Equestrian sports can be highly thrilling and reckless at the same time. Almost a decade ago, two racehorses collided head-on with each other whilst a Derby training. The accident occurred in Kentucky, on April 27th, 2009. The gruesome consequences that followed led to euthanizing of a pure-bred horse, namely, Raspberry Kiss. 

The article by Wave 3 revealed that it took place early in the morning at Churchill Downs, Kentucky. Raspberry Kiss was struck by another fleeting horse, that toppled over its rider. Though no other horses were injured, the community mourned the loss of the iconic horse.

Horrific collision of horses during Derby works

The mishap occurred at 8:30 a.m. while several Derby horses were getting ready for eventual sessions. Nine racers were lined up for practice that day. Suddenly, a 3-year-old colt, Dr. Rap went wild and shoved his jockey, Tony Farina aside and raced down the track. As the alarming sirens wailed, the horse banged into Raspberry Kiss, a filly, and both dropped to the ground entangled into each other. “That horse didn’t give anybody – that horse was rolling, I mean full bore. It must have been going 40 miles per hour when he hit that horse,” a Derby trainer remarked. 

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Both the horses were rushed to separate hospitals. Unfortunately, Raspberry had to die by mercy due to its intense wounds and scarce chances of living, while the other suffered from severe bone bruises. Although, the professionals were relieved that no other animal or individual was affected in the incident. Trainer, Todd Pletcher said, “Was a terrible situation, and obviously a very dangerous situation one for everybody out there.” 

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“We didn’t want to present the morbid and tragic side of it…Racing is a dangerous sport. It points it out,” an onlooker, Tim McDonald disclosed. He had brought his grandkids, who witnessed the incident as well. Likewise, an equestrian once had to lose her best horse after it got shocked by hot-air balloons in the area. 

A hot air balloon flying injures a 17-year-old gelding

Talking to Horse & Hound, Andrea Cox, an avid equestrian disclosed that she lost her beloved buddy, Taffechan Dafydd after he got scared by the sight of a low-flying hot air balloon, in 2021. Apparently, the hot air balloon was a part of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Despite all her efforts and the best of treatment, the 17-year-old gelding couldn’t be saved. 

“But then he wasn’t quite right. The vet said we’d done more than we could do and he should have been more recovered but he wasn’t,” she detailed. A grand amount was spent in his recovery, but in vain. He had to be euthanized later on, which left Cox shaken. 

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Negligence and lack of awareness often result in precious life losses as this. Authorities and owners must always be on their toes to prevent such scenarios in the future because every life is important.