Death at The Kentucky Derby: Eight Belles Tolls for Thoroughbred Racing

The time has come for the "Sport of Kings" to realize its place in the American sports lexicon.

A spectator sport that needs to pass into the history books and join other barbaric and greedy spectator pastimes that employ animals for amusement. There is, and has been for some time now, little difference between horse racing and cock fights, bull fighting and dog racing.

Each erroneously labeled sport is based on the same premise. Animals that have no say in the matter other than to please their masters. These same magnificent athletic creatures performing as any circus animal would for treats and, in many cases, faux affection. Animals that while they may have cost someone a pretty penny are nothing more than disposable flesh should they fail to return on their investment. 

Thoroughbred horse racing was once a major sport in this country, well before the days of pay-per-view, 24-hour sports networks and fantasy leagues for everything from marbles to motor sports. Before live carnival style broadcasts which allowed for every flaw and foible to be magnified.

But horse racing today is a dying sport, on a day-to-day basis at tracks and OTB parlors across the country followed and wagered on only by a sordid mix of degenerate gamblers and cigar-chewing nonagenarians who have little more than this as their main source of entertainment. It is sad and even pathetic to walk around the concourse at many a race track and try to imagine what was once a civilized industry that has for years now wallowed in mediocrity and perpetual avarice.

I speak from experience, having covered the Triple Crown from barns to the Winners Circle. These are the showcase events, where an international audience gets to see the sport at it's finest. Dressed in colorful hats, replete with celebrity red carpets, and of course presenting their young athletes as those who are cared for with white glove efficiency. Receiving nothing but affection and attention, as they "love to run and show off for the adoring crowds". They were "born to race, bred to be champions", and have it in their respective hearts and souls to flash by the grandstand in a blaze of equestrian excellence. 

What is not shown at these events, and rarely if ever witnessed by even those who crowd the grandstands or tune in for those exciting 2 minutes, is the dark and tragic side of a sport featuring truly disposable heroes.

Even those who make their living in this industry are keenly yet often silently aware of the slaughter that takes place on a stunning level. It was only 5 years ago that over 40,000 horses were slaughtered in this country. To be sure, not all of these were thoroughbreds. Investigators cannot get a handle on the exact number because, as one might guess, the industry would rather numbers such as these remain private and hazy at best.

It should also be pointed out that not every thoroughbred owner treats their animals as little more than overseas dog food once their productive days are over. There are many doing whatever they can to insure these proud and prideful animals are neither abused nor slaughtered. The ones who genuinely love their animals and treat them as much more than an investment. They are gaining in number, but are still overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of horses killed because they couldn't turn a profit.

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