Where Went Thou, Ferdinand?

After serving at stud in Japan, Ferdinand's probable fate was a slaughterhouse. He won the 1986 Kentucky Derby. His U.S. owners wanted him returned to America.

"Horse Sense" (# 5) explores the impending death of 1986 Kentucky Derby Champion Ferdinand.

Ferdinand: (Standing in the lineup of death row.) Nervous whinny.

Other: Return whinny.

Ferdinand's bridle handler: "Whoa, boy. Don't get nervous on me."

Ferdinand: Whinny to other. "I am nervous."

Friend from inside the first building in front of Ferdinand: High whinny. "Ferd?"

Ferdinand: Nervous whinny. "Al? Al! Are you in line?"

Al: "Yes! The first building. It's terrible in here!!" High whinny.

Ferdinand: "Al -- Al! What is this? There are wretched odors here, and I can smell blood!"

Al: "It's slaughter, Ferd! I saw Lucky, and he...he screamed, Ferd, when he went into the next room!"

Ferdinand: Nervous whinny. "What do you mean, Al? Slaughter? Is that the smell? What are they doing to everyhorse?"

Al: "Don't come in, Ferd --"

Other whinny: "Al? Ferd? What's going on? I'm in the holding corral on the other side of the first building. What's going on! What is this?"

Al: "Princess?"

Other: "Yes! Al, please, what's happening!"

Al: Screeching whinny. "Oh, Princess --"

Ferdinand: "Al! Hold on --"

Al: "Ferd! Don't come in --"

Ferdinand: "I'm being held. I can't break free!"

Al: "Princess! Jump the corral fence!"

Princess: Frightened whinny. "It's too high! I can't!"

Al: "Try, Princess! Try!!! Oh, dear Pegasus, they're coming at me! Ferd! Get away! It's slaughter, I tell you! They're killing us in here! Go! Now!"

Ferdinand: "Al! I can't get away!" Half rearing, calling with whinny of fright and confusion.

Al: "Run, Princess! The fence! Go, Ferd! Go! Oh, no --"

Ferdinand: "Al? Al! Talk to me, buddy! Al?"

Princess: "Ferdinand?"

Ferdinand: "Princess! Are you tied?"

Princess: "No."

Ferdinand: "Then jump, Princess. Jump! I smell blood, and it's stronger now. Al! Al! Pegasus, no. Jump, Princess! Al? Al!"

FACT: In 2002 in Japan, Ferdinand was "disposed of", most likely in a slaughterhouse, his U.S. owners learned after they had launched inquiries through reporter Barbara Bayer.