Why not a horse? Or Four Singing Horses?
Sad news from the UK:
http://www.940news.com/nouvelles.php?cat=20&id=60367
Horatio Nelson euthanized; Sir Percy wins English Derby at 19:40 on June 3, 2006, EST.
EPSOM, England (AP) - Two weeks after Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro shattered his right hind leg at the start of the Preakness, another top horse was euthanized after breaking his front left leg in the English Derby.
With Queen Elizabeth II looking on in the crowd of 100,000 fans, Horatio Nelson was pulled up 600 yards from the finish by jockey Kieren Fallon in the race that Sir Percy won in one of the closest finishes in the 227-year history of the race.
Chasing his fourth Derby win in eight years, Fallon had been worried about the before the field of 18 went into the stalls. Although there appeared to be no problems during the first mile, Fallon pulled up Horatio Nelson and dismounted.
"Horatio Nelson was examined at the start of the Derby by one of the racecourse veterinary surgeons who consulted Aidan O'Brien, who was present at the start," said Paul Struthers, spokesman for the Horseracing Regulatory Authority.
"The veterinary surgeon and the trainer agreed that they were satisfied that Horatio Nelson was fit to compete.
"Following the race the horse was taken to the veterinary treatment centre and several X-rays were taken of the injured leg. They revealed that Horatio Nelson had suffered fractures of the cannon and sesamoid bones and a dislocation of the fetlock joint. Sadly the injuries were considered to be too severe to be repaired and the horse has therefore been euthanized."