Barbaro - Rest in Peace

 
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, was euthanized early today at the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center, after suffering another significant setback over the weekend.

The decision was made early Monday after consulting with Dean Richardson, D.V.M., chief surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania'€™s veterinary school. After Barbaro developed a deep abscess in his right hind foot, surgery was performed Saturday to insert two steel pins in a bone that was shattered but now healthy, to eliminate all weight bearing on the ailing foot.

"It reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain,” co-owner Roy Jackson said. “It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time.”

The leg was on the mend until the abscess began causing discomfort last week. Until then, the major concern was Barbaro’s left rear leg, which developed laminitis in July, and 80 percent of the hoof was removed. 

It was a series of complications, including laminitis in the left rear hoof and a recent abscess in the right rear hoof, that proved to be too much for the valient colt, whose breakdown brought an outpouring of support across the country.

the get-well cards and banners eventually will fade, but the biggest gift has been the $1.2 million raised since early June for the Barbaro Fund. The money is put toward needed equipment such as an operating room table, and a raft and sling for the same pool recovery Barbaro used after his surgeries.   

The Jacksons spent tens of thousands of dollars hoping the best horse they ever owned would recover and be able to live a comfortable life on the farm - whether he was able to breed or not.  The couple, who own about 70 racehorses, broodmares and yearlings, and operate the 190-acre Lael Farm, have been in the horse business for 30 years, and never had a horse like Barbaro.

Barbaro captured our hearts, bringing international attention and unprecedented emotional support. He was brilliant on the race track, running  the Derby's fastest final quarter-mile since Secretariat in 1973 to win by nearly seven lengths -- the biggest margin of victory in 60 years -- in a 20-horse field. 

Barbaro... May you rest in peace... You will always will be remembered for your amazing talent and your brave fight for survival.

Comments

[Molly]

He truly was a champion who gave me goose bumps like Secretariat did.

[Mary]

Somewhere...
Somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.

Stanley Harrison

I hope it's true! Godspeed Sweet Barbaro.

Posted by: Mary Bargerstock at January 29, 2007 9:37 PM

[MiKael]

This is so sad. My heart goes out to the owners. I know what it's like to lose a once in a lifetime colt, that makes this all the more devestating. And such a great loss to the thoroughbred community. He will always be in our hearts. What a truly magnificent horse!

[Doe]

Such a brave horse, and so fortunate to have loving owners who never gave up on him and were willing to give him every chance. Rest in peace, sweet boy.

[deen]

yeah.. great info about horse.. great work

[Dressagemom]

That video had me in tears. It's just amazing in this day and age that laminitis took this great horse. I know they did everything they could have done.

And to anyone who said "What's the big deal? He's just a horse." He wasn't yours, so you have no right to make judgement statements like that.

[Wendy, Deer Park, Washington]

What a truly incredible horse that will be missed by all.

May the pain of your loss be replaced by all those fond memories of such a wonderful animal...

See you across the Rainbow Bridge big boy, run free...

My heart goes out to his owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Dean Richardson and all the people who were helping him the past eight months as well as Edgar Prado, Michael Matz, and all the trainers and grooms who where lucky enough to know this beautiful horse.

[Viv]

The biggest thing that strikes me about this story - is that this is one horse. I'm not saying this isn't a great horse, or that I don't have sympathy for this horse. But that this is just one horse, we don't cry or make such a fuss about all the other horses that die as a result of the racetrack - or the training - or the lack of a plan by racehorses owners for when their horse retires or 'doesn't make it' ... Maybe if just a tenth of the attention given to this horse were given to all the horses in the racing world we might have less 'wastage' of racehorses.

[air jordans]

Write very well, there are some others that resonate.

[Jordan 13]

In all labor on all his CARES, Is the mother of invention. Everything is in labor on all his CARES, Become available things of truth.