Owner Haunted by Derby Filly's 'Horrible' Death

Wishes 'talented, mild-mannered' horse was back in the barn
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 6, 2008 3:49 AM CDT
Owner Haunted by Derby Filly's 'Horrible' Death
Rick Porter, seen here in a 2007 file photo, was left with a "horrible feeling" after the death of his filly Eight Belles.   (AP Photo/Pat Crowe II)

Eight Belles' owner is still shocked and saddened by the death of his filly, put down at the end of the Kentucky Derby—but believes she belonged in the race, reports the Palm Beach Post. Rick Porter switched from celebrating his horse's thrilling second-place finish to mourning her death within minutes. "It's the bottom of the barrel," he said yesterday. "It's just a horrible feeling."

Porter doesn't think having a racing commissioner would have prevented the "freak accident" that broke the filly's front ankles when they slammed into one another, but thinks that having one could "get everybody on the same page" concerning thoroughbred safety. He'll remember Eight Belles as "a beautiful, mild-tempered, talented filly that gave her life giving it all to be second in the Kentucky Derby." (More Eight Belles stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X