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… you watch a horse lose its life on a racetrack?
I will give my own answer when I’m back in England but would like to start this thread so I have something to read when I return.
(Sneak preview to my answer, I get really bummed out)
Not overly emotional but it is always sad when a horse is put to sleep as a result of performing for our entertainment.
Strangely I usually hang around if the incident is visible, not from some sick pervertion I hasten to add, but just in the hope that all may be well.
It’s hugely depressing though to see a stricken animal on the ground.
The sight of the green screens further adds to the lowering of the atmosphere as we wait in hope that the beast is only winded.
Then we usually see the lad or lass sprinting down the track to get to their charge, lead up reins in their hands. I would hate to feel what they are going through.
The professionalism of the vets though must be admired. Whatever action is necessary is usually carried out as soon as possible. The track is cleared and we all move on leaving owner and trainer to their own private thoughts.It is a horrible side to the sport we all enjoy, but it will never be possible to eradicate the risk completely.
Would mirror many of meerkat’s comment, but it when it has happens usually spoils the day for me and the rest of the meeting loses most of its importance. When the screens go up stay and watch in the hope that a horse will come out walking as it was just winded. Fortunately the this does happen sometimes.
It is saddening, worse is when you hear the few moronic race goers who cheer a fall that turns out to be
that
fall.
In truth, the increased risk of death in NH is one of the reasons I no longer following jumps racing closely anymore.
If I’m honest it’s just a momentary ‘aw’ then move on….
The exception being if it’s a top class horse…….then it’s more upsetting
I guess it’s the same as humans……you don’t really spare a thought for the thousands of unknown people who die every week throughout the UK but if it’s someone you know or someone in the public eye it’s more upsetting
Anyone remember the AW jumps? Now that did seem to produce more injuries and a higher percentage of fatalities in its short life. Not that I’m one for stats but do remember that it didn’t last very long.
It is saddening, worse is when you hear the few moronic race goers who cheer a fall that turns out to be
that
fall.
That sort of behaviour gets to me too tb, but not as much as it used to.
I was at the races when a horse fell, got up and tried to run off with its broken leg flapping around with only skin keeping the leg in one. Three "racegoers" beside me started laughing uncontrollably. I couldn’t contain my anger, turned and shouted "That horse has just lost its life for your sport"!… and walked away in disgust.
Later on in the day I saw the same bloke walking towards me, thought I was in for a kicking. Only for him to apologise profusely. It was their first time going racing and had not realised the seriousness of the situation. They were laughing only because his mate (who’d been the one who studied the form and backed it) hadn’t been anywhere near to winning a race all day. His girlfriend (who’d also been laughing) had apparently taken the news of its death very badly. They had no binoculars and not seen what I saw.
Not really "racegoers" at all, just naive members of the public on a jolly day out.
Value Is EverythingVery very sad
and if I have happened to tape a Meeting where a horse has lost it’s life in a race I never watch it.
I think this year is the first time I have watched the Grand National all the way through in many years and actually enjoyed it.Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...You do get to know the signs of when a prostrate racehorse is likely to get up. Hate to see that muscle spasm just after the horse has fallen. Yet the biggest racecourse cheer of the day is often when a horse gets to its feet after lieing there winded for 1/4 of an hour.
When I believe something could be done differently to stop fatalities, it does make me think. After the 1989 Grand National, deaths of Seeandem and Brown Trix, latter being dragged out of Beechers ditch to make way for the second circuit runners – I vowed never to bet in the Grand National again unless changes were made. They were, but in truth not until 2012 were any changes successful in making it safer (early days for that to be deemed "successful" – I know).
Fatalities don’t effect me too much nowadays, but must admit my eyes are always fixed on the screens until the outcome is known.
I was there when Persian Punch lost his life at Ascot. Every horse’s life should mean the same, but he was a favourite of mine. Such a genuine tryer it did bring a lump to my throat that day.
I know it’s a bit hypocritical, as the next day it’s usually back to normal; but whenever there’s a fatality it just doesn’t seem right to celebrate. Gloria Victis effected me more deeply in the 2000 Gold Cup. I’d backed the winner @ 33/1 ante-post and had trouble coming to terms with winning a large sum of money in a race with a fatality. Wanted to do something for the horses so sent a third of my winnings to Moorcroft Rehabilitation Centre. For a while afterwards sent money to racing charities whenever winning money in a race with a fatality.
Nowadays I give a bit of money to my local Greatwood Rehabilitation Centre once or twice a year. In truth it’s guilt money but at least it helps a racehorse find another job. Death and injury is a hazard we all have to come to terms with.
These are beautiful animals doing a job of work, with very very few exceptions wonderfully cared for in palatial pads; the equine racing driver. I’ve lived near the New Forest and seen the lives of so called "free" horses, been to racing stables and studs. If coming back as an animal rather it be a racehorse than any other. It really pisses me off when non-racing people seem to think punters, trainers, jockeys, owners and stable lads/lasses don’t care about horses. If racehorses were ill-treated their temperament suffers and won’t be any good to race.
Value Is EverythingVery sad but try not to dwell on it too long. I also feel more sad if its a higher profile horse such as Our Conor and Synchronised, but also those I have backed on numerous occasions such as Eric’s Charm the other season (although did not back him that day)
Also have a go at so called friends who don’t understand the sport by saying the sport’s cruel but then laugh if I or someone else has backed a horse whose suffered a fatal injury during the race 
The more friends you have the more joy you experience,the more loss you experience.Loss is painful whether it be a person,a horse or a dog.As we go on we make new friends to replace the lost ones.We get a new dog,we follow new horses.We grieve when those we lost were especially dear to us.The pleasure of friendship outweighs the pain of loss.I experience loss quite intensely but soon recover.Having to deal with the many issues of living helps one recover.(Please note I do not refer to the tragedies of a sudden death in a family or the intense bond of wife or children.)
I feel awful, just awful. Strangely not so much if it’s a heart attack, then I feel sad but not the awful guilt I feel when it’s an injury.
I’ve become less interested in NH racing lately because of this, I really don’t like the idea that I am somehow encouraging this to happen. I also don’t like the way deaths seem to be brushed aside, short few words of regret then on to the next race. I know this has to happen or everythiing would collapse but it doesn’t seem right.
If there’s been an obvious fatality in a race, there’s no way I can feel happy about the winner. And it feels wrong that the commentator has to still get excited over the finish, when I’m sure they’re cringing like the rest of us. I feel almost embarrassed on such occasions, for enjoying the sport. You feel like you want to say sorry to the wotld that because of people like you, horses sometimes die. It’s weirdly uncomfortable.
I don’t really blame commentators and presenters for not dwelling on deaths. I think most will try to update the viewer on the horse’s fate, but it would be not in the right spirit somehow to go on about it. I’m sure they hate to see it as much as we do. Apart from Luke Harvey and Matt Chapman…….they both tend to enthuse about what a "dramatic" race it was.
If there’s been an obvious fatality in a race, there’s no way I can feel happy about the winner. And it feels wrong that the commentator has to still get excited over the finish, when I’m sure they’re cringing like the rest of us.
I will never forget the day Ei Ei died at Market Rasen. Iain Mackenzie was doing the call and the whole crowd and Iain were on a high after watching the bold front running Ei Ei spreadeagle a pretty moderate field, when disaster struck at the last. The place turned silent and you could hear the emotion in Iain’s voice as he called home the winner almost in hushed tones.
An absolutely dreadful day. I loved that bold jumping wee horse.
I used to enjoy the excitement of NH racing at first but the emotional bond you build up over the seasons with several horses can be all over in an instant. The misery gradually takes its toll and death is an ever present hazard for any horse. Now I have zero interest in NH racing.
If there’s been an obvious fatality in a race, there’s no way I can feel happy about the winner. And it feels wrong that the commentator has to still get excited over the finish, when I’m sure they’re cringing like the rest of us.
I will never forget the day Ei Ei died at Market Rasen. Iain Mackenzie was doing the call and the whole crowd and Iain were on a high after watching the bold front running Ei Ei spreadeagle a pretty moderate field, when disaster struck at the last. The place turned silent and you could hear the emotion in Iain’s voice as he called home the winner almost in hushed tones.
An absolutely dreadful day. I loved that bold jumping wee horse.
I remember that one more than any other I think. Along with everyone else, I was cheering the lovely little horse home to glory when he fell at the last, so obviously fatally. It was just a horror moment for everyone. From glory to disaster in a split second.
A lot of emotion coming out in this thread. We do not know these horses personally like the owner, trainer, jockey, stable lad etc. If a celebrity or well known person dies, take Diana, I think people go well over the top with their blubbing and grieving. They didn’t know Di personally, so why get so upset about it? Should it be the same with a horse? Ok feel sad, but soon get over it?
Or possibly it’s because we sometimes see the incident which results in the horses fate and therefore sticks in our memory longer? Or is it guilt, that these horses are bred for our pleasure and then through no fault of their own, can lose their life?
I do seem to be more sad over a horse than a human being (obviously excepting family and friends), probably due to the visual effect and guilt.
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