While for many of those running the sport of horse racing it may have been better had the autopsy on Eight Belles shown problems with the horse’s health, this was not the case. There has been much speculation about the breakdown of Eight Belles at this year's Kentucky Derby but the report from the medics has confirmed that there were no diseases or bone defects with the horse. So where does this leave the industry?
Since the fatality there have been growing demands for major changes to the sport and in particular the type of tracks on which the horses are asked to run. The fact that Eight Belles broke both ankles during the race has not gone unnoticed and while it was something of a freak accident it does bring the safety of the sport into the spotlight.
While US horse racing continues to lead the industry forward there are many people monitoring how the sports ruling bodies react to the calls for change. Even though there is a universal acknowledgement that it is impossible to take away all of the risks associated with the sport, many feel that more could be done to protect these fine racing machines – quite what, remains to be seen.
While for many of those running the sport of horse racing it may have been better had the autopsy on Eight Belles shown problems with the horse’s health, this was not the case. There has been much speculation about the breakdown of Eight Belles at this year's Kentucky Derby but the report from the medics has confirmed that there were no diseases or bone defects with the horse. So where does this leave the industry?