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Dear Jeremy Rose,
As an avid racing fan, someone who is truly attached to the Sport of Kings as an active participant, do all of us who love this game a favor. Take your suspension, go to anger management, pay the vet bills for Appeal to the City, and then find another profession.
For those of you out there, and I know you exist, that don't believe that Jeremy Rose's actions in the 3rd race at Delaware were completely reprehensible, feel free to contact me with your opinions. For those of you, like myself, that found his whipping of Appeal to the City across the face, followed by his continued whipping and then his look to see what type of damage was done to the mare's face, completely reprehensible, then read on.
In a time of heightened sensitivity regarding all things racing, everyone involved in the game must behave carefully. Since May 3 all of us who support horse racing, whether it be with our dollars, our lungs, or our livelihood, have been scrutinized. We've been accused of following a sport that is cruel, inhumane, and replete with characters blinded by the glitter of the almighty dollar and how they can gain it through the performance of their equines. In my opinion, almost all of what we've been accused of is baloney. While tragedies like that of Eight Belles occur, they should not cast such a horrendous shadow over a game where plenty of good things take place, both for humans and horses.
Then you have incidents like Monday's at Delaware that just add fuel to everyone's fire. When you have been accused of being a racist, you don't make racial remarks (ahem, Don Imus.) When you garner your salary in a game whose every facet is being analyzed, you don't make it worse by doing something so inexplicably idiotic like hitting a horse across the face with your whip.
So, sorry Jeremy, you've lost all credibility with most racing fans as someone who can ever get on a horse and proclaim that you have their best interests at heart. Prior to Monday you had a terrific career and were one of the bright young stars of this sport. With one strike of your whip you ruined it all. I can't imagine there is an owner out there who could ever trust you with their horses' wellbeing after you've been legged up.
I know I couldn't.
Sincerely,
Nick Tammaro
Contact Nick Tammaro at ntammaro@racingdispatch.com
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As an avid racing fan, someone who is truly attached to the Sport of Kings as an active participant, do all of us who love this game a favor. Take your suspension, go to anger management, pay the vet bills for Appeal to the City, and then find another profession.
For those of you out there, and I know you exist, that don't believe that Jeremy Rose's actions in the 3rd race at Delaware were completely reprehensible, feel free to contact me with your opinions. For those of you, like myself, that found his whipping of Appeal to the City across the face, followed by his continued whipping and then his look to see what type of damage was done to the mare's face, completely reprehensible, then read on.
In a time of heightened sensitivity regarding all things racing, everyone involved in the game must behave carefully. Since May 3 all of us who support horse racing, whether it be with our dollars, our lungs, or our livelihood, have been scrutinized. We've been accused of following a sport that is cruel, inhumane, and replete with characters blinded by the glitter of the almighty dollar and how they can gain it through the performance of their equines. In my opinion, almost all of what we've been accused of is baloney. While tragedies like that of Eight Belles occur, they should not cast such a horrendous shadow over a game where plenty of good things take place, both for humans and horses.
Then you have incidents like Monday's at Delaware that just add fuel to everyone's fire. When you have been accused of being a racist, you don't make racial remarks (ahem, Don Imus.) When you garner your salary in a game whose every facet is being analyzed, you don't make it worse by doing something so inexplicably idiotic like hitting a horse across the face with your whip.
So, sorry Jeremy, you've lost all credibility with most racing fans as someone who can ever get on a horse and proclaim that you have their best interests at heart. Prior to Monday you had a terrific career and were one of the bright young stars of this sport. With one strike of your whip you ruined it all. I can't imagine there is an owner out there who could ever trust you with their horses' wellbeing after you've been legged up.
I know I couldn't.
Sincerely,
Nick Tammaro
Contact Nick Tammaro at ntammaro@racingdispatch.com
12 Comments
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We have yet to hear a peep from Rose, his agent, his attorney, the owner, the trainer - only the official from Delaware who said Rose's actions were "extreme.” To call for Rose to be ousted from his profession, not just ruled off for six months, without any public comment from anyone involved, seems premature.
“Prior to Monday you had a terrific career and were one of the bright young stars of this sport. With one strike of your whip you ruined it all.”
Really? Is the same said for Russell Baze who was charged with excessive whip use and, believe it or not, animal cruelty by the Bay Meadows stewards in August 2007 when he whipped a horse that broke down in deep stretch. Or for long-time journeyman Victor Molina at Philadelphia Park who kicked a horse twice after being tossed pre-race, also in 2007. The same Molina who is often the “go-to” guy for trainers shipping in from out of town in need of a ride – a multi-decade staple at the track. Combined, the two were on the shelf for six weeks.
Think about your assessment in the same words you used. “One strike.” Not two or three. Regardless of intent or any potential for accident, it was ill-advised and being in that position, Rose is not immune to punishment.
PETA is going to jump on this soon enough, we know that. Perhaps Rose even becomes “the example.” Personally, I’ll allow some time and hopefully, more developed comments by those involved, before passing judgment.
Because Molina kicked a horse, or that Baze whipped a stricken runner, means its okay to hit a horse in the face, or nullifies him from harsh punishment? This defense never worked for me on the playground or during recess, and it shouldn't work here.
The horse gets whacked in the eye, she bolts to the right after cocking her head 90-degrees, and he hits her twice on the shoulder again. I'm not sure you can really explain that. Don't get me wrong, accidents happen, but usually when you hit the person the first time with the car, you don't do it twice more.
Travis - you are selectively reading. I'm not saying it is ok to hit the horse in the face or nullify harsh punishment. Molina was ruled off for four weeks and Baze for two. I'm thinking that on par, 24 weeks might seem excessive.
Furthermore, he doesn't strike the horse in the face three times - just once. He didn't hit "the car" three times, just one time. The other two hits were shoulder whips, which are within the rules.
Excess whip use is being applied here to one strike. And I continue to maintain that until we see some intent to harm, some uncontrollable anger, or something else, I'm withholding tossing the book at Rose.
Everyone agrees the incident was awful. Nick.. challenging people to an email fight is juvenile. The question is what is the proper punishment. Believe it or not... some people think 6 months is way too long of a suspension where the precedence isn't there.
Sometimes when there is no precedent...one must be established...I feel safe in saying that Rose getting six months should make the next jockey who would do something like this with his/her whip will make them think twice before doing so.
True, Michael. An interesting discussion took place during the Royal Ascot meeting between John "Mutton Chops" McCririck and studio host Matt Chapman from At the Races. I listened to it live and was amused and got the thought process rolling and fortunately, Steve Haskin got all the details in this column:
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2008/06/22/Royal-Ascot-a-Tonic-for-U.S.-Woes.aspx
If there is excessive whip usage, the horse should be immediately disqualified and the betting adjusted. The issue was generated when Johnny Murtagh received a suspension and fine immediately after winning a G1 aboard Haradasun. The betting stood, and so does the winning purse money and the other spoils, but he's punished after the fact.
Ivwed,
I'm not challenging anyone to an email fight, but simply a discussion of differing opinions. I consider Pat Cummings a dear friend but he and I completely disagree on this topic. Intelligent conversation is usually stimulated by varying opinions.
Thanks for commenting!
Nick
Six months without a way to earn a living is rough. He can't work by cell phone. If you don't feel he is worthy to ride horses then ban him from participating completely forever. Enough of these double standards with owners and trainers and jockeys.
When all else fails, give him the Dutrow punishment.
Steven Crist chimed on the issue. Called the 6 month supsension a total over reaction.
I also talked to a few jockeys about this issue and they also thought the 6 month suspension was very harsh. Sure...they might be biased. The few jockeys I talked to were all in agreement Rose should be suspended but 6 months was way over the line. The trainer of the horse in question came out and said it was an accident.
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