EIGHT BELLES
From AlexBrownRacing
Contents |
TRAGEDY STRIKES THE 2008 KENTUCKY DERBY WITH THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BRAVE FILLY EIGHT BELLES
Eight Belles ran her heart out -- and she was all heart. Eighteen males finished behind her. The nearest, Denis of Cork, was 2¾ lengths in her wake and overmatched, while the others staggered toward the wire outclassed not only by Big Brown, but by the only filly in the field whose effort will be remembered in eulogy rather than history.
Eight Belles' heart carried her to places she had never been, surrounded by a thundering phalanx of horses, racing a distance that carried them all into the unknown, well beyond any in her experience. For every stride of 10 furlongs she gave everything she had, then, the race over, a statement made in exclamation, she gave her life.
Eight Belles ran on with a courageous determination seen in few horses -- the best horses, the horses you remember -- running the race of her life, which would not see another sunrise. She followed the early speed, and ran past them when they tired. Though Big Brown ran past her -- no horse was going to beat Big Brown on Saturday -- the others never threatened Eight Belles.
Eight Belles gave Derby's most valiant effort ESPN Sports by Paul Moran 5/4/08
Breeder: Robert N. Clay & Serengeti Stable
Winnings: 10 Starts: 5 - 3 - 1, $708,650
At 3: Won Fantasy S.(G2), Honeybee S.(G3), Martha Washington S., 2nd Kentucky Derby (G1)
Foaled February 23, 2005
Eight Belles Bio by Bloodhorse Including pictures
Media Coverage
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. She came into the Derby off four consecutive victories this season, including the Honeybee Stakes (G3) and Fantasy Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park for trainer Larry Jones.
The death of Eight Belles came one day after Saez and Jones teamed to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Proud Spell.
Bred in Kentucky by Robert Clay and Serengeti Stable, Eight Belles finished 4 ¾ lengths behind Big Brown, who won in 2:01.82.
(by Tom Law of Thoroughbred Times 5/3/08)
Eight Belles Honored in Public Memorial Bloodhorse 9/7/08 Video of Memorial service 5 parts Excerpt: “She put in such a gallant effort that day and we couldn’t have been more proud of her efforts, and more devastated at what happened. “She stole a piece of my heart, and when she fell that day she ripped a big piece of my heart right out. But I’m so glad she found her resting place right here, in this fabulous garden of Churchill Downs.” (Larry Jones)
Eight Belles to Be Interred at Museum Bloodhorse 6/3/08 Excerpt: Churchill Downs also announced it is renaming the $150,000 La Troienne Stakes (gr. III) in honor of Eight Belles. The race for 3-year-old fillies will continue to be run on the Kentucky Derby day undercard in 2009. The racetrack also plans to conduct an “eight bells” ceremony on Kentucky Derby day in 2009 in the filly’s memory, with details to be announced at a later date.
He lost a horse but is keen on keeping reputation Philly.com 6/1/08 A greast article about Larry Jones, Eight Belles' trainer
Defending Saez and recalling Ruffian DRF 5/23/08 Excerpt: "The kid didn't do anything wrong," are the words of Hall of Fame jockey Jacinto Vasquez. (Ruffian's Jockey)
Eight Bells for Eight Belles The Rail (NY Times) 5/23/08 by Melissa Hoppert
TCA receives grant from UPS for Eight Belles Memorial Fund Bloodhorse 5/20/08
Pimlico jockeys wear patches to honor Eight Belles Courier-Journal 5/17/08
Eight Belles' Necropsy Report Released Bloodhorse 5/15/08 Nothing unusual found
Protecting the health of our equine athletes Baltimore Sun 5/14/08 by Edgar Prado
Eight Belles' Gift to Seabiscuit Author Bloodhorse 5/9/08
Eight Belles trainer deals with loss Philly.com 5/5/08
Eight Belles Tragedy Is Hard to Take Washington Post (By John Scheinman) 5/5/08
Eight Belles--Farewell to a Champion American Chronicle-Rebekah Price 5.04.08 Excerpt: Barely three years old, this formidable filly showed her great heart and gave her very life leaving an indelible mark on all who witnessed her last moments. In spite of the celebrations, we all lost a little today: a great filly like Eight Belles doesn´t come along often.
Trainer for Eight Belles doesn't blame sport for filly's death Baltimore Sun 5.04.08
Filly’s Death Casts Shadow Over Kentucky Derby NY Times 5/4/08 by Joe Drape. Excerpt: "I don’t think you can blame the injury on the racetrack or say that Polytrack would have prevented it. She was done with the race, we’re all the way through the end, and I don’t think the forces on her legs pulling up would be any different on dirt or artificial surface." (Dr Bramlage)
Triumph, and Then Tears, at the Derby NY Times 5/4/08 by BILL FINLEY. Excerpt: “You don’t know why it happened,” Jones said “She ran a whale of a race, the race of her life. She ran great.”
Blog Roll: The Day After The Rail (NY Times) by Bob Goetz
Horse Lover’s View From Inside the Industry The Rail (NY Times) by Jim Squires 5/3/08 Excerpt: Instead of being raced eight or nine times by the time the Triple Crown rolls around, maybe we can get by with three or four. Big Brown and Curlin certainly did.
Filly Eight Belles 'Went Out in Glory' Bloodhorse 5/3/08 Excerpt: “She went out a champion to us. She was our family. I saw my son yesterday and my daughter today, but I saw Eight Belles every day. She had been with us for a year." (Jones)
‘We Lost a Terrific Horse’ The Rail (NY Times) by Alex Brown 5/3/08
A Take on a Filly’s Courage The Rail (NY Times) by Jane Smiley 5/3/08
Eight Belles can't be saved DRF 5/3/08
Media pre-Derby
Eight Belles officially out of Oaks, in Derby DRF 5/2/08
Eight Belles Belongs in the Derby The Rail (NY Times blog) by Jane Schwartz 5/2/08
Jones confident Eight Belles will hold her own TB Times 5/1/08 Excerpt: “I don’t think she will be intimidated by the colts and she’s big enough that I don’t think any of the colts will try to intimidate her.” (Jones)
Eight Belles likely for Derby with post position five TB Times 4/30/08
As insurance, Eight Belles enters Oaks DRF 4/29/08
Why the Filly Has a Chance The Rail (NY Times blog) by Jim Squires 4/29/08
Waiting on Eight Belles The Rail (NY Times) by Alex Brown 4/25/08
'Day-to-Day' on Eight Belles Decision Bloodhorse 4/17/08
Eight Belles Could Run in Derby Bloodhorse 4/16/08 Excerpt: “We know she’ll get the distance, number one, and we know she has a lot of heart,” he said. Based on her talent, her ability, and her versatility, we think she belongs and can compete with colts at the very top end. We wouldn’t run her if didn’t think we could win (the Derby).” (Porter)
Derby possible for Eight Belles TB Times 4/14/08
Fantasy: Eight Belles Scores Another Win Bloodhorse 4/9/08
Eight Belles Faces Three in Fantasy Bloodhorse 4/6/08
Eight Belles Has Easy Time in Honeybee Bloodhorse 3/20/08 Excerpt: “She’s a very talented filly and so is Proud Spell,” said trainer Larry Jones. “We’re very blessed. Both of them ran the same or better times than the boys; Proud Spell was faster than Pyro in Louisiana."
Eight Belles coasts to Honeybee score TB Times 3/16/08
Racing Record and Videos
Race Record: 10-5-3-1
| Date | Race | Finish | Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05.03.08 | Kentucky Derby (GI) | 2nd | KD Video |
| 04.06.08 | Fantasy (GII) Oaklawn Park | 1st | Video |
| 03.16.08 | Honeybee (GIII) Oaklawn Park | 1st | Video |
| 02.17.08 | Martha Washington Stakes Oaklawn Park | 1st | Video |
| 01.21.08 | Allowance - Fair Grounds | 1st | Video |
| 12.23.2007 | Allowance - Fair Grounds | 2nd | Video |
| 11.30.2007 | Allowance - Fair Grounds | 7th | Video |
| 10.30.2007 | Maiden Special Weight - Delaware Park | 1st | Video |
| 10.15.2007 | Maiden Special Weight - Delaware Park | 3rd | Video |
| 04.15.2007 | Maiden Special Weight - Delaware Park | 2nd | Video |
Videos in Tribute to Eight Belles
Official Eight Belles Memorial Service Part 1-5 September 7, 2008
On and Off the Track, A Heart of Gold: Eight Belles
Discussions on ABR
Eight Belles televised? 9/7/08
EIGHT BELLES' FINAL RESTING PLACE 9/7/08
FOBs at Belles' memorial this Sunday 9/3/08
Eight Belles - How Sweet the Sound 5/18/08 Poem to Eight Belles
Jockey wears tribute to Eight Belles!
Eight Belles Wristband benefit MHR
What I think happened to Eight Belles
condolences to larry jones Address for condolence cards: Mr. Jones att: c/o Delaware Park, 777 Delaware Park blvd, DE 19804
Interesting Article-Washington Post
This Guy So Totally Gets It!! Not really, but I am adding the discussion here for the comments...
In honor of Eight Belles--saving Belle
Rockport Harbor Website
Fundraisers
Eight Belles Wristband benefits MAHR
Bloodhorse article regarding Wristband
AC4H NH on Monday TB's rescued in Eight Belles name
