Eight Belles Coverage: Did NBC Blow It?

Eight Belles's death shortly after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday raised anew a major question about how to cover parallel stories of elation and heartbreak: which one takes precedence when an athlete, human or equine, is seriously injured?

NBC correctly covered Barbaro's breakdown at the 2006 Preakness Stakes and made Bernardini's victory the minor story. But that was a very different situation than Saturday's. Barbaro had won the Derby; he broke down during the Preakness, and he was able to stand after his injury, flexing his right hind leg over and over, then walked into the equine ambulance.

Eight Belles was not a celebrated horse before the race, she fractured her front ankles going into the first turn after the finish line, her injury did not affect the race, she was not followed by NBC with an isolated camera, and she was shielded from cameras with relative speed by two ambulances.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[BillLumbergh]

This will sound cruel, but in the grand scheme of things, does this topic really matter?
Thousands of people will die of starvation, malnutrition and disease today.
And don't give me the " I can care about animals too" bullshit response. I'm looking at this site, and I see alot of bullshit fluff news that plenty of people read and comment upon, while real news gets far less discussion.
Is it really just entertainment for so many of you?
Rome is burning, and 'American Idol' and fluff news dominates. Sickening.

[LeonBNJ]

Simple answer - No. They did give it appropiate attention when it was clear that Eight Bells had gone down and not getting up. Their primary coverage was to be about the winning horse, show the award ceremony. Unlike the usual situation, they did cut away from commentary on the winner, they did have a vet comment quickly, the horse was covered by the equine ambuliances, blocking video views and did state that the horse was euthinized probably after the owner had been notified first.
Let us hope this death of Eight Bells leads to changes in horse racing and the horses in it to reduce such risks in the future.

[Aelinie]

On the matter of NBC's bizarre coverage -- there's a good column in the NYT this morning about the inappropriate blathering on of both the governor of Kentucky and the president of Yum brands in the winner's circle when the second place winner had just been put down. Allegedly, they had no idea that a horse had died, which is preposterous. Cell phones, anyone? If the mucky-mucks didn't have them, you know their minions did. More likely, it was just easier to ignore the tragedy, which reveals the true sliver of ice in their hearts. This was going to be a great day for Kentucky and a payday for Yum brands, regardless of reality. I also find it interesting that since Eight Belles died, the media is back to referring to the race as the plain old Kentucky Derby. Suddenly, Yum brands isn't so hot to have it's name associated with the true nature of horse racing.

[Mike169]

There hadn't been a horse that died in the Derby since 1974. There are no horses more pampered and well treated than thoroughbred race horses. It's sad to see a horse go down this way but cruelty to animals - I don't think so. Horses are great animals who love to run. I don't think stopping horse racing is the answer.

[QueenCeleste]

Horse racing is not a sport. It is a cruel practice (that makes loads of money for a few) and it should be banned. It is not worth the lives, pain, and suffering of these magnificent creatures. Yes, horses like to run. But, like humans, they do not like to be injured or die for the sake of "sport." Especially because it is not their choice. I understand I may hold a minority view, but please, think twice before you go to the track and thus condone this horrible activity.

It is just like the circus, bullfighting, dog racing, et cetera. By taking part one ensures that the cruelty continues. Let's boycott such spectacles so the lives of precious creatures can be spared.

[debwarot]

Very well said, QueenCeleste, I totally agree with your comments.

[fishsandwichesr2good]

I'm just waiting for BO or HRC to use this situation to push for Universal Horse Care...

[truthbrigade]

You're likely to be eating her meat if you can get your hands on it. That's why they call you Repugs.

[fishsandwichesr2good]

I really hope you were referring to the horse and not Hillary when you said "eating her". Hey, don't knock horse meat. It tastes almost as good as spotted owl or bald eagle...

[FightForJustice]

IAs sorrowful as it was to watch the end of the race and the death of Eight Belles, I firmly believe that the producers for NBC did the best job they could under horrorific circumstances. If this had been taped and they could go back and think and edit their programming, then maybe things could have been altered tpwards more perfect coverage.. But these producers and directors were making split second decisions with no recourse after the choice was made. I think they did an admirable job. Certain moments might have been different with 20/20 hindisght...but I think they erred on the side of caution.

What were they supposed to do? Stay with the death and risk sensationaliziong it,, go with the winner, or what????? What was their other option. They treated the death of Eight Belles with somberness and respect. I felt when watching it, and I feel now, that these were people with hearts and conscience making the best decisions they could under the circumstances.

[mildewproduction]

Anyone else find it ironic that Hillary Clinton bet on this horse, which was the only female in the race, ran as hard as it could, but in the end only finished 2nd and had to be put down?

[panamanianpirate]

I wonder how the people collecting the PLACE {2nd} felt ? Or those collecting on the exacta ?
Did they collect their money and chalk it up as an "honerable death?"

[awcbuddy8]

It's a horse.

[FreeThinkn1]

"What else is it that should trace the insuperable line? Is it the faculty of reason or perhaps the faculty of discourse? But a full-grown horse or dog is beyond comparison a more rational, as well as more conversable animal, than an infant of a day or a week or even a month old. But suppose they were otherwise, what would it avail? The question is not, Can they reason?, nor Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?"

Jeremy Bentham, philosopher (February 15, 1748"June 6, 1832)

[awcbuddy8]

Is anybody denying if an animal can feel pain? Why do you think they euthanized it?

[bearwithbrio]

and you are worthless.

[awcbuddy8]

Were you going fix the horse?

[CommonSenseMan]

I hope they had the good sense to get this horse to a butcher for some delicious lean steaks.

[debwarot]

There is absolutely nothing I could possibly say to point out the utter stupidity of your remark - you have done it yourself.

[UnbiasView]

Did they blow the coverage? No, no one wants to see a horse get put down.

[pc51]

That's so American, joyfully celebrating victory ,just steps away from the carnage it took to achieve it.

[awcbuddy8]

You people bitch about our media focusing on violence 24/7 now you are bitching when they don't.

[spaceman3838]

typical huffpo hate averican crowd back in action

[debwarot]

Naw - typical reaction of a compassionate human to the greed of this so-called sport.

[eshever]

NBC did the best they could in difficult circumstances. It was clearly an easier decision to keep cameras on Barbaro because he wasn't in imminent danger of being euthanized on the track. If you saw what happened to Go For Wand on TV in 1990, or watched Ruffian die on the track, there is nothing appealing about watching a horse die. NBC kept viewers updated, kept the information coming from the vet, and I thought they tried to be sensitive to viewers.

[kel]

When a football player or hockey player goes down then spend some time on the injury.
I am glad they didn't show this beautiful animal - down like that but I do hope they kept you in the 'loop' about her - what a sad ending.

I am sure if they covered it it would have been all over the news about how awful it was.
You can't win for trying.

[RichardD]

The main stream, and cable, media don't get much right anymore, so there is no suprise.
Only $$$$ counts. Whatever brings in more $$$$ skews any coverage.
That is why America never gets the real message these days.

[mojopo]

This article makes me feel sick. First the author says Eight Belles was not a celebrated horse. I don't think the author knows much about her, or why her run was important. No, she was not Barbaro. She was a different kind of horse. But she was loved, and she had an amazing heart.

Then the author goes on a morbid tangent, wondering if it would have been more appropriate to show her writhing in pain. For what end? It's horrifying and it doesn't help the situation to show the world the worst moment in her whole life. Showing more would have been obscene.

No, it's not that I think our eyes must be shielded from the dangers of racing. The point is Eight Belles didn't deserve to die that way, and thank God no one is showing the video. She should be remembered as a beautiful animal and a brilliant athlete, and not as a curiosity for ghouls.

[williamina]

She should be remembered as a beautiful animal, a brilliant athlete and a tasty meal, and not as a curiosity for ghouls.

There I fixed it for ya.

[mojopo]

You really didn't need to do that. Really.

[helonias]

If there is enough money and excitement and speed involved.....

....it doesn't really matter what happens to the horses, including their life after the track.

[Raymondf]

No I don't think NBC needed to show the tragedy.

[kel]

I know this is a cruel question but they did put her down in a peaceful way ?
I was at a hunt show recently and a horse did the same thing and they shot it (My kids were a little freaked)

It's sad - and I missed the Derby for the first time in years due to a family event.
I was very distraught to read such a tragic ending -

[mayrose]

They use an overdose of anesthetic-very fast and painless.

[helonias]

You notice they don't cover dressage or barrel racing like tb racing because there is no possibility of death and no big bets involved

[debwarot]

Good point!

[marymansour]

The problem is not the media coverage. MSM guys will salivate over this type of story until the cows come. The main story here is animal cruelty. T

[pdsimdars]

If injuries like this are part of it, as I have read in comments, then they should be covered. I don't think the public should be shielded from news, from stories, from life, by 'the media'. If it's just a part of life, then, we're all living life, why cover it up? There are a lot of things I'd like to know. Firstly, how does this happen? How does a horse who is used to running, break both ankles running? Was it training, was it the jockey, what was it? A horse with a spirit like that shouldn't be shuffled out the back door. Let's hear the story, for it IS a story. We can "handle the truth".
But this story makes me sick inside. I want to know the answers, the why and how, etc. That will bring relief.

[Rosanneofpgh]

You make some valid points, pd. I just dont think that the public needs to see that poor animal thrashing around in pain.

NBC did the right thing for a change.

[debwarot]

However, if faced with the horror that the big money in this so-called sport causes, perhaps the public will question some of racing's deplorable practices.

[TRYKER]

Yes, NBC did the right thing. It was a difficult situation and we all were concerned, but the coverage was tasteful and conveyed the feeling that we all knew...there was nothing to be done any differently.
What a brave horse she was. A filly would have won the Derby but for Big Brown. She broke her legs as she was starting to slow up after the finish line. It was a shame and I'm glad they didn't have footage of it actually.

[ctbutte]

If you wanted to see the horse put down then you are sick. These are beautiful animals and tremendous athletes. Its always a tragedy when one breaks down. What would be the point of seeing it over and over?

[helonias]

Its is not a tragedy when one breaks down.

It is expected animal cruelty.

Nothing less.