Haskin: One Death Too Many

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Sagerider1 — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 23:18:05 GMT

The death of Ruffian still makes me cry. I don't know why, but I just knew that match race would be the death of her, I wouldn't watch the race, but when my mother started screaming, I knew the worst had happened. I didn't get the BloodHorse for 5 years, I couldn't bear it. I never watch races live any more. I only watch them, if I know the horses survive. That one race changed me forever.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

merasmag — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:23:09 GMT

whoa...I didn't read all the comments here but seeing many "old-timers" saying the camel's back has been broken and BelmontBarb extending condolences not only to "the connections" but also to all HERE AND IN RACING have forced me to post my LONGEST COMMENT EVER.

Intense Holiday's death is TRULY another loss for all of us, because WE are the face of racing. We are who people ask what we think about a California Chrome's chances; WE are who people ask how a Barbaro is doing. WE are who defend, explain, excuse, justify and apologize for racing on a daily basis. It is very, VERY hard sometimes, but WE are who must persevere rather than throw in the towel. While WE disagree on the minutiae on a consistent basis, WE must not forget what brought US here in the first place.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

barbaro — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 12:05:41 GMT

I have wondered many times why, after the death of one of these magnificent creatures, I continue to follow horse racing. Many times, especially after the breakdown and death of Barbaro I considered maybe this was one death too many-- but-- I returned to the sport I simply cannot stay away from. The fact is that watching these horses run like the wind in competition keeps overrides the pain I feel when one of them dies. I find myself crying too many times and once again I cried over the sad and premature death of Intense Holiday. It was so unexpected. Thank you once again Steve for putting into words what so many of us feel.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Aleine — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 21:03:14 GMT

...Speaking of these racetrack tragedies makes me wonder why the sport exists in the way that it does....I DO think about the horse when I win a wager.....though I haven't wagered in a while and here's why: What's up with tracks these days?

Are they THAT desperate for attendance at the track?

There are plenty of people doing online wagers and watching the races at the OTB's. Let's focus on the tactics of the tracks. At least maybe the attendees at the tracks will ultimately be there to watch the beautiful equine athletes at their best, their lifetime best, their racing years. It "takes a village" to produce and train an equine athlete and that fact should NEVER be discounted or cheapened by attendees.

Let's throw the disorderly kids OUT of the tracks ( I guess the parent couldn't find a babysitter that day?). Most importantly,....let's get the drunks out of there too. My local track promotes a "party on the hill" on their annual (though not this year) Derby day. Really?

How about EYES FRONT and pay attention. If you have to attend a horse race track to go to a "party on the hill" then why not just stay home? I've brought both my kids to the track since way back and they always knew why we were there: TO WATCH THE HORSE RACE. Do the drunks at the track (and I've tossed more than one) know that the true "eyes front" horse race fans are embarrassed for them? Do I want my kids to see this??!

There's enough going on when one watches a horse race - I ALWAYS hope and pray for a day at the racetrack without seeing a tragedy. I've seen horses flip over in the paddock just before the race, and injure themselves. Be respectful people: The horses run their hearts and souls that day, from claimers to champions, and they deserve enough respect from the fans that the fans won't distract them with cell phone ring tones (the reason I've seen for 2 horse flip overs in the paddock) and unruly behavior. Behave yourself, confine and contain your kids (if they're very young and restless leave them at home), and pray for a safe trip around the track......or STAY HOME!

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Terri Drennen — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 19:32:25 GMT

Another great, and yet another sad story. Why do we get attached to our animals, whether they be horses, dogs, cats, birds, etc.? Because they are living, breathing, feeling, beings, just because they cannot actually speak our language (but in a way, we that love them all know what they are saying :) and when one is lost, whether that pet, and yes, all of ours are pets before racers, as are my three beloved cats a member of my family. I'm sure you all will agree how you feel about your house pets, when they leave us, they leave an emptiness in us that really cannot be spoken in words correctly. Ruffian was IMHO, the greatest we have seen, there is only ONE horse who has been spoken of to have been better than the great Secretariat, we all know that famous quote made by Lucien Lauren, Secretariat's own trainer about her, and she was already putting Foolish Pleasure away, running him into the ground and pulling ahead like she always did; then we all know what happened. Would it have been her Reviewer breeding? Was it that she was run as a 2 year old (something we do NOT condone, they are not done growing yet!) I think if the actual quality of the horse, (it's not the horse's fault, it is the assembly line breeding that happens every year), is increased, and we have less 2 year old horses that are basically still babies being whipped to sometimes death at the 2yr old under tack shows, perhaps we can make some strides in stopping some of the tragedies. Additionally, why can't there be a percentage of every race winnings, on a scale of course, not every horse wins millions, be put into the laminitis and other horse health issues research, care, as I stated before in another post: quality before quantity. In the meantime, I shall continue to look at my collection of Ruffian items, look at incredible beauty she was, moreso than any other, and her incredible ability, and just think what I know she would have done that day of that fateful Match race had her leg not given out on her. The first nose crossing the finish line would have been hers. We do not start ours until late in the 3 year old year or early 4 year old year. It is dangerous enough as it is, why take more of a chance of a tragedy? Then, if this does happen, as it did with the gallant champion Barbaro, they do survive and this horrible condition named laminitis sets in, only to break the owners hearts again that love them with all they have. Cannot imagine the heartbreak of that, hope I never have to.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Old Old Cat — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 18:53:41 GMT

We all mourn the loss of the innocents. We love them, we want to see them do well, we hope for a glorious future. When they are taken from us, we feel a part of our heart is ripped out. We feel saddened that the hoped for glory will not be realized. We mourn for them, we mourn for us.

I knew the young woman who wrote the insurance policy for Ruffian. Days on end being there while Ruffian was examined by the vets to assess her soundness, with the Janneys, getting to know everyone intimately, including the horse, sharing in the excitement of the future, only to have a horrible, horrible ending for her dreams. She would never watch another live horse race in person or on TV. She would never read another newspaper lest it had an article about a horse dying. She said don't tell me anything about the races unless all the horses survived.

My daughter had to put down a grey grandaughter of Spectacular Bid due to skin cancer which had migrated to her innards, causing respitory and digestion problems. The mare had become more than a trail riding partner, more than a pet. We will never breed to a grey, or buy a grey, because we do not want to ever relive her pain and suffering again.

The pain we feel from the loss of these beautiful creatures stays with us forever. I find it ironic, however, that the heroic efforts by the vet to save the foal were due in large part (or entirely) to LASIX and STEROIDS. I would think that that facet of the overall saga has gone over your entire readerships' collective head.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Fred and Joan — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 12:37:05 GMT

To Quinnbit, there is an old saying that goes like this, "Better to have loved than not at all" We love and enjoy all of our horses and feel great sorrow upon their passing. We have found it is better to have a great attachment to them so as to ensure proper bonding with them, the horsemen who gave their horses the best care were always the ones who didn't become to detached from them. Horses are not cars or inanimate objects and have feelings and opinions of their own. One must always be prepared for sudden loss which can come at any time to anyone anywhere. Again we feel for the people associated with Intense Holiday and hope they have better experiences in the future.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Rachel'sRay — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:00:15 GMT

So sorry to hear of Intense Holiday's passing. Thank you for the heartfelt tribute. My husband and I lost our 1/2 Arabian colt, Tucker, to anaphylactic shock just as he was coming out of gelding surgery 8 years ago. Vet administered an antibiotic to prevent infection, and he was gone within minutes. We had no oxygen in the barn, and the drugs she had on the truck just didn't work. We tried CPR, epi, etc. It was the most traumatic thing I have ever been through. So for Intense Holiday to have survived what he went through after being foaled, and then lose the battle with laminitis just seems such a cruel fate. I have seen horses at the boarding stable where I have my horses go through this awful disease, and have also assisted in the intense care required to get them through it. The owner of the barn lost their beautiful Arabian mare to laminitis nearly 11 years ago, and the loss and grief still linger. We have seen two of their other horses go through successful treatments, but the fear of it never goes away. I am truly sorry for everyone involved. My condolences to all those connected to Intense Holiday. May God comfort your hearts.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

fightonfig — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:47:31 GMT

It seems only a stakes horse matters! Baffert lost one

the other day in training also, not much mention !

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

MyBigRed — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:19:24 GMT

I know how you feel, Steve. I was perusing photos of "Fly Down" yesterday on the internet & stumbled on an article stating he had died May 1st of Colic in Saudi Arabia. My Heart was crushed. I have adored "Fly Down", since his birth & cried in 2011 when he was sold & moved overseas.

We get attached to the Horses, & they are in our blood. It hurts so bad when they die, so young.

I am so sorry for the grief you have endured. Rest assured, Someday we will see the Champions again, Galloping Forever in Heaven. God Bless :)

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Windolin — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 05:14:13 GMT

So many beautiful and heartfelt sentiments about Intense Holiday and all horses.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

vbon — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 01:34:55 GMT

Thanks for that beautiful tribute to that courageous athlete, to all the others who provide us with thrills, and to this, the sport that elevates and inspires us.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Izzybeth — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 00:41:19 GMT

RIP beautiful Intense Holiday and my sincere condolences to all his connections.

And then there was Black Caviar's younger brother, known only as "Jimmy", who was lost to laminitis after being bitten by a white spider in Australia. He had just begun his race training. Seems he developed an allergic reaction to the antibiotics used to combat infection that precipitated the onset of the dreaded disease. I, too, lost a beloved racemare to laminitis and it broke my heart. She was an appendix Quarter Horse whose offspring all did well on the track. I guess it doesn't matter what continent or horse breed because the dreaded disease can and does strike them down everywhere.

I rarely comment but just had to this time. Thank you Steve for your sincerity and mostly soothing words that all of us on this blog take to heart. Never give up, Sir! You are much too important to this wacky world of horse racing, and your insights are always welcome.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Ida Lee — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 22:33:11 GMT

I've always known there is that one horse whose death I'm not going to be able to handle and will chase me out of the sport in bitter tears. I found out who that horse was when I read the headline last year that read "Rachel Alexandra in Serious Condition". I just stopped reading immediately and refused to even look at my computer until my husband who was following every word written about Rachel told me she was out of danger. The first death of a loved one in my young life and who left me traumatized for decades was Ruffian whose name I could not even mention until a couple of years ago. This sport is not for the weak of heart. At present, I'm hoping that one day soon I can think of my beloved Summer Bird without feeling my heart break all over again.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Quinnbit — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 02:26:36 GMT

Having spent my life around horses I am always saddened when a horse passes.

I had the great fortune of growing up on a Thoroughbred breeding farm. My same age cousin and I spent our adolescent summer days painting three rail wood fences white, mowing lawns, hoeing gardens, moving irrigation pipes, bucking bales and having rotten tomato fights. Some weekends we got to go to the races at places like La Mesa Park, Centennial, Pikes Peak or on long holiday weekends we might even go to AkSarBen, we awaited those weekends with a feverish anticipation. On some occasions when we were at the track we were allowed to walk hots, wow what a privilege. As we matured into teenagers we were lucky that my father started to train his own horses, he previously had hired others to train his horses. Late spring of our 17th year we were given one the best gifts of our lives, we got to be grooms. We got live in a tack room on the backside. We got to wake up at 4:00AM to feed. We got have our own muck tub, pitchfork, rake, and grooming kit. These were great privileges; mucking stalls, washing sheaths, packing feet, doing up horses, pulling manes, tacking, bathing, paddock schooling, grooming and most of all we got to live and breathe Thoroughbred racehorses most of our waking hours.

We had only been doing our job for a few weeks when my father in is most infinite wisdom saw a danger looming. Us boys (myself, my cousin, and our fellow friend/groom) were doing a great job, all the horses coats shined, many were starting to dapple (all of the horses other than the unraced babies were coming off 6 month layoffs, all had 75 days of galloping at the farm)so seeing the horses bloom so quickly he could tell we were doing a good job. One morning about three weeks after we had arrived at the racetrack, just after morning chores my father surprised us when he said he needed talk to us, it surprised us cause he was a man of few words. We assumed the worst, we were going to get fired and sent back to the farm. He started, "I have to tell you boys to be real careful not to fall in love with these horses, they can get colic, break a leg or something else and then they are gone. I see how how much you care about them, just be careful. It is a better choice to respect and enjoy them, I'll say it again, don't fall in love with them because they can be gone in an instant". We learned a lesson that day none of us has ever forgotten.

Rest in peace Intense Holiday.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Steve Haskin — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:40:40 GMT

Thank you very much, Freetex. You have no idea how good that makes me feel.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

sceptre — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:38:43 GMT

RammieF:

I vehemently disagree with almost all you said. It is precisely that type of superficially sweet sounding rhetoric that allows others to look the other way, and justify their selfish passions at the expense of animals' lives. There's just too many others out there like you; frustratingly preventing needed change and altered perspective.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Freetex — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:25:02 GMT

Mary Jo in Florida: I was shocked to read that Gourmet Dinner was entered in a $16,000 claiming race this Saturday at Parx. I can hardly stand this news.

My breakaway may be the fate of Win Willy who continues to race at age 8. I worry about him constantly. If his connections or trainer or someone who knows them read this blog please, please, let Win Willy retire before its too late. Its none of my business I am just a fan who cares about Willy 's future.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Jersey Girl — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:08:02 GMT

Hi Steel Dragon, So very true that every breakdown is horrifying. I do think that those who choose to participate here do so because this blog is different, because it is precisely about the beauty of the sport. It is the true hook at this forum, with the tote board adding immeasurably to the fun, adventure and possibilities for many, including myself.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Freetex — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:07:30 GMT

I have reached the breaking point more than a few times and retreated from racing only to return once again. Steve, whether you believe this or not its always your words that have brought me back.

You have expressed your love of the horses so many times over the years. I find it amazing when there are many sports writers who seem to be so far removed from that feeling of a thoroughbred.

Many, many, tears later I still love the sport and wish it was what it could be. Thank you once again for your words. They help immensely.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Fred and Joan — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 18:42:52 GMT

To Windolin and the many others who have lost a special horse, we entirely understand your losses. In 2010 our farm lost our first farm stallion, Count Mein Too, to what the veterinary hospital believed to be cancer. We will NEVER get over it. Count was the kindest , most gentle thoroughbred stallion we have ever handled. We could allow complete novices to ride him in the barn without worry or allow BLIND horse lovers the opportunity to brush and pet him as he was very patient and kind towards people. He was also the FASTEST horse we have ever trained to saddle. The first time we really let him open himself up at a gallop we wish we had been wearing our goggles! Upon his last night on our farm alive, we noticed ever horse, foals broodmares, yearlings and even our present stud Slewquero all came up to him and nickered and snuffled to him as they knew he was going to pass away soon. We have Count buried by our house under a flaming red maple tree. There was however a miracle in the making! Two weeks before Count died he had managed to breed Adbass Slew ONCE, and next year Count and Slews Miracle, a filly was foaled. We have had the incredibly good luck to not have ever had a horse diagnosed with laminitis, although we have shod an Arabian horse who had laminitis in his rear feet! Our sympathies go out to the people involved with Intense Holiday and hope they will have good memories of their horse. Intense Holiday we were also hoping he would make a complete recovery but alas it was not to be. Maybe Count and him are all running together in that large green pasture across the rainbow bridge. Amiable Acres farm.

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Arts and Letters — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 15:10:08 GMT

Steve - I sent a couple of comments a few days ago that never made it onto the list. They weren't incendiary (I think) so I'm not sure why. Just wondering if they even got through to you? It's a little disheartening.

Thanks!

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

Steel Dragon — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 03:57:50 GMT

Let's not forget that the everyday sight of a $ 7,500 claimer breaking down is as horrifying and depressing as the big time tragedies we all remember.

I also can't believe that out of 119 comments, only one person admits to being hooked on the tote board as much or more than the beauty of the sport.

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RedRose777 — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 23:39:25 GMT

NobleDancer's post was awesome.

I love horse racing and always will. It's in my blood...just as running is literally in the blood of these fabulous equine athletes. I lost a brother at a young age to a devastating disease, and it was at that point in time that I realized in this system of things, with every life comes death. Whether regarding humans, horses or any other creature, some live long lives, some die middle-aged, some die young, and some die in between. Circumstances are too great to ever know the hows or whys of what ends each life. All I truly know is that we have to appreciate the moments and times we experience. Intense Holiday provided many great moments for his connections and fans. He was special. All thoroughbreds, whether successful or not, are special and beautiful. God's memory is without limit, and he has promised a better time when death will be no more. I yearn for that time, but for now, we must live life without fear and anxiety. We must appreciate life, live in a healthy manner, treat all humans and animals with the greatest respect, and we must understand that for now, death has escaped no man...or creature. Yet those who are living must go on. God bless the connections of this horse and all the others who have passed, no matter the age or reason.

re: Haskin: One Death Too Many

smarie — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 17:23:59 GMT

Add yet another horse's name to the list of those who died recently; Socialbug. Mr. Haskin, there aren't any other sports whose athletes die more often than horse racing unless you are talking about Greyhound racing.

I don't know if it seems like there are more deaths all the time because of the ease of communications nowadays or not but the death toll for Thoroughbreds because of humans and sport is never ending.

I too saw Ruffian break down, along with Go For Wand, George Washington, Prairie Bayou, Eight Belles, Barbaro, and too many others to mention here. Each time, a bit of my heart felt torn out. One hears of horses competing at smaller race tracks who seem to be held together by duct tape and drugs and have no business being forced to run anymore. Do most get a safe retirement? I don't believe so. Some people seem to think that these animals are machines and treat them as such. Horses are being bred at astounding numbers. Stallions suffer injuries from continual breeding. Mares are being bred well into their 20th year in hopes of getting "the big one." No retirement for them. We hear of trainers, vets and owners who will resort to using illegal drugs and other means to keep their horses running. When these issues come to light, far too many in racing refuse to acknowledge the issues and nothing ever gets done to stop the cruelty. Racing protects cheats. To far too many people, it's the money that matters, not the horses. Racing is incredibly resistant to change. Look at other professional sports. Changes have been made and mainly for the betterment of the athletes and for the fans. People claim to want another Triple Crown winner but seem to be breeding mainly sprinters and milers these days. It's like taking a race car to a 500 mile race and hoping to win with only 400 miles worth of fuel. I can't think that pushing 2 year olds to run as fast and as hard as possible at sales just to impress a potential buyer is a good thing. But it continues to be done. The horses and often times the jockeys are paying a tremendous price for racing's refusal to try to clean up it's act. Each and every idea that is suggested to try to help improve the sport is met with resistance from owners, trainers and many fans. I agree with Dr. Drunkinbum. It is time to back away. I can't justify my enthusiasm for horse racing any longer.

God bless you all.