What a dangerous sport!
By Trace86
@Trace86 (5030)
United States
May 25, 2009 12:41am CST
I saw this accident on tv and just gasped in horror. It was awful to see the horse fall on top of the jockey. I kept searching for news of the jockey. This is what I found. How terribly sad for all involved.
It is a long article, so I just copied part of it.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/50929/jockey-douglas-remains-in-critical-condition
Jockey Rene Douglas came out of a seven-hour surgery at Northwestern Hospital May 24 without feeling in his lower extremities, and doctors there said the 42-year-old rider may not walk again, agent Dennis Cooper reported.
Douglas, who entered surgery around 2:30 a.m. (CST) and came out around 9:30 a.m., was injured in a racing accident at Arlington Park in the May 23 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III).
“They said he might not walk again, it didn’t look like,” Cooper said. “He’ll probably have use of his upper body, but they gave it to me straight that he’s not likely to walk. They won’t be a million percent sure until after the swelling goes down in about 10 to 14 days, but it doesn’t look good.”
3 people like this
3 responses
@yangguang1986 (4)
• China
25 May 09
I sorry to hear that,it is a terrible news .In my opion ,the jockey is a fierce game .We can share some happy from this game ,but at first we should ensure ourselves safety.
2 people like this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
25 May 09
I agree with you. Horse racing is an extremely dangerous sport. Jockeys, however, make the decision to do what they do, and own the perks and dangers that go along with their decision. Just like the athletes in any sport. It's the horses that I feel bad for. They are treated like throw-away commodities. They are forced to go beyond their limits in an environment that is frequently dangerous. We have a local track that is part casino and part race track. One day after pouring all day (the track itself is clay), track officials determined that it was 'safe' to race. The horses had to race on a track that looked like 6 inches of vasaline. As horses went down, they were euthanized and another horse brought out. It was the most callous and inhumane treatment of a majestic animal that I ever want to see.
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
25 May 09
That is one sport I wish could be done away with. As far as I'm concerned, with the frequent injuries and deaths of those beautiful animals, who are not given a choice, the people supporting it have the same mentality of people who used to watch public hangings. If there were viewing seats at slaughter houses, they probably would be full.
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
21 May 16
Yes, horse racing is a dangerous sport. The jockeys put their safety on the line in every race. I am always amazed that they can stay on that horse without actually sitting in the saddle. Quite a balancing act.
