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SBD/Issue 160/Sports Media
Blog Hound: Will Horse Racing Undergo Radical Reform?
Published May 9, 2008
Bloggers discuss the prospects for significant reform in thoroughbred racing following the euthanizing of Eight Belles at last Saturday's Kentucky Derby.
| Pet Connection Blog Posted by: Gina Spadafori |
| "Horse-racing has had years -- decades, really -- to work on its downward spiral, and it hasn’t." |
| My Loueyville Posted by: M |
| "I really, truly, passionately wish they'd ban whips. But I do think, for the most part, horses are very well cared for." |
| The Right Side Of The Road Posted by: Mac VerStandig |
| "The horse racing world is not resistant to change; the welfare of our athletes will always be paramount." |
| Thaiphoon's Blog Posted by: Thai |
| "I’m not asking for the sport to be banned or anything crazy like that. I am merely asking that the breeders start looking at things a different way and trying to prevent as much as possible these senseless injuries." |
| Procrastination Is Life Posted by: Me Me Me |
| "I doubt things will change because this is just how the sport is. … Then again, I probably won't ever become a horse racing fan." |
BUILDING THE BUZZ: Sports Media Challenge's Buzz Manager analyzed the online conversation about the death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby. Bloggers who hope this will lead to a change in horse racing practices were tallied positive, while bloggers who were against any changes to the sport were counted as negative. Visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com for more info. See more info on the topic.
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The topic ranked 10 of 10 on The Buzz, indicating very high level of interest among sports bloggers.
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Most bloggers who would like to see horse racing implement more stringent rules focus on breeding practices, both in terms of horses being raced too young and being bred for speed rather than durability.
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Many casual fans concede that though they don’t agree with PETA’s call for excessive reforms, new rules must be instituted for the betterment of the horses.
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Many bloggers believe that horse racing has to change its practices if for no other reason than to keep public interest in the sport. These fans believe more tragedies like the death of Eight Belles will drive casual fans away.
