Quality Road's Breeders' Cup Freakout

Quality Road delayed the start of the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic for 5 minutes when he decided he was NOT going to go into the gate. A few common tricks were used, but when the blindfold was put on and he found himself standing in the gate, he presumably panicked and lost his head, bucking and kicking and trying to bolt. Thanks to the assistant starters, a human hand was always clenched on a rein and he wasn't able to bolt off and run blind (literally) down the track and crash and kill himself.
He was scratched from the race with a cut on a leg, and went down in history as the first (and so far, only) late-scratch in Breeders' Cup history. The horses were reloaded and Zenyatta blew away to win.
I've never seen a gate mishap like this one. It's one thing to see a horse flip over and be lying down in there, but it's quite another when a 1100 horse has lost his head and puts himself and those around him in grave danger in a metal contraption.

[@debragillespie1081]

I was there that day and every roar from the crowd when QR bucked certainly didn't help in calming him down. It was a scary brief moment when QR plunged forward with the blindfold on. The asst. starter who held on to him deserved a huge bonus that day.

[@lbarbados38]

dang the fact that the starter acted quickly enough to grab that rein right as the horse pushed out of the gate- then held onto him as he spun and bucked. Great job by that guy.

[@bonezzzz6330]

The assistant starter risked his life to help Quality. Unbelievable selflessness shown there. Great job. And now Quality Road is a monster sire.

[@suntrespasser9684]

What a marvellous stallion he's gone on to become - lucky they kept him in one piece that day!

[@alexis1936]

Kudos to the guy who grabbed QR's lead! Man, that has to have been one of the scariest freak outs I've ever seen. I'm glad QR stayed healthy and happy after this incident to race another day! Loved him. Awesome horse.

[@Nyquil5]

Quality Road definitely had a mental meltdown on this day. He apparently has a history of bad gate behavior. In Breeders Cup coverage for a race earlier in the day, one of the horses in the race had been banned from racing in his own country due to poor gate behavior. Just very glad no one was seriously injured or killed. As a riding instructor, I know from experience that any horse at any moment can do enormous damage to themselves and those around them. Kudos to Zenyatta, a very special mare

[@OfficialMuffiin]

Props to the dude who grabbed him right as he broke out of the gate, he would've seriously injured himself if he got loose.

[@21Sarabi]

No Quality Road has always been skittish in the gate no matter how much gate training and schooling they have done.

[@ladypalerider]

The track worker that grabbed QRs head and spun him in circles saved everyone's ass

[@creaturelover]

that is the most serious gate freakout I've ever seen... really

[@laurenurban3942]

You should have seen Twice a Prince freak out in the gate of the 1973 Kentucky Derby. That was worse than this.

[@thelosthills]

Actually, the guy who held on to QR after the dust up did a great job hanging on. What a dangerous situation that was!

[@Tampaslice]

That blindfold took that horse from nervous to full blown psychosis!! Get that Fuckin' blindfold off of him"... best line of the video!

[@SkyeBellhop]

i know the guy that loaded Quality Road in. he said he got pretty banged up. they got one dangerous awesome job.

[@nyclastking1156]

What’s that job called ???

[@suzanneyoung8011]

@@nyclastking1156 Assistant Starter

[@kwgrid]

It was funny what the vet said after the race that Quality Road is a 'juvenile delinquent anyway.' LOL

[@AZdoberwoman]

The guy who grabbed his lead as he broke through the gate and hung on deserved a HUGE bonus in his paycheck! That horse was literally in a blind panic. He no doubt saved QR's life that day. And I don't care if it is his "job."

[@Venckman]

He's always been an unruly loader, helicopter or no helicopter. He's very large, and the gate is particularly claustrophobic for him. It's a well known problem for this particular horse.

[@battousaiblade]

omg that horse was just not having it and when he did get in, he wanted out and man did he get it

[@CanterQueen820]

wow QR was never gonna give in! don't blame him, some horses are like that. hes still a beauty and a great runner!

[@binaryg]

Thanks for posting this. It certainly added to the drama of what was about to happen. I'm glad Quality Road came out okay. Scary stuff.

[@HopeCreekConnemara]

Looks like he’s been forced to say yes for a long time, It takes a horse a lot to double barrel kick like that repeatedly.

[@wat2do199]

Some horses kick some don’t.

[@jazzthriller]

Sometimes these horses just don't feel like racing. They're not machines. Those handlers dealt with him really well!

[@ZenyattaFan1]

Thank you for posting the Qualiy Road incident. I have never seen an incident quite like that in my 25 years as a horseracing fan. I was telling my firned about the incident and I'm glad he will be able to see it. It was a very scary incident. Thank God the horse is ok.

[@bseaman2000]

I don't think they took any less time than normal. Horse racing goes on a schedule, and minutes count. Quality Road was simply NOT going in that gate that day. And all the other horses had to sit there and wait, and see/hear the uproar. As far as I can see, everybody did everything right that day.

[@Boomslang1]

bseaman2000 Absolutely. They gave him the best possible chance to start but it wasn't meant to be.

[@CastleMc]

Yes, thanks for posting this. I've seen it before and my concern was largely for the rest of the field-horses that impede the start and endanger everyone else should be scratched regardless of injury. I agree-the man who grabbed him leaving the gate saved the day

[@Shaniqua2Hepsibah]

This is a very good video. Thanks. Kudos to those guys working the gates and their talent at handling these horses.

[@BestBoysLanceAndCash]

Im amazed the other horses didnt start to freak out

[@kwgrid]

Sort of ironic that QR 'took the studs,' pardon the pun, in 2009 BCC and had to be scratched only to come back in 2010 and almost single-handedly cost Zenyatta the win when he stalled right in front her just before the turn for home.

[@number1saddlerbed]

Probably less in fact, the ammount of time they took is one of the longest ive seen. Truthfully though the starters did everything right, they would rub his neck reassuring him, and did much of what they could given the circumstances

[@KingKiaJames]

That handler who took control of a startled and panicked thoroughbred is the man! Its a shame QR didn't want to get in the gate, he was my pick to win

[@bseaman2000]

Quality Road is a great race horse. He did NOT want to go in that day. Many horses can put up a fuss, but rarely are they this insistent. The handlers did all the right things, many of those things work time after time. These horses can be just like little kids who "don't wanna to that!" This time was a little more unusual, but still, everybody came out of it uninjured. WTG handlers!

[@Tampaslice]

#11 sure got bad vibes, just as Quality Road goes thru the gate you can see #11 about a half a second from freaking out himself. Handler did good job.

[@4275ge]

Poor guy, he was not going to race that day, glad they scratched him.

[@sammiespitz407]

I wonder if Zenyatta knew something they didn't. "Um...Can I wait a little bit...Can I just go last? That one back there..."

[@flipflopchick101]

I was terrified for him...he clearly was not going in from the start...he bucked when they first tried to lead him toward the gate. I feel especially sorry for him that they put that blind fold on him because he could've very easily hurt himself much worse than he did.

[@ffalcons102]

Exactly. If a horse doesnt want to go into the gate, then HE DOESNT WANT TO GO INTO THE GATE. Nothing anybody does is going to change that. Blind folding him, disorientating him, and spooking him arent going to make him go in...just more irritable and frustrated.

[@theartofmelancholy]

@viking1938 that handler saved the day. and it didn't look easy for him.

[@Boomslang1]

That helicopter sound was freaking him out. In UK they attach the cameras to a hot air balloon to minimize any kind of noise.

[@OfficialMuffiin]

Horses that race generally have earplugs in

[@Boomslang1]

@Michael Demiurgos Works even better hey! Watched the JDJ a couple of weeks ago and it was rather eerie without the usual pomp and carnival atmosphere.

[@Katt30]

Man, I can't blame him for being hesitant, He had a freaking helicopter hovering pretty damn close above him, the crowd noise and everything. With the helicopter, I'm amazed the rest of the field didn't freak out as well. Maybe that's why Zenyatta didn't want to go in either.

[@Boomslang1]

yxcvbnm So horses are now 'trained' to load into stalls with helicopters hovering over them?

[@Letswinjeff1]

I LUV QUALITY ROAD!!!! he is a brilliant horse.

[@bseaman2000]

You are not crazy. The horse had a reason. I forgot that Zenyatta gave them a problem loading, too. She knew something was wrong. I think the handlers were wonderful. Most times it's what we might call stage fright. This time was something else. Glad they got him out before he hurt himself

[@freelancerider100]

Wow good job gate crew

[@mallorys728]

I bet he would've gone in with a horse treat

[@horsecrazy11]

He only has minor scrapes. I read up on it this morning. They this because the people who could not see the race (like me) wanted to know what happened.

[@FanOBarbaro]

when a horse starts bucking and losing control in the gate there's not much they can do except what was done in the video,,its a very dangerous situation

[@LauraAndMyPNHorses]

Everyone's entitled to there oppinion. No matter what happens I hope QR and all humans and animals have a great life and future.I try to look at the positive in all situations. Take care

[@Tampaslice]

When he went thru the gate he favors his right hind leg. You can see him keep it off the ground for a few steps afterwards. I'm sooo glad he was scratched. Imagine the Barbaro horror all over again.

[@ryanmcgarry-winne5015]

Tampaslice I remember watching this and SCREAMING at the tv, for them to scratch him, as soon as I saw him favor his right hind. A ligament injury with rest and a comeback, is much better than what could’ve happened. I still shudder at the thought. Common sense prevailed that day.

[@aveiceae]

they said he just has a scratch on his hind leg.. fortunately! glad he's ok.

[@bseaman2000]

me too, Nucleo85Torino. I respect it when a horse just doesn't want to do something, they generally have a reason. And while I do believe he would have given Zenyatta a run for her money, there just was no beating her that day :-)

[@XXXphukitXXX]

Well I just hope he is okay there FoxTrottrGrl. I wonder why he gets spooked so easily? Well at least they did not race him. That was a good call on the Vets part. Maybe next time we can see him race.

[@LauraAndMyPNHorses]

I talked to Pat Parelli a couple of days ago and he told me Todd pletcher called him after the race and QR will be going to Pat for help. If anyone can help QR get his confidence back is Pat. The thoroughbred industry needs more horseman. We would see alot less of this if people would use more psychology rather than force. Best fo luck with everyone involved:)

[@richardcoreno]

Johnny V. will have one-half of the race won Sunday in the Hal's Hope to get Quality Road into the starting gate without a problem. This cat is more of a handful than Rock Hard Ten.

[@ffalcons102]

Look, all I'm trying to say is that with some horses, correct training doesnt always correct the problems they have. I do agree with you that with most horses and most problems that they can be corrected. But with some horses, no amount of training is always going to fix the problems they have.

[@AZdoberwoman]

Someone commented that they "let" him out of the (front of the) gate. I'm pretty sure he pushed is way out - certainly can be done; Barbaro did so at the Preakness, I believe. Maybe he - and Quality Road - "knew" something.

[@21Sarabi]

I do agree. Why is it the people who "think" they know what they are talking about always have the blank pages made like a day or few weeks ago.

[@XXXphukitXXX]

Quality Road is known for doing this. I feel they need to change the rules in this sport. If a horse is not sure of going in, they should automatically scratch the horse. Due to this he sustained a scratch on his leg and that can become serious with infections plus cause stress on the horse. Thank god they did not try to continue to put him in there. Hope he is okay. I'm sure he is, but still this needs to be taken serious for these horses. I agree starz, listen to the horse.

[@pugglesprindle2698]

It’s the sound of the helicopter reverberating off The gate

[@Venckman]

Well, they have to van him back home across country now, because he also refused to get on the plane. So...yeah. I'd say he was pretty badly traumatized.

[@GBeret83]

Probably better he freaked out here. Otherwise, he would've been just another one of the colt's who freaked out when big mamma Zenyatta came flying by him in the stretch too.

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

Okay didn't get a chance to see TBC and while I'm watching, in the beginning I was LMAO because Quality Road was saying "Fuck This!! I ain't running for you humans!!!" but then when they tried to disorient him, get him into that gate, and he took "berserk" to a whole new level, I started getting scared even thought this happened last year. Something spooked the hell out of him! Poor Horsey.

[@bseaman2000]

with ya there mdsmemories. I could kick ESPN for their lack of Zenyatta coverage. She was the horse to bring ppl's interest back to racing, and whoever chose not to televise her accessibly, did a disservice to the horse racing sport.

[@UFCtrumpsboxing]

OH God, Quailty Road i hope he didn't get hurt and that no one got hurt, of course scary

[@WOOKSTER8]

First, The guy cracking the whip, Stupid move, Second, The guy that grabbed QR when he went through the front of the gate is a hero! QR was blindfolded, If he had gotten loose, It was a tragedy waiting to happen! So, Whoever his name is, Thank You...

[@LollinBallin]

@Horserider39 Btw if you listened, they said he wasnt hittint the horse , just making a sound to spook him in.. maybe you need glasses cuz even i could see that ..

[@laurenurban3942]

The poor horse wouldn’t get on the plane to go back home either. He was completely wracked. The got him on a van and drove him back. He’s still freaked out about the whole thing today.

[@XXXphukitXXX]

I agree. Somthing shoud be done about a horse and if it does not want to load. Why force it and cause serious inury. What if he loaded and due to his injury and something happened, ya know? But I have to say, what a run by Zenyatta. Such a beautiful and powerful soul she is. I heard they want to stop racing her and let her have a few little ones. I also heard they have a few by Barbaro. We will see. I just hope Quality Road is okay.

[@sandhorse1]

@BarrelsPolesandJack I agree that Clinton Anderson Downunder Horsemanship is the best horse training I have found. However, I did see Cris Cox rehabilitate a Thoroughbred with serious gate problems in less than 20 minutes. Thoroughbreds are trained to run.....unfortunately not enough time is taken to train ones with this particular problem on how to load in the gates. Too bad.

[@21Sarabi]

He is supposed to run in the Donn next..

[@Premaro]

Poor Quality Road. Hopefully this year he's okay about loading. He's been much better about it so far this year. I hope he wins the Breeder's Cup! He lost his last race, but I don't think it was really his fault.... he's the best horse racing right now in my opinion.

[@rockybudgeboa]

Look at Quality Roads body language,. He does not want to run today and thats that

[@ffalcons102]

I actually agree with you. Putting a blind fold on them isnt going to do jack even if they do disorient them. If the horse doesnt want to load, the he DOESNT WANT TO LOAD. Nothing anybody does is going to change that. Theres a difference between being jumpy and excited and being just scared of going in.

[@HorseCrazieGirl15]

@BarrelsPolesandJack Chris Cox had a 2 episode special on gate loading it seemed to help the horse alot both on the track and off

[@BeveC21E]

He knew that Zenyatta was in this race and he did not want to do it! This isn't a stupid animal...at all!

[@creaturelover]

Johnny Velasquez, I think

[@timgregory2393]

Quality Road was really good, but it really wasn't used to his surroundings. Johnny V. is a lucky guy. I saw him win the Met Mile that year

[@boxcarent.3147]

Fucken helicopter.

[@joshb729]

@cnard791 LOL.. You were refunded. If you didn't take your ticket to the teller than that is your problem.

[@FanOBarbaro]

u mean a gash on his leg?cause thats what i read in bloodhorse..that he has a hematoma on his leg from it

[@kwgrid]

Pinned ears!! Not a good sign!

[@Otis_TheHxllHound]

kwgrid indeed

[@broodmare25]

From what I've heard Quality Road has always had issues loading into the gate even with extensive training. And the thought of TB racers using Parelli makes me LOL. They train just fine. Not including ones who do abuse though. Should just be happy that they agreed to scratch him.

[@kimzinnie]

QR has a history of loading problems... IF they spoke to the east coast (NYRA) gate personnel to find out how to handle him, and know that even the sight of a whip would freak him out, well, we may have had him as a runner. Plus, when exactly did he come in? Could have spent a few days schooling at the gate! Poor horse... he could have really hurt himself, the poor gate guys and ALSO the horses waiting patiently.

[@salicemccool9186]

My question may be a stupid one with an obvious answer, but: Why can’t they load more than one horse at a time? Even if there’s no long & disturbing delay as occurred here to send their anxiety skyrocketing, I’d think the first few horses loaded, especially in races with large fields, like the Kentucky Derby, are getting a raw deal, given the high-strung nature of most Thoroughbreds.

[@CagneyLamaze]

In large fields (like the Kentucky Derby) horses actually are loaded two at a time. I'm not sure why it isn't done as a standard but I would bet it's safety related. If one horse goes nuts, it's helpful to have a team of other people available to help out, rather than 15 people all busy with their own charges while one horse is trying to kill itself and everyone around it.

[@21Sarabi]

John V did?? How do you know?? Also there is a reason why they have to jerk the chain from the horses mouth when they try to bite at it.

[@ffalcons102]

And let me make a suggestion to you- go out and test your theory that "correct training" will always fix any problem a horse has and then get back to me. Then let me know who needs to be educated. Merry Christmas to you too.

[@Sapphire771]

He scratched

[@horsecrazy11]

Poor Quality Road, but it happens. The gate isn't something they use to try and beat the crap out of the horse, Quality Road just hates the gate and there are several horses who don't like it, but he didn't die, so he is fine. At least they were smart enough to scratch him. He was having an off day. Even though he never wants to go in the gate, this particular day he had had enough. Good job gate people for trying!

[@WondersCreated]

We all have our oppionions....

[@n2ativone]

These people seriously need to learn about horsemanship and horse handling. They all need to sign up for lessons in Parelli Natural Horsemanship - it would make it safer & kinder for the horse and humans. Watching videos like this confirms my beliefs that most horse owners/handlers really don't have a clue about the nature of horses or how to work with them and the horses are the losers in this deal.

[@HorseCrazieGirl15]

i agree to that. or redesign the gate so horses are willing to go in. remember horses are animals that dont like small enclosed spaces

[@oscarorozco7368]

I think quality road wanted nothing to do with the gates at all because he freaked out like hell and did not focus on racing at all😀

[@ZenyattaLuver]

He Wouldn't Of , But I Do Believe This Boy Would Of finished A Strong 3rd , He Is Superior

[@danielleharrison5765]

I Have Zenyatta And Her Colt Cozmic One As Breyer Horses

[@ffalcons102]

Not really...disorientating the horse doesnt always work...as proven here. And neither does training. If a horse is this bad with gated and at this point hasnt grown out of it, odds are training isnt going to do anything. Learn your facts before you talk shit about other people.

[@xTragicalFiasco]

If your horse can't load in the starting gate without putting others at risk then they shouldn't be running, it's putting the horse at risk and the other $5mill horses at risk too. Idiots.

[@danielleharrison5765]

I hope Quality Road is ok, they tricked him of going into the starting gate with a blindfold on and he got scared to death. Poor horse and he wanted nothing to do with that gate

[@ken45y]

I wonder if it wasn't the BCC if they would have taken more time...

[@lbl9066]

Poor horse, didn’t want to go in.. they should have not forced him in..

[@CrystalSanchez094]

i cant wait to see what kind of foal that Quality Road and Zenyatta make,i hope a Princess

[@jeevesandbertie]

quality road wasn't freaking out though - just refusing. If you look at his behavior, it's very very decided and controlled. His agenda is to defeat the starters - when he's tricked into entering the gate he bucks shooting with purpose straight back, not up and down, like his feet are on fire so they can't close the gate. Then when he's let out the front, he goes in circles immediately, refusing to be led in a straight line - so he's not tricked again, blindfolded or not. Smart horse.

[@ralphzorse]

Watch again.QR was fearful and reacting out of instinct to what was happening around him. His jockey, who knows the horse, told the starters "how" to load QR. They ignored him. The helicopter, the whip, the starter "running" toward a panicked horse all contributed to his meltdown. He never kicked at anyone. He kicked straight back at the whip. If you watch closely, at the end of the video this horse is trembling from fear. Bob Duncan, at Belmont, will be able to help him overcome his fears.

[@georges.romero7488]

Again only because I'm not there this happens surrounded by humanoids at the gate again