THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Posted on May 11, 2008 - Filed Under Nigel Barker Today, Studio NB, Travel Shoots
I had never been to the Kentucky Derby and when the Voice Tribune invited my family, me and my whole team to Kentucky for the Derby, I thought — what the heck! We went down on Wednesday, 3 days before the main race and the Tribune had organized a very full agenda for me – there’s no such thing as a free lunch!!
Upon arriving at the Louisville airport at 8 am we were immediately greeted by a lady offering Bourbon Balls. Bourbon Balls, for those of you not lucky enough to have sampled this Kentucky treat, are a chocolate ball made with varying quantities of bourbon…. it set a trend for our visit as we were given four boxes of Bourbon Balls during our trip and offered hundreds more and various functions.
One thing about Kentuckians that you learn very quickly is that they are extremely hospitable and although geographically not really the South, they definitely have the Southern charm down to a tee.
Now I love horses as I do all animals, but racing them was a subject I knew little about. I had been to Ascot in England to the races once as a child but as in Louisville the races seem to be as much about the pomp and ceremonies than anything else. As if the races are just an excuse to get dressed up with big hats ( which I love! ) and bet (which I hate to say I liked more than I hoped).
Our schedule included visits to the “Backside”, brunches, luncheons, Galas, steam boat races, parades, museum visits and non stop socializing! One of my favorite memories from the Derby was from Thursday morning.
We rose at 5 am and headed to the “Backside”. The “Backside” is in fact where all the horses are stabled at Churchill Downs. It is essentially at the back of the race course and hence the name……. Anyway at the “Backside” you get to watch the horses exercise, eat and get washed which is fun for anyone and my son, Jack loved it. Avid horse race enthusiasts are also there checking out the horses prior to the races to get a closer look and hopefully have a better idea of who they will be betting on.
There is also lots of press at the “Backside” and I did my fair share of TV and radio interviews.
We had a fun filled week in Kentucky and look forward to visiting the State again soon. Obviously the whole Derby day race was overshadowed by the tragic death of the female horse Eight Belles. Horse racing has a long history and is steeped in tradition especially in Louisville. The horses are treated with love and respect by the owners and jockeys alike but that doesn’t mean they make the right and humane decisions all the time. It was a great shame and very sad when Eight Belles, the only filly in the Derby, broke both her ankles. It was shocking to a lot of folk when she was then euthanized on the track. It was the first time in Derby history that a horse has been put down on the track at the race and by all accounts not a decision they make lightly. However you have to question the reasons why. Could she have been saved at a cost and what would that cost be? Did the jockey drive her too hard causing the broken ankles? Should horses that are only 3 years old be made to run that far? It is the furthest any of the horses have run at the time of the Derby.
Ultimately, I think we need to reflect seriously about how the race is conducted in future and steps taken to make sure these beautiful animals are not driven to an untimely death so we can place a bet………
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10 Responses to “THE KENTUCKY DERBY”
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I am so jealous…
in a good way…
^_^
awesome
thks for sharing
mark
We enjoyed having you to Kentucky! Thanks for coming and seeing our City so we could show you the most famous horse race in the country!
We are so happy you shared these wonderful pictures and your thoughts. You have a beautiful family!
Jeff & Lea Ann
I know I am almost a week late on this… and i don’t know if it is really true but happy mother’s day to Cristen… times 2!
Nigel, I have been involved in racing since 1970. I have watched thousands of races….as a trainer, owner and everything in between. Yes, it is horrible – horses do break down and to have it happen at the Derby was even worse in a way. There is more of a trend for horses bred from Native Dancer’s lines to break down as well – this filly had him in her pedigree three times……Eight Belles was in excellent shape, and she misstepped and broke one ankle then came down on the other one shattering it. She ran well, and was sound until that last step. Horses must have one good leg to stand on to maneuver and being in a sling would have been her only poor option, which causes terrible stress on the horse and no one, even Dr.Richardson would have tried to piece her together again. Too painful and not possible. Cost would never have been an issue – if there had been the slightest chance for her, they would have done it. Barbaro had one good leg and laminitis took him. Horses break down in pasture too frequently as well. They were apparently designed by a committee that didn’t give them enough bone below the knee…..that and the breeding for speed vs soundness as has been the trend over the last 30 years. As to the Derby being a mile and a quarter – it is the farthest they have raced, but they are all conditioned to go that distance (or they SHOULD be
)
Wonderful photos, I am glad I looked to see if you had a website.
Glad you could share the backside with your son too
and that your family could attend.
I have a run my own private Thoroughbred rescue and retirement center since I retired from the racetrack. Horses are the most amazing animals and I am blessed to be able to help them after they are done running, at least on my small scale.
Pam
Mission Equine Retirement Center
Janesville, CA
Mr. Barker,
It is our pleasure to hear that you had a wonderful visit to Kentucky during the Derby festivities. We certainly were honored and excited to have met you and your family and friends. Such a treat! We were also very flattered by the kindness all of you showed to us, and for that, we are most thankful.
Thank you for giving us some great memories that have contributed to making our grand adventure unforgettable.
And please say “Hi” to Jack for us–he was a real sweetheart!
Sincerely,
The 2008 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court:
Talea, Katie, Charis, December, and Christin
It is refreshing to hear a rational observation of the racing industry. I spent time around trainers at Saratoga a few years ago and saw nothing but love and mutual respect between horses, trainers, owners and jockeys, and these were small scale operations compared to the team behind Eight Belles. Losing a horse is like losing a friend – not someone you give up based on money or injury – but someone you make the best decisions for.
Of course, this isn’t always true for everyone involved in the sport, but hopefully after this year’s Derby and the push for changes in the sport, we’ll see responsible breeding hopefully leading toward soundness.
Wonderful pictures from Derby day!
I commend you for all the hard work you’ve done to further the animal advocacy movement, especially with seals. I have to admit I was a little surprised, therefore, to see that you attended the Kentucky Derby. I encourage you to read this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/sports/othersports/04rhoden.html?ex=1210651200&en=4d180bb0f91780ff&ei=5070&emc=eta1)
before you go again. I just can’t view horse racing as anything other than inhumane. I know a lot of jockeys and “owners” treat their horses well in terms of vet care, etc, but they’re not really respecting the interests of the horses they claim to love. What’s more, so many of these beautiful animals are sent to auction when they can no longer race and they end up on trains and trucks to Canada or Mexico where they are slaughtered for food (http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=5025242)! It breaks my heart.
Again, thank you for the work you’ve done to help animals. I just hope you read the articles I liked to and make up your own mind about horse racing. Thank you!
Her hat is stunning. What a gorgeous woman!