This race is proof of how great a win this was. I don't think the announcer even mentioned the name "Ferdinand" until nearly the end of the race. Where was he for the majority of the derby? He just came out of nowhere and surged ahead. Fantastic effort. What a horse.
I am sorry about Ferdinand as all horses slaughtered but in Ferdinand his owners did not follow his path in Japan and therefore he met a terrible end and the sad part is that it took his death to change laws. I believe be it dog, horse, elephant , any animal thru entertainment, or breeding that makes money for the ownders deserves a respectful end of life, they are owed that/ Patsy McCaw-Yager Englewood ,Fl.
I remember watching this race. I still have the image engraved in my memory of Ferdinand walking into the gate, his chestnut coat shining, as bright as a new penny. Bill Shoemaker was one of the best and I always paid attention to the horses he rode. I miss seeing both him and Charlie Whittingham.
(3) That could be ended by doing what PETA wants (I do not support them) and classify horses as companion animals rather than livestock, but the raising and management of horses is subsidized by the federal and states governments, so doing so would end the subsidizes and bring an end and to professional horse racing. If that is what the American public wants, it is fine with me, but stop deluding yourselves that you are not part of the problem.
(2) By ending horse slaughter and processing in the U.S. what we have accomplished is sending the business outside the U.S. were here is much less oversight (The top five leading horse meat producing countries in 2007 were China, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Argentina). It may make some of you feel good, morally superior, waving fingers at other countries, but the problem here is over production. That could be ended by doing what PETA wants and classify horses as companion animals
(1) While I wish Ferdinand end had been different, some of these hysterical posts are ridiculous. Ferdinand was never advertised as "Eat an American Champion". Horses consumed for humans in Japan are mostly raised for that purpose, Ferdinand was most likely used for animal feed. Over 1 billion people in the world ear horse, and that number is growing. Japan doesn't rank in the top 8 in terms of consumption, it may not even be in the top 10.
What happened to Ferdinand is a shame, but it's also a real shame with Joe the Plug is used up, and sold to slaughter too. Horses shouldn't have to die that way, and no owner with any decency would send a horse to the abattoir.
Now, people who can't afford their horses anymore just abandon them. Sometimes a dairy farmer will check his cows and think, "Where did those ten horses come from?" Or, they abondon them on land that is owned by coal companies in Kentucky.
The trainer or owner had nothing to do with it - he was retired to stud and didn't do anything sire wise right away. He was sent to Japan for breeding and apparently didn't make the grade there...and no one was watching to follow up on him. Horses are still sent to other countries for breeding
This was my first derby pick to win and I was 6 years old. Picked him because we had a cow named Ferdinand. So this horse always holds a spot with me. To think of this horse being sold and taken to a slaughter house makes me sick. How does something like that happen to a champion derby winner. I could whip someones ass over that.
Was that true about what happened to Ferdinand? I just really find that hard to believe - I can't see that happening to a winner who had value. I really can't. Thigs I said 'not known for sure, but it is believed to be...'
Swift898 Says:
5/07/2012 4:38:53 PM
Same hear after this horse won someone a lot of money what a shame
1Tyrano1 Says:
13/06/2012 5:26:22 AM
This race is proof of how great a win this was. I don't think the announcer even mentioned the name "Ferdinand" until nearly the end of the race. Where was he for the majority of the derby? He just came out of nowhere and surged ahead. Fantastic effort. What a horse.
LoriTopazz Says:
29/09/2011 9:00:26 AM
Like Exceller, I'm thinking of you, Ferdinand. You won't be forgotten.
Pat McCaw-Yager Says:
22/05/2011 10:24:01 AM
I am sorry about Ferdinand as all horses slaughtered but in Ferdinand his owners did not follow his path in Japan and therefore he met a terrible end and the sad part is that it took his death to change laws. I believe be it dog, horse, elephant , any animal thru entertainment, or breeding that makes money for the ownders deserves a respectful end of life, they are owed that/ Patsy McCaw-Yager Englewood ,Fl.
LookinatLife Says:
14/01/2011 8:58:26 AM
I remember watching this race. I still have the image engraved in my memory of Ferdinand walking into the gate, his chestnut coat shining, as bright as a new penny. Bill Shoemaker was one of the best and I always paid attention to the horses he rode. I miss seeing both him and Charlie Whittingham.
711ATOM Says:
11/01/2011 5:45:35 AM
(3) That could be ended by doing what PETA wants (I do not support them) and classify horses as companion animals rather than livestock, but the raising and management of horses is subsidized by the federal and states governments, so doing so would end the subsidizes and bring an end and to professional horse racing. If that is what the American public wants, it is fine with me, but stop deluding yourselves that you are not part of the problem.
711ATOM Says:
11/01/2011 5:37:22 AM
(2) By ending horse slaughter and processing in the U.S. what we have accomplished is sending the business outside the U.S. were here is much less oversight (The top five leading horse meat producing countries in 2007 were China, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Argentina). It may make some of you feel good, morally superior, waving fingers at other countries, but the problem here is over production. That could be ended by doing what PETA wants and classify horses as companion animals
711ATOM Says:
11/01/2011 5:27:12 AM
(1) While I wish Ferdinand end had been different, some of these hysterical posts are ridiculous. Ferdinand was never advertised as "Eat an American Champion". Horses consumed for humans in Japan are mostly raised for that purpose, Ferdinand was most likely used for animal feed. Over 1 billion people in the world ear horse, and that number is growing. Japan doesn't rank in the top 8 in terms of consumption, it may not even be in the top 10.
Stamolka1986 Says:
31/10/2010 6:05:18 AM
Ferdinand, Snow Chief, Broad Brush. From what I've heard during my 11 years of watching horse racing, they were all great racehorses and sires.
21Sarabi Says:
5/12/2009 5:41:27 AM
Does Peta know that they have buy back clauses now for the horses?? Probably not. They only look at the bad in things.
melc1949 Says:
24/07/2009 2:49:56 PM
What happened to Ferdinand is a shame, but it's also a real shame with Joe the Plug is used up, and sold to slaughter too. Horses shouldn't have to die that way, and no owner with any decency would send a horse to the abattoir.
Venckman Says:
12/07/2009 1:23:05 AM
Silver Charm also stands at stud in Japan and has had as little success there, I think, as he did here.
moorparkgirl Says:
12/06/2009 5:32:14 PM
Sunday Silence is buried at a breeding farm in Japan.Regardless of that,I'd like to see our horses back home in America.
gogomountain Says:
3/06/2009 6:14:45 AM
Now, people who can't afford their horses anymore just abandon them. Sometimes a dairy farmer will check his cows and think, "Where did those ten horses come from?" Or, they abondon them on land that is owned by coal companies in Kentucky.
FabulousBet Says:
23/04/2009 4:05:49 AM
we should learn the lesson: take care of (your) animals !
JanH1961 Says:
23/03/2009 12:38:52 PM
The trainer or owner had nothing to do with it - he was retired to stud and didn't do anything sire wise right away. He was sent to Japan for breeding and apparently didn't make the grade there...and no one was watching to follow up on him. Horses are still sent to other countries for breeding
jdman270 Says:
10/02/2009 10:15:04 AM
This was my first derby pick to win and I was 6 years old. Picked him because we had a cow named Ferdinand. So this horse always holds a spot with me. To think of this horse being sold and taken to a slaughter house makes me sick. How does something like that happen to a champion derby winner. I could whip someones ass over that.
namesdntexist Says:
30/06/2008 8:08:51 AM
Was that true about what happened to Ferdinand? I just really find that hard to believe - I can't see that happening to a winner who had value. I really can't. Thigs I said 'not known for sure, but it is believed to be...'
cf1970 Says:
24/02/2008 12:46:10 AM
You're very welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.
Have a good weekend!
fancysmamma Says:
23/02/2008 4:39:28 PM
thanks cf1970 i really enjoy researching these horses