5-year-old Spider Bride, a career maiden-claimer who never finished above 4th, has been reported dead by the NYS Gaming Commission from a training injury suffered April 29 at Finger Lakes. The official line: “pulled up during workout – exam revealed palpable R shoulder fx – euthanized.” Her trainer, Pablo Torres.
Also, 8-year-old Down Town Allen, a multiple stakes winner with over $1 million earnings, was, according to multiple press reports, euthanized Monday for injuries (suspensory tear) sustained in a race at Charles Town on April 18. The vet: “…we all wanted to do absolutely everything [cast, hyperbaric chamber, special shoe] we could to save her.” Breeder/owner/trainer John Casey: “She…loved being a racehorse…she was also like a pet that was a part of our family.” (Isn’t it funny how “family member” status is reserved for those who win a boatload for their owners?)
Two mares: One, a cheap, disposable claimer for whom no extraordinary measures were taken and whose death garnered zero media coverage; the other, a hugely successful “champion,” a potential future breeding machine for whom “everything” was tried and whose obit was shared widely. This is horseracing.
Susanne, what a way with words! Thank you!
Amen, Susanne, amen! Racing needs to go bye bye!
oh, well, a family member …. yes, I drug my family members on a regular basis, have someone whip them to “perform” (most of all: let them compete on a high level even if they are not healthy) and then, once they are unable to perform up to my expectations, I euthanize them …. hmmmm … or do I not do it ???
Why does the word “abuse” and “slavery” and “inhumane” pop up in my mind?
To put it in plain old American words: “horse racing sucks”!
Greed + $ + detestable people = thoroughbred racing.
Rose,
You hit the nail on the head, they are both free from their TORMENTORS…That is all racing is – a license to torment, torture and kill.
Marlene Thornley
The greed is palpable ! Earnings of over a million dollars. Eight starts since August 2014 and 8 wins ! Earnings of $236.76 for the year 2014. So, Mr. Casey “she” was like a pet and like a part of your family ! Is that anyway to treat a member of your family. Even though Down Town Allen was 8 yrs. old you could not stop ! Was it just because “she loved being a racehorse” or because you loved the money ?
And Spider Bride how did you fracture your shoulder. There were no details given.
You are now free of your tormentors. R.I.P.
The two are mutually exclusive: To have us believe a horse is loved and considered “a part of our family” and then to make it race. It is an insult to anyone who does love their horses and family.