The last time I watched the derby was when Eight Bells ran, won, died - I have never watched a race since.
I hate seeing horses running flat out, I had 2 horses die from running injuries, and then after Bells I really went over the edge. If my horses start running I bring them inside. Now they are old and don’t generally run much. But ya I don’t watch racing.
There was a time I would go to the races the first Wednesday of every month to see my friend’s horse run, standardbred racing - I have seen many bikes (racing carts) clip wheels and cause huge crashes - but never once had any horses killed (or people).
Standardbred racing (and thoroughbred racing too) is huge here and my Vet is on the Ontario Racing Commission. This is horse country where I live and there are HUGE farms here - in fact there is a huge Vet clinic not far from here that would likely rival Rood and Riddle. It’s miles of 4 board horse fences paddocks, tracks, barns, clinic, you name it, and and easy drive to Woodbine track (think Queens Plate).
But after my horses, and Bells, I lost my nerve for it. I wouldn’t even go out to the tree plantation across the road and do my flat out gallops down the sandy lanes. I couldn’t risk my horse injury. I never once worried about me you know, although I would be more at risk of injury than the horse. But when you lose your nerve it’s hard to get over it.
And now I am too old and don’t have the same desire for fast horses and big jumps. Now I like dawdling along and watching the butterflies and smelling the pine sap on a hot summer day in the county forest at a very steady walk