The English Derby in Epsom was supposed to be a great day for the sport. The English Derby has been run for over 200 years, but Saturday’s English Derby was anything but completely joyous. The race started good enough. The horses looked magnificent. However, as they came to about 600 yards from the wire something happened to Horatio Nelson. The horse stumbled and was pulled up by jockey Kieren Fallon.

Many fans were disappointed to see the second favorite in the race being pulled up. However, little did they know what was to follow was far worse than a simple pull up. As it turns out Horatio Nelson broke a front leg on the stumble. After looking it over, it was determined that the break in Horatio Nelson’s leg was life threatening. The three-year-old colt was then euthanized.

The sport of horse racing is dangerous, but there are growing concerns of the treatment and concern given to the horses. Many are beginning to think that money has taken the drivers seat - as was believed to be the case with Barbaro’s injury in the Preakness. Before the English Derby, Fallon had concerns about the horse. He thought Horatio Nelson felt a “bit stiff.” Despite the concerns, the horse was cleared to race. X-rays showed Horatio Nelson has suffered fractures of two bones and dislocation of the fetlock joint. When the injuries are too severe, the horse must be euthanized for humane reasons and that was the case here.

The English Derby was won by Sir Percy with Dragon Dancer coming in second and Dylan Thomas coming in third by a head. The favorite was Visindar at 2-1, but he never contested and was a non-factor in the race.