle is a beautiful, sweet, sound, and quiet girl. She is easy to ride, and is currently available for adoption).
Ollie - registered name Zagor’s Deco Due. Zagor’s Deco Due was also purchased by Sugarcreek Auction owner Leroy Baker for $370.00. We later paid Baker $445.00 in order to spare his life. “Ollie” is the oldest of our gang of 6 having been foaled in Illinois in 1995. At 13 years old, I’’m certain that Ollie would have a LOT of stories to tell us if he could only talk! During his racing career, Ollie raced 88 times, winning 8 races and over $57,000. He last raced at Beulah Park on 5-7-05. If anyone out there can help us fill in the blanks as to where Zagor’s Deco Due has been all the years since his last race, we would love to hear from you! (Ollie is a sound and kind boy. He is blind in one eye due to an injury that was left untreated. Ollie is adjusting to his recent loss of vision, and is sound and quiet to ride. Ollie is currently available for adoption).
It is with a heavy heart that I feel I must mention those who we were unable to save on April 11, 2008. May their sweet and gentle souls forever rest in peace. We will forever remember you. Please forgive the inhumanity of man, and know that you did matter to us and that each and every one of you were very much loved.
Miss Fancy Gold - 2004 Dark Bay or Brown Filly. Raced 23 times winning 1 race and earning nearly $18,000. Miss Fancy Gold last raced at Beulah Park for trainer Edward J. Harvey and owner Karen L. Harvey. Miss Fancy Gold last raced on 4-7-08, only 4 days prior to being sold to slaughter.
All Be At Once - 2002 Bay Horse. All Be At Once raced 6 times never winning a race and earned just over $1,000. His last racing start was made at Fairmount Park in Illinois on 6-26-07 for trainer John K. Witthauer and owner Daniel E. Beard.
By Laura
May 29, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Thanks to private donor 163 horses were saved from slaughter at the Sugarcreek Livestock Auction, the one featured in the HBO report. Several former thoroughbred race horses were saved from slaughter that day. With the recent tragic deaths of high profile race horses such as Eight Belle’s, the Racing Industry as a whole has been put on notice to reform by the public and even members of it’s own industry. The welfare of the horses in the racing industry has been held under the microscope for many reasons like use of medications, steroids, and the use of whips during racing. The largest killer of American Race Horses, slaughter for human consumption, has been vastly ignored in the mainstream media. During round table discussions about the safety of race horses on two different networks the day of the Preakness Stakes, the slaughter of thousands of former race horses was completely ignored by both panels.
By Ken Stallings
May 29, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Once again, the wizened Furman Bisher tells the truth too many others ignore or else are ignorant of!
There are too many Americans who wish to professionalize in the self-flagellation of their nation, culture, and society. It seems clear they are humiliated over being American — they hate their society and want it changed and want it changed now. Until it is changed, they will argue, yell, agitate, and browbeat everyone at any time.
Yet, the reality in America is so much better than that generally found in the rest of the world.
Bisher is a wise man. He’s wise in age. He’s old enough to recognize how life used to be, and been around the world often enough to form a logical basis of comparison. No doubt he greets these chic America-bashers with the same mix of concern and incredulity as do I.
When one of these horses break down on the track, or in the stud field, I have yet to see its American owners fail to break down in tears. Often they cry like they lost a child. Indeed, these people do regard their horses as though they are children.
Horses are magnificent creatures. That is considered a given among those who’s profession is dedicated to the ownership, sire, training, and care of these animals.
There was a time in America where animal rights advocates served a useful purpose of pointing out cruelty. Today, like so many issues, it has morphed into a wicked overly politicized monstrosity!
Eight Belles was not a horse to these agendists. She was an object of publicity. She served their narrow-minded purposes. But in their shrill claims of evil on the part of this horse’s owners, trainers, and jockey, they repeatedly revealed their own warped and evil views.
Some of these publicists actually said they wanted the jockey suspended for life, deprived his right to earn a living. Such abject cruelty reveals an inhumanity. I find it specious to believe someone inhumane could legitimately care about animals.
By Dorrie Fletcher
May 29, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher; Please, could the ajc please write an obit for the mighty little horse, Theodore (Teddy. “the Pony”) O’Connor who had a freak accident yesterday and had to be put down? He was short listed for the Olympics and had a gold at the pan am games - all 14.1 hands of him. He was a pony - technically, and averadged eight inches shorter than all the other horses in Three Day Eventing. It was a sad day for everyone who loves horses yesterday, you see, people of all horse disciplines cheered him on, even non-horsey people. He had might, he had scope and he never knew he was a little horse. He was a great athelete and deserves a mention. thanks you
By Dorrie Fletcher
May 29, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher; Please, could the ajc please write an obit for the mighty little horse, Theodore (Teddy, “the Pony”) O’Connor who had a freak accident yesterday and had to be put down? He was short listed for the Olympics and had a gold at the Pan Am games - all 14.1 hands of him. He was a pony - technically, and averaged eight inches shorter than all the other horses in Three Day Eventing. It was a sad day for everyone who loves horses yesterday, you see, people of all horse disciplines cheered him on, even non-horsey people. He had might, he had scope and he never knew he was a little horse. He got a lot of people interested in Eventing when it need it. He was a great athelete and deserves a mention. thanks you
By Al
May 31, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Michael Vick’s dogs, don’t fight as expected be killed. Race Horses don’t perform as expected be slaughtered,no difference.