A Black Cloud Descends Over Racing Today

Darlan - suffered a heavy fall

A black cloud descended over racing today, in what should of been an exciting day of racing took a cruel twist, when Darlan took a heavy fall, then followed by another death of  Mujamead an hour later and at Wolverhampton Desert Vision broke down too. All 3 horses were good in their own right, although Darlan was a champion in the making, the loss of any of them is a bitter pill to swallow.

Darlan, who was 2nd favourite for the Champion Hurdle, had been traveling very well in the slip-stream of Rock On Ruby and Countrywide Flame, after 2 out AP made his move, but disaster struck at the last. And then, there was shocked silence. Everyone who witnessed the fall knew it for what it was, a horrific fatal fall. And not even the hardend man didn't shed a tear. 

I could not tell you without looking, how well Rock On Ruby won, or by how far, the only reason i knew is because, in the background i vaguely remember the result being announced. The shock of what i had witnessed, and the overwhelming sadness i felt took over. 

In my years of watching racing, i can truely say i cannot remember a bad a fall since the 1997 Grand National when Smith's band took a heavy fall. The horse (Lord Gyllene) i had backed won the race and i didn't even notice.

Racing is without doubt a risky sport, to both jockey and horse, and as a horse lover i should be shocked and appalled, but i know about racing, i know about how these horses are looked after, and loved. And as AP showed, jockeys care too. So traumatised and upset by the loss, he stood down for the rest of the day and tomorrow too.

But what we have to remember through such tragedies, is that the horses love what the do, if they didnt, they wouldn't run. My argument every Grand National day is that, plus the fact that, horses die all over the world every day, some from just being in a paddock, some out on a hack, and some from being abused by the people that should be caring for them. I have worked for a horse Sanctury in the past, and i have seen the neglect and abuse of the equine residence, and that is more tragic.

There will always be horse racing, and it will always be heavily regulated and improved, to make sure it's as safe as possible for all the horses, taking part. These horses are athletes in their prime. And are well looked after. And most of all they are cared for and even loved.

RIP Darlan, Desert Vision and Mujamead - a very sad loss