I cannot believe that aiden o'brian ran george that night !if it was conditions like that here in uk the meeting would have been off i dont blame mick kinane it was the greed off the owners and trainers! lets face it racing in the usa is totally different to ours the horses in usa are not as well breed and the tracks are the eqivalent of our dog tracks and that night im sure many dog owners/ trainers would not have run a dog on that never mind a horse! my other point is how many americans bring their horses over here to run our courses THEY DONT

marion, yorkshire, uk

Part of the point is that he was not an adult horse. He was a four year old. Far from adult. And yes. I do blame the trainer and owners. They had a choice. They exercised this unwisly. I'm also blaming the track. The conditions were appaling. Other horses did not perform well, either turf or the dirt. It was fortunate that no other horses were injured, or worse.

I hope that if there is going to be change it will be two fold: stop racing horses too young; don't use tracks that don't meet a standard. Horses are being unnecessarily killed for the reasons I mentioned earlier and echoed elsewhere.

BTW: the same stable producing George has had to 'retire' yet a different horse through injury. Let's hope he fares better.

Fiona P, London, England

Don't blame Monmouth Park, which is in New Jersey not Kentucky. Don't blame the track conditions, all the other horses raced just fine on it. Blame the owners, who took him out of retirement and raced him even though they knew he was not fit to race in the most difficult race in the United States. He was not a three year old, he was an adult horse and should have been at home chewing on hay. Blame the owners greed and the stupid trainer.

Cris McHenka, Rio, WV USA

I totally agree with all of the sentiment expressed here. I cannot understand the decision to race any of the horses let alone horses totally unused to the conditions. I have never felt so angry and, at the same time, broken hearted to think of all of the horses doomed to desruction on the back of what? Poor decisions, poor management, intolerable conditions, vanity and, greed. The jockey on George Washington that fatal night slammed the conditions, as did other trainers. Then why run? Why not boycott the event? I will continue to be sorry for a long time to come not just for GW but for them all.

Fiona P, London, England

I am a horse breeder/trainer in the U.S. and have always been against the pressure of racing two year olds. I was an exercise rider for a few years so I know of which I speak.
The odds of a colt/filly breaking down when started so early are fairly high.
Although trainers take all precautions necessary to ensure their horses are "protected", the stress on these young horses is often too much that they can physically (as well as mentally) bear.
Let's look at the racing industry to make the age changes that would make major races at three and four years of age. I can only imagine the results; much less euthanasia of our beautiful animals.
Thank you
Barbara Hitchko
Horizon Farms

Barbara Hitchko, Eureka, California USA

I am soo saddened by the loss of George Washington. I LOVE horseracing but I wonder sometimes how much more I can take of the breakdowns. I'm so angry at the industry. George Washington earned and deserved more than this kind of ending. I don't understand how they could have run him under those conditions - a dangerously sloppy track, dirt track and at longer distance than what he's used to. It made no sense and shame on the decision makers. I'm sorry for all who loved and cared for him but why this? Even under the best circumstances it's taking a big chance. God bless you George Washington and thank you for all you gave us.

D. Ryan, Brightwaters, NY

I am so saddened by the untimely death of this beautiful and brave horse. We often race these noble creatures in deplorable conditions and therefore a tragic outcome. More research into safety for the the track and equine care is needed both in the US and abroad. So unecessary a loss. I cry for George Washington and those who loved him. I am sorry for the breeders Gretchen and Roy Jackson who also lost BarbaroR

Jan White-Hopkins, Stafford, Texas/USA

Poor gorgeous George [the only gorgeous George] I was very sad and still am very sad for his passing.. I would have scratched him quickly.. he was not happy on the track.. and should have been turfing it.. WE love this beautiful and quirky George and will think of him often, always with a bit of regret.. of what could have been.

Jeanne, Albuquerque, USA

GW should not have been racing on dirt. Period. He was a turf horse. God bless Classy George. He will be very much missed by people on both sides of the pond.

Kathryn, La Verne, CA

The Breeder's Cup was in the State of New Jersey at Monmouth Racetrack this year.
The often fatal injuries are largely a result of training and the racing industry. A two or three year old horse is an adolescent. Like the Olympic sprints and gymnastics the adolescent can be muscled up and outperform a heavier and bulkier adult, however they are at greater risk of injury. Unlike our human children a thoroughbred can be pushed to excess for profit without any moral outcry. Don’t blame the racetrack, look to the owners and trainers who push the young horses to the breaking point.

USA draft-cross owner

Bill Kaminski, Howell, USA / NJ

They keep blaming the track, but nobody realizes the owners and trainers had every right to scratch GW if they didn't like the track surface. The blame lies with them unfortunately.

Stephanie, Here, US

I hate to say it but I agree with Stephanie. Trainers scratch all the time under adverse conditions. It was sporting to race George Washington in America, on the dirt, and I hate to sound like a second-guesser, but it was an unfortunate decision. Doubtless Mr O'Brien knows this full well and is beating himself up over this. Unfortunately, he should be.

Bill, Slash Pine, USA

I just learned that he had NEVER raced on a wet track before and why in the world would you bring him "out of retirement" for this race? I can only think......Money????

Teri Edge, Longview, TX