Comments on: Fix the horse, not the tracks http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/05/05/fix-the-horse-not-the-tracks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fix-the-horse-not-the-tracks Jock Talk Blog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:55:30 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: patricia http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/05/05/fix-the-horse-not-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-2042 patricia Wed, 28 May 2008 01:08:00 +0000 http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/?p=932#comment-2042 Reality Check, you are absolutely right. And it's not a secret that the Native Dancer line is problematical. But there are problematical horses behind Native Dancer as well. The problem has been simmering for many generations. For details on how the problems carry forward, and finally surface, check out pedigree expert Ellen Park's page on Ruffian's pedigree, at her website "Reines-decourse." You'll find the Ruffian page at http://www.reines-de-course.com/ruffian.htm. -- Patricia Nell Warren Reality Check, you are absolutely right. And it’s not a secret that the Native Dancer line is problematical. But there are problematical horses behind Native Dancer as well. The problem has been simmering for many generations.

For details on how the problems carry forward, and finally surface, check out pedigree expert Ellen Park’s page on Ruffian’s pedigree, at her website “Reines-decourse.” You’ll find the Ruffian page at
http://www.reines-de-course.com/ruffian.htm. — Patricia Nell Warren

]]> By: Reality Check http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/05/05/fix-the-horse-not-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-2039 Reality Check Tue, 27 May 2008 16:58:33 +0000 http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/?p=932#comment-2039 Take a look at Ruffian's pedigree, then compare it to Eight Belles, Barbaro, and Chelokee, the horse that injured himself the day before Eight Belles tragic breakdown. For a real shocker, check this link: http://scrollsequus.blogspot.com/search/label/2008 It is a listing of horses that have had catastrophic breakdowns in 2008. The site also has records for other years. You will quickly see that the few horses who have broken down that have reached the public attention, are very much only a fraction of horses breaking down. And most of those horses who break down are also inbred/linebred on Native Dancer. Not all of them are 2 and 3 year olds either. Horses like Big Brown, who have raced only a few times because of soundness problems (and in his case, requiring high tech glue jobs on his feet and steroids) , and are retired young, as he is to be retired after Belmont, survive to pass on their unsoundness genes to the next generations. Take a look at Ruffian’s pedigree, then compare it to Eight Belles, Barbaro, and Chelokee, the horse that injured himself the day before Eight Belles tragic breakdown.

For a real shocker, check this link:
http://scrollsequus.blogspot.com/search/label/2008

It is a listing of horses that have had catastrophic breakdowns in 2008. The site also has records for other years.

You will quickly see that the few horses who have broken down that have reached the public attention, are very much only a fraction of horses breaking down.

And most of those horses who break down are also inbred/linebred on Native Dancer.

Not all of them are 2 and 3 year olds either.

Horses like Big Brown, who have raced only a few times because of soundness problems (and in his case, requiring high tech glue jobs on his feet and steroids) , and are retired young, as he is to be retired after Belmont, survive to pass on their unsoundness genes to the next generations.

]]> By: patricia http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/05/05/fix-the-horse-not-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-1898 patricia Wed, 07 May 2008 22:00:57 +0000 http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/?p=932#comment-1898 Typo, sorry. Will fix. Typo, sorry. Will fix.

]]> By: Ken Scott http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/05/05/fix-the-horse-not-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-1895 Ken Scott Wed, 07 May 2008 17:53:54 +0000 http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/?p=932#comment-1895 I agree with your point of view 100%, Patricia, and like the suggestions that you came up with for improving the breed. I just wanted to point out though, that Ruffian's tragic death was in 1975 in her match race against Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. 1973 was the year of Secretariat and I doubt her handlers would have wanted to attempt a match race with him. :) I agree with your point of view 100%, Patricia, and like the suggestions that you came up with for improving the breed. I just wanted to point out though, that Ruffian’s tragic death was in 1975 in her match race against Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. 1973 was the year of Secretariat and I doubt her handlers would have wanted to attempt a match race with him. :)

]]> By: Anna Curtis http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/05/05/fix-the-horse-not-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-1875 Anna Curtis Tue, 06 May 2008 03:57:15 +0000 http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/?p=932#comment-1875 I love horses and have been around them all my life. I have always loved horse racing, and while reading around the web, finding different opinions on this sad event of Eight Belles, I believe that you have some very good points. I disagree with the fact that these colts and fillies are raced so young, and i understand the problems that inbreeding makes. I believe hat out-breeding would help solve the poblem, and I join you in the hope that the US racing industry will learn from this event - and the previous ones - and make some major changes so that the sport can continue to run, but in a safer manner. -anna I love horses and have been around them all my life. I have always loved horse racing, and while reading around the web, finding different opinions on this sad event of Eight Belles, I believe that you have some very good points. I disagree with the fact that these colts and fillies are raced so young, and i understand the problems that inbreeding makes. I believe hat out-breeding would help solve the poblem, and I join you in the hope that the US racing industry will learn from this event – and the previous ones – and make some major changes so that the sport can continue to run, but in a safer manner.
-anna

]]> By: Robin Raley http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/05/05/fix-the-horse-not-the-tracks/comment-page-1/#comment-1872 Robin Raley Tue, 06 May 2008 03:05:16 +0000 http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/?p=932#comment-1872 While perusing stories about the death of Three Belles I came across your article and give it a "best in show". You're exactly right that this Thouroughbred inbreeding has to be stopped and the gene pool widened. It is the only wise-and kind thing that can now be done. I hope that someone else is paying attention to what you've said. You're right-bravo! Robin While perusing stories about the death of Three Belles I came across your article and give it a “best in show”. You’re exactly right that this Thouroughbred inbreeding has to be stopped and the gene pool widened. It is the only wise-and kind thing that can now be done. I hope that someone else is paying attention to what you’ve said. You’re right-bravo!
Robin

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