Obviously this is a common occurrence ("a horse breaks down on the track 1.5 times for every 1,000 starts"), but rarely are these "breakdowns" so publicized:
Just 600 yards from the finish, Horatio Nelson, the second favorite in the race for 3-year-olds, stumbled and was pulled up by jockey Kieren Fallon after breaking a front leg, and was later euthanized.One wonders if the veterinarian who inspected Horatio is guilty of malpractice:
Fallon appeared to have concerns about his mount before the race, and was quoted in The Racing Post as having said the horse was "a bit stiff" before the 18-horse field entered the starting gate. But the colt was examined by a track veterinarian and cleared to race, according to Horesracing Regulatory Authority spokesman Paul Struthers.This happens all the time, and the only reason we're hearing about it so much now is due to the Preakness injury of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. Pressure must be stepped up against the horse racing industry now (and it is -- but more), because the tendency of the public is to eventually let these incidents slip from memory.
"Horatio Nelson was examined at the start of the Derby by one of the racecourse veterinary surgeons who consulted Aidan O'Brien, who was present at the start," Struthers said. "The veterinary surgeon and the trainer agreed that they were satisfied that Horatio Nelson was fit to compete.
"Following the race the horse was taken to the veterinary treatment center and several X-rays were taken of the injured leg. They revealed that Horatio Nelson had suffered fractures of the cannon and sesamoid bones and a dislocation of the fetlock joint. Sadly the injuries were considered to be too severe to be repaired and the horse has therefore been euthanized."
Tags: horse racing | euthanasia | horses
