Triple Crown Race

Did anyone watch the big race Saturday? So exciting that American Pharoah won the triple crown --- after 37 years. We're not usually racing fans, but the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont are a must watch each year. The horse was amazing and we were so touched by the jockey's excitement. You could just feel what he was feeling - and Bob Baffert (the trainer) finally achieved his goal after trying so hard for so long. But of course the horse is the real winner!

It was amazing. We were sitting at our favorite bar watching and I was slapping the bar top whispering.... hold him, hold him, hold him, hold him. NOW............. let him rip !!!!!!!!!!! My GOD American Pharoah even broke Secretariats record of speed. What an incredibly, stupendous, astonishing horse with a huge, giant heart. I couldn't believe the race. AP ran it like it was a piece of cake too.

No, I will not watch any race. Those horses suffer far too much. Any time I hear of those races I think of how sadly Ferdinand ended up. A horse won so much for his owners and he was treated that badly. I know not all horse race owners do act like that but for the others, the ones who have, its too much. I won't get into all the doping and whatnot that goes on, for me, with that, I could not in good reason watch it.

I was happy to see another triple crown winner finally.  Didn't see it live but the next day on the internet.

Like N nansiludie , I won't watch horse racing. I adore thoroughbreds, and have had 3 ex racers, and have known and ridden far more (lots of racing yards round here). I'm not going to rant, but even with good owners and trainers it's a nasty business (though I'm not convinced that you could get away with racing drugged horses...at least, in the uk rules are incredibly strict).

I, also, don't watch horse races. For one thing, I'm aware that one reason the Lipizzaners live so much longer than most horses is that they never bear a human until they're fully grown. The same cannot be said of race horses. We program them to die early.

As for the horse being the real winner, you certainly got that right. He won an early retirement to a stud farm. I hope he enjoys himself. :heart3:

Margret

 I think it was a very well deserved win and American Pharoah is a beautiful horse!

Columbine said:

Like N nansiludie , I won't watch horse racing. I adore thoroughbreds, and have had 3 ex racers, and have known and ridden far more (lots of racing yards round here).

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I also have taken TB's off the track in years past and will say that a TB has the biggest heart and work ethic of any other equine breed. I have a friend that runs a TB rescue barn out East and (years ago...) went with her to several tracks looking for horses needing a new life. Yes - it is a hard life for them. I enjoy watching the Derby, Preakness and Belmont, other than that, I also do not watch horse racing. There are good and ethical trainers and racing barns who treat their horses better than their own families. I have seen it. But, like any animal money making industry - animals are going to be abused/mistreated and that does break my heart. I see it happen in A rated horse shows all over the country and in all disciplines too - so it's not just the horse racing industry, sadly, people will do what ever they have to at the horses expense so as to win and get that ribbon, points, and end of year rating. .

feralvr I absolutely agree with you - both about the existence of great racing trainers and equine abuse in other fields of competition...not to mention everyday riding/handling (believe me, you don't want to get me started on that score...). It's simply that the way TBs have been bred for speed and speed alone creates so much suffering, and so many horses that end up broken down before their time. I also have massive issues with the age at which TBs are broken and worked. I know they're bred to mature faster than other breeds/types (Lippizaners and warm bloods being at the other end of the scale), but I hate to see horses worked so hard while their bones are still soft. There's no way around that, no matter how good a trainer you are

Columbine said:

Like @nansiludie, I won't watch horse racing. I adore thoroughbreds, and have had 3 ex racers, and have known and ridden far more (lots of racing yards round here). I'm not going to rant, but even with good owners and trainers it's a nasty business (though I'm not convinced that you could get away with racing drugged horses...at least, in the uk rules are incredibly strict).

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I don' t watch them either because I couldn't watch one of them get hurt and it happens all the time. Every time I think of any major horse race, I think of Barbaro and want to cry.  I am very happy for and proud of AP though. He's a gorgeous animal and I hope he enjoys his "retirement". 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbaro

What a tragic story I can't help feeling that euthanasia after the initial injury would have been far more humane.

Columbine said:

What a tragic story

I can't help feeling that euthanasia after the initial injury would have been far more humane.

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It was so awful. i remember when he got hurt and they tried so hard to save him but just couldn't. I cried when they finally had to let him go. Now every horse race makes me think of him and it makes me so sad. I'm not a fan of greyhound racing either but I do like to watch those magnificent  horses and dogs run free in a play setting or something like that where they are running for the sheer joy of it. 

Do you remember the big filly named Zenyatta?  She was one of the very few fillies that could compete with the boys, of course standing 17 1/2 hands high had a lot to do with it.  She was very sweet tempered too which is unusual for thoroughbreds.  Kids could pet her with no problem.  She also liked to drink her Guiness and do her little dance to please the crowd as she went into the race.  She is still doing well and earning her keep producing possible champion foals.

Denice said:

 
Do you remember the big filly named Zenyatta?  She was one of the very few fillies that could complete with the boys, of course standing 17 1/2 hands high had a lot to do with it.  She was very sweet tempered too which is unusual for thoroughbreds.  Kids could pet her with no problem.  She also liked to drink her Guiness and do her little dance to please the crowd as she went into the race.  She is still doing well and earning her keep producing possible champion foals.

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Yes and she is magnificent!!! Here's her story for anyone interested

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenyatta