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.
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