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24.04.2018, Etzean, Hessen, GER – Pferde schlafen auf der Weide. Gestuet Etzean. (Jahreszeit, Fruehling, Fruehjahr, Weide, Koppel, Haltung, Pferdehaltung, Pferde, Vollblut, Englisches Vollblut, Vollblueter, artgerecht, liegen, liegend, ausruhen, ruhen, doesen, schlafen, muede, Muedigkeit, Herde, Pferdeherde, Gruppe, dösen, müde, Müdigkeit, Frühling, Frühjahr) 180424D131ETZEAN.JPG *** 24 04 2018 Etzean Hessen GER Horses sleeping on pasture Gestuet Etzean season spring spring pasture paddock posture horse keeping horses thoroughbred English thoroughbred thoroughbred humane lying lying resting resting doesen sleeping tired tired herd horse herd group dozing tired fatigue spring spring 180424D131ETZEAN JPG
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24.04.2018, Etzean, Hessen, GER – Pferde schlafen auf der Weide. Gestuet Etzean. (Jahreszeit, Fruehling, Fruehjahr, Weide, Koppel, Haltung, Pferdehaltung, Pferde, Vollblut, Englisches Vollblut, Vollblueter, artgerecht, liegen, liegend, ausruhen, ruhen, doesen, schlafen, muede, Muedigkeit, Herde, Pferdeherde, Gruppe, dösen, müde, Müdigkeit, Frühling, Frühjahr) 180424D131ETZEAN.JPG *** 24 04 2018 Etzean Hessen GER Horses sleeping on pasture Gestuet Etzean season spring spring pasture paddock posture horse keeping horses thoroughbred English thoroughbred thoroughbred humane lying lying resting resting doesen sleeping tired tired herd horse herd group dozing tired fatigue spring spring 180424D131ETZEAN JPG
Derby races might be one of the most thrilling events to follow, but they have their share of unfortunate mishaps. One of them is the ordeal of baby horses who lose their lives due to excessive performance pressures. Recently, the internet mourned the heart-wrenching news of two baby horses leaving the world three days before the Kentucky Derby.
On May 3, Wave 3 reported the unfortunate news of the two horses on Facebook. It revealed that they died at Churchill Downs’s 502’s Day race event. Sadly, one of them was euthanized, which was strongly criticized by horse lovers on the internet.
How did the two baby horses die during the race?
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On Tuesday, during the 502’s Day event, a 3-year-old filly, Take Charge Briana fell while during Race 5. Along with her, she also knocked down her jockey, Luis Saez. Following the incident, Wave 3 confirmed that Seaz was alright, but his filly was euthanized. It further reported that the filly, owned by Willis Horton Racing, was trained by D. Wayne Lukas, a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee. On the other hand, Chasing Artie, a 5-year-old gelding, lost his life due to collapsing during Race 8. The Ramsey Stables-owned horse was trained by Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
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Horse race contenders walk toward the paddock during the pre-race parade. The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival and is widely considered the most prestigious horse race in the world. The race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. The race is known in the United States as The Run for the Roses for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is the first leg of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The attendance at the Kentucky Derby ranks first in North America and usually surpasses the attendance of all other stakes races including the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and the Breeders Cup., Louisville Kentucky USA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: StacyxPearsall 3894200004
A week before the two baby horses, the euthanization of another Derby horse, Wild On Ice was reported in Lexington. He was working out at Churchill Downs when he suffered a left hind leg injury. Hours after the incident, he had to suffer the same fate as Take Charge Briana.
When Wave 3 shared the death toll on Facebook, netizens expressed their anger and despair in the comment section.
Read More: One of the Most Bizarre Events in Equestrian Sports Saw Dead Man Winning a Race Once
Fans mourned the loss of the horses on social media
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Saddened by the fateful news, a Facebook user wrote, “I live not far from Churchhill Downs for most of my life I’ve never heard of so many horses being euthanized or being killed during these races.” Some netizens could not stand the practice of euthanization. They heavily criticized it saying, “I cannot watch horse racing. They had to come out on the track and euthanize it. Very disturbing to see.”
Imagining the plight of the baby horses, netizens expressed, “I feel sorry for the poor babies just ban racing altogether leave them babies alone let them be loved and cared for the way it should be.” Another similar comment read, “This is very concerning. It is no longer fun when they are hurting and dying. I am so sad to hear this😪”
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Many criticized horse riding as a sport because it was cruel to horses, “ I’ve officially boycotted the derby for good. So sad.” and “Wow not again This is so sad What is happening to them.”
Indeed, the demise of horses is a concerning aspect of the equestrian industry. Considering the plight of the horses, fans expect more safety measures for the innocent creatures.
