Trainer: J. Larry Jones
Jockey: Gabriel Saez
Owner: Fox Hill Farms
Breeder: Robert N. Clay & Serengeti Stable
Although much of the coverage of Eight Belles' Derby has focused on her tragic breakdown after the race, what should not be forgotten was her outstanding performance in the race. By finishing 2nd, she became just the 10th fily to finish in the money in the Derby and she is tied for the 4th best female performer in the race. She certainly came into the race the right way, riding a four-race winning streak. Her winning margins had decreased as the competition has gotten tougher, but she was well in hand in both the Honeybee (gr. III) and the Fantasy (gr. II). Her speed figures have been comparable to the colts, which went a long way in prompting her connections to try the Derby instead of the Oaks.
| Year | Sale | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Keeneland September Yearling Sale | $375,000 |
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/08 | Kentucky Derby (gr. I) | 10 f | 2 | $400,000 |
| 04/06/08 | Fantasy (gr. II) | 8.5 f | 1 | $150,000 |
| 03/16/08 | Honeybee (gr. III) | 8.5 f | 1 | $60,000 |
| 02/17/08 | Martha Washington | 8 f | 1 | $30,000 |
| 01/21/08 | Allowance @ Fair Grounds | 8 f 40 yds | 1 | $24,000 |
| 12/23/07 | Allowance @ Fair Grounds | 8.5 f | 2 | $8,000 |
| 11/30/07 | Allowance @ Fair Grounds | 8 f | 7 | $250 |
| 10/30/07 | Maiden @ Delaware | 8 f 70 yds | 1 | $24,000 |
| 10/15/07 | Maiden @ Delaware | 8.5 f | 3 | $4,400 |
| 09/16/07 | Maiden @ Delaware | 5.5 f | 2 | $8,000 |
| Record: 9 Starts, 5-2-1 | Total Earnings: $308,650 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
Jockeys honored the memory of Eight Belles by wearing stickers on their boots or mud pants May 16 and 17 at Pimlico, which was hosting the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and a variety of other graded races.
Eight Belles, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), tested negative for banned substances and steroids, according to test results from the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority's official laboratory at Iowa State University.
A necropsy of Eight Belles, ordered by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, found no pre-existing bone abnormalities that contributed to compound fractures she suffered in both front legs after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on May 3.
Thoroughbred Charities of America, ("TCA"), has announced the formation of the Eight Belles Memorial Fund. Donations made in Eight Belles honor will go specifically toward retraining of Thoroughbreds for secondary careers and research into catastrophic breakdowns.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association continues to coordinate equine health and safety initiatives in response to the death of the filly Eight Belles, and on May 9 called for "urgency" and an end to the "status quo."
From even the greatest tragedy can come good. Eight Belles' death no doubt will be a catalyst for Thoroughbred racing to provide better safety for the horses. For Laura Hillenbrand, author of the classic book, "Seabiscuit," the filly's death would have a profound effect not only on her, but a 9-year-old gelding named Rudster.
Six days after Eight Belles' breakdown in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms approved a wristband manufactured in memory of the gallant filly, with proceeds to benefit Midlantic Horse Rescue.
Thoroughbred racing treads a fine line between its loftiest peak and its deepest abyss. Once again, celebration and sorrow clashed in the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority released a statement May 5 regarding Eight Belles, who was injured and subsequently euthanized after the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). It followed demands by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals for changes in the horseracing industry.
A tearful Larry Jones, the trainer of Eight Belles, who broke down in the gallop-out after finishing second in the Run for the Roses, said there would be no second-guessing in what he called an "unfortunate" outcome that couldn't be foreseen.
United Parcel Service has never made a delivery like Big Brown delivered May 3 at Churchill Downs, romping home by nearly five lengths to remain unbeaten in four starts with a scintillating win in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Trainer Larry Jones and his wife and assistant, Cindy, may have found a lucky charm for one of racing's biggest weeks. It's a nine-month-old African grey parrot named Buddy.
Fox Hill Farms' Eight Belles and Brereton Jones' Proud Spell, two fillies who have either the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) or the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in their immediate futures, each worked a half-mile April 20 in their final moves at Keeneland before they are shipped to Churchill Downs April 25.
Trainer Larry Jones said it is still up in the air whether his filly Eight Belles will challenge the boys in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) or if she will battle the fillies the day before in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
Owner Rick Porter has always known Eight Belles is a solid contender -- but he's thinking about putting the 3-year-old filly's class and stamina to the ultimate test May 3. Porter said April 13, if all goes well, the daughter of Unbridled's Song will be entered in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Winchell Thoroughbreds graded stakes winner Zanjero worked five furlongs at Keeneland in 1:00.60 for trainer Steve Asmussen, Monday, April 7
Eight Belles continued her quest to become the best 3-year-old filly in the nation, as the daughter of Unbridled's Song overcame a poor start to win by three-quarters of a length in the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) April 6 at Oaklawn Park, her third consecutive stakes triumph.
Though Larry Jones was tempted to run his ultra-talented 3-year-old filly Eight Belles against the boys in the $1-million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) April 12, the trainer has decided to take the safer route, and instead will line up the daughter of Unbridled's Song in the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) April 6 at Oaklawn Park.
The fillies Eight Belles and Proud Spell are among the late nominees for this year's Triple Crown
In the $100,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) March 16 at Oaklawn Park, the streaking 3-year-old filly proved she could handle graded stakes competition, as she scored by 1 1/4 lengths after coasting to the wire with ease under a confident Ramon Dominguez. She defeated five rivals.
| Eight Belles | Unbridled's Song | Unbridled |
| Trolley Song | ||
| Away | Dixieland Band | |
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