RIP Eight Bells Kentucky Derby filly

[Catlady711]

You ran beautifully Eight Bells and gave it everything you had to finish second when many thought you couldn't do it at all. You gave your all but your glory was short lived as they helped you to the Rainbow Bridge after the race.

May you always run free and without pain in the greenest pastures and lay under shade trees near the river over the Rainbow Bridge. You were beautiful, the world will miss you.

[sasvermont]

I don't know. I know these horses are bred to run, but geeze, aren't we putting them at such risk by running them to this point.

I love horses and think they should have better surfaces to run on, not run at all, for money, or maybe better leg preparation.

I am sick.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Rest In Peace Beautiful Girl

[jennielynn1970]

I don't know. I know these horses are bred to run, but geeze, aren't we putting them at such risk by running them to this point.

I love horses and think they should have better surfaces to run on, not run at all, for money, or maybe better leg preparation.

I am sick.

I feel the same way. It's so sad what happens to these beautiful creatures. I'd prefer that they didn't race like that at all, as you said, have better leg prep or support.

[Felicia's Mom]

R.I.P at Rainbow Bridge, Eight Bells!

[chocolatepuppy]

So sad. Rest in Peace Eight Belles.

[Karen]

Race freely at the Rainbow Bridge, beautiful girl. It is sad that horses are bred so that they are so fragile that these things happen.

Race through the fields of golden and green
Feel the wind rush through your silk mane
Run free and with joy, forget all your pain
And someday with your humans you'll be united again

Sweet filly, Eight Bells, so swiftly you ran
Rouse out the next watch, like the bells of your name
And when next thunder graces our springtime skies
We'll think of you, and all the great champions
Whom across the Rainbow Bridge fields now fly

What a race, no start gate, just horses set free
You, Barbaro, Man of War - all racing beautifully
And all of the nation mourns you, and weeps
But we'll see you all again someday
At the great Rainbow Bridge Derby

[BC_MoM]

Not only are they racing them to the point of exhaustion, but they run them so young when they are at so much risk for injury - I can't believe people allow it to go on.

RIP sweet filly.

[pitc9]

I've never watched a horse race in my life (or dag race for that matter) because watching it angers me SO much.
But for some reason.... I sat down at my in laws house and turned on the TV just seconds before the start of the race and I watched it. Tears in my eyes while I'm watching it knowing that these beautiful creatures have had and always will have their bodies pushed too far. Then... at the end of the race a camera pans over and shows her down on the track and I lost it.

I waited for the announcer to get back live with her vet, and he announced that they had ended her pain right there and then.

I was so upset I was speachless when my in laws and hubby came in and asked me what was wrong.

Run free now Eight Bells...Your body will never be pushed to the brink again, you are free to run IF you ever want to again.

I don't know why I was in front of the TV at that exact time or why the TV was already on the correct station, or why I sat and watched it. But I was and I'll forever be haunted by what I saw.

[kohala]

My husband is always saying: "Freedom for the Stallion - freedom for the mare and colts"
May your hooves fly across the Rainbow Bridge, Eight Belles.

[Taz_Zoee]

I'm with Angie on this one. I cannot watch races. I can't stand to see horses fall. Even in movies when I know they are trained to fall. It always makes me cry.
Thank goodness I was not watching this race.

RIP Eight Bells