Kentucky Derby: Eight Belles euthanized

A sad report from Louisville, KY

Eight Belles came in second. A few strides after the place finish she fell to the ground. The Horse had broken both front ankles in her race to the finish. veterinarians immediately made the decision to put her to rest right there on the track. It was an emotional episode from elation to sadness Eight Belles was a winner to the end. She will not soon be forgotten.

Eight Belles euthanized after runner-up finish in Kentucky Derby

by Tom Law

Fox Hill Farm’s Eight Belles, runner-up after a game come-from-behind finish in the 134th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), suffered catastrophic injuries after galloping out and had to be euthanized on the racetrack as the winner’s celebration for Big Brown kicked off at Churchill Downs.

American Association of Equine Practitioners On-Call member Larry Bramlage, D.V.M., said the Unbridled’s Song filly broke both front ankles as she galloped out nearing the backstretch. She fell and threw jockey Gabriel Saez, attempted to regain her composure, and partially collapsed again as she was attended to by outriders and emergency personnel.

“Unfortunately she had to be immediately euthanized, there was no possible way to save her,” Bramlage said. “That’s an injury that is just too painful. It’s a bad injury to both front legs.”

Eight Belles was the first filly to start in the Kentucky Derby since 1999.

Source: thoroughbredtimes.com via politisite