Kentucky Derby

[earendel]

I wonder why they didn't try to fix it.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/33663.htm

The lateral condylar fracture, usually seen in racehorses, runs from the front to the back of the leg and up the lateral side (outside). This can often be repaired well enough so that horses can go back to work just as strong as before the injury.

Regrettably it isn't that simple, as the long struggle of Barbaro illustrates, and he had only one broken leg. There are pain issues as well as long-term issues such as laminitis, which often ends up claiming the horse even if the fracture is repaired.