Barbaro ( April 29, 2003 – January 29, 2007 ) was an American thoroughbred that decisively won the 2006 Kentucky Derby but shattered his leg two weeks later, in the 2006 Preakness Stakes, ending his racing career and eventually leading to his death.

On May 20, 2006, Barbaro ran in the Preakness Stakes as a heavy favorite, but, after he false-started, he fractured three bones in and around the ankle of his right hind leg shortly after the start of the race. The injury ruined any chance of a Triple Crown in 2006 and ended his racing career. The next day, he underwent surgery at the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania for his injuries. In July he developed laminitis in his left rear leg. He had an additional five surgeries, and his prognosis varied as he remained for an extraordinarily long period of time in the equine Intensive Care Unit. While his right leg eventually healed, a final risky surgery on it proved futile because the colt soon developed further laminitis in both front legs. His veterinarians and owners then concluded that he could not be saved, and Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007. [1]

2006 Kentucky Derby

Going into the race, Barbaro was undefeated. He was sent off as the second choice of the betting public, at odds of 6:1, in a full field of 20 horses. Barbaro charged ahead during the last turn and straightaway of the race to win by six and a half lengths. Barbaro's lead in the final furlong expanded although jockey Edgar Prado did not use the whip to ask for his top speed. This margin of victory at the Kentucky Derby was the largest since 1946, when Triple Crown winner Assault took the "Run for the Roses" by eight lengths. Barbaro's win made him only the sixth undefeated horse to win the Kentucky Derby. [2] During the gallop-out after the wire, Barbaro's lead extended to 20 lengths, which is rare during post-race gallop-outs. Barbaro had also not raced for 5 weeks previously, which was the longest time without racing in 50 years that a horse won the Derby. There is now a TY Beanie Baby of Barbaro on sale, with his number 8 that he won the Derby with.

2006 Preakness Stakes and Injury

Barbaro's Preakness Stakes began with a false start when he crashed through the starting gate prematurely. Barbaro had used only his nose to disengage the magnetically locked gate bars. He was led back around the gates. Maryland's Chief Veterinarian, David G. Zipf, personally attested to Barbaro's fitness upon being reloaded into the gate. In retrospect, it is impossible to know whether the false start was related to the injury that would happen moments later. As the restarted race began, Barbaro had a good start and was briefly in a better position than at the same point in the Kentucky Derby.

Many theories as to the cause of the accident have been offered, though none has been confirmed. Barbaro broke his right hind leg in more than 20 places according to Bob Costas on the Tv special Barbaro: A Nation's Horse: a broken cannon bone above the ankle, a broken sesamoid bone behind the ankle and a broken long pastern bone below the ankle. The fetlock joint was dislocated. The foot was left hanging loosely. Veteran jockey Edgar Prado immediately pulled Barbaro up and brought him to a gentle stop. He dismounted and leaned his shoulder into the horse's shoulder to support the horse until track attendants arrived. Bernardini went on to win the race.

Injury Aftermath

Barbaro's injuries were life-threatening because a thoroughbred's breeding optimizes its anatomy for speed rather than durability. Unlike other mammals, such as dogs, a horse cannot survive in humane circumstances on three legs. A single broken leg in a horse can lead to complications as the other legs attempt to bear the weight of the horse's body. [3]

Initial Surgery

Barbaro was taken to the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania for treatment. The center is renowned for its specialized care, especially for animals needing complicated bone surgery. Dr. Dean Richardson was assigned as Barbaro's primary veterinarian.

The day after the race, Richardson performed a fusion of the fetlock and pastern joints to stabilize it and make it strong enough for Barbaro to walk on. It was a five hour procedure and was one of the toughest surgeries he had ever performed. The surgical team successfully implanted a Synthes stainless steel Locking Compression Plate and 27 screws into the colt's injured leg to span the comminuted fracture and joints. They used the LCP because its screws thread into the plate to provide maximum strength. Richardson is one of the first equine surgeons to implement this new technology, originally designed for humans. A fiberglass cast was placed over this to further protect the construct. Barbaro then went in the recovery pool at 7:40 pm. [4] [5]

After about an hour in the pool, at around 9:00 p.m. EDT, Barbaro began to calmly awake from the anesthesia, stood and practically jogged to his stall. He then ate and was comfortably putting weight on the injured leg. The blood supply to the injury site was very good, but Richardson still gave Barbaro a 50-50 chance of survival. [6] [7] The next morning Barbaro was already showing interest in some of the mares at the facility. He was walking well on his limb, walking around the stall, he was quite active for his condition; in short, his first week of recovery went well. On June 13, Barbaro had his cast replaced. On July 3, Barbaro had his cast replaced a second time.

Complications

In the first week of July, complications arose, and Barbaro had problems with both hind legs. He developed an abscess on his uninjured left foot, which was treated topically, but he carried a fever through the weekend and failed to put weight on his injured right foot for any significant length of time.

By July 13, Barbaro had developed a severe case of laminitis in the left hind hoof, a potentially life-threatening affliction that is common in horses who shift weight to one foot for extended periods of time to keep pressure off an injured foot (in Barbaro's case, the right ankle he broke in the Preakness). A procedure called a hoof wall resection removed 80% of Barbaro's left rear hoof. The remaining 20% of his hoof wall was still attached to the coffin bone and was still living tissue, but it was unclear how much of it would ever grow back. Both rear legs were in casts. Richardson stated that his plans were to restrict himself to aggressive but standard treatments and that he would use no experimental procedures. [8] [9] [10] [11] Barbaro was given a special support boot for his laminitic hoof and placed on painkillers; a support sling was brought into his stall to allow him to take the weight off his hooves for hours at a time.

Slow Recovery

On August 8, Barbaro's broken right leg had fused to the point where they would have replaced the cast with a brace if his left leg were sound. The coronary band on his left leg (the place from which the hoof grows) appeared healthy and all signs were encouraging. [12] On the 15th it was reported that Barbaro had been allowed to graze outside for the first time since his accident. [13] Two days later, Barbaro was no longer using the sling to support his weight, and so its use was discontinued. [14] The next day, August 18, radiographs showed that his fractured right leg was almost completely fused. [15]

By September 26, it was decided that Barbaro's cast would not be replaced as long as he was comfortable in it. His left hind hoof had regrown about 18 millimeters and the support shoe had been replaced with a bandage. The hoof would have to grow to at least three times that length and that that could take more than six months.

On October 10, Barbaro's cast and protective shoe were changed. His left rear hoof was gradually improving from laminitis. There was good growth along the quarters (closer to the heel) but there will need to be much more healing along the front of the hoof, which would require many months. [16]

Barbaro reached another milestone on November 6, 2006 when his cast was removed for good and replaced with a splinted bandage. [17] Barbabo's laminitic showed no new problems, but several months of growth would have been necessary before it could be further diagnosed. About December 12, Barbaro's bandage on his right hind leg was removed completely. This was announced during a press conference on Wednesday, December 13.

New complications and Death

Early in January 2007, the laminitic left hoof became the source of more complications. On January 10 , another section of the hoof had been surgically removed. [18] Updates over the next few days revealed that the cast had been reapplied to Barbaro's right hind leg for support, and that aggressive pain management and the support sling had been resumed. Nevertheless, Barbaro's condition was better than it had been the previous July.

In another setback, Barbaro developed a deep abscess in his right hind foot. Additional surgery was performed on January 27 to insert two steel pins into the healed bones of Barbaro's right foot as part of an external skeletal fixation device. This would allow the right foot to bear more weight, but the procedure was risky, with the major danger being that the bones might break again. [19] [20] Later that same weekend, Barbaro's front legs, which had remained healthy throughout the ordeal, displayed clear signs of laminitis; Barbaro could not then comfortably put his weight on any of his legs. The laminitis that attacked his front legs developed as a result of not being able to bear weight on his hind legs.

Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007 around 10:30 A.m. EST by decision of his owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who indicated that they felt that his pain was no longer manageable. [21]

For his efforts to save Barbaro, the Turf Publicists of America voted Richardson their 2006 Big Sport of Turfdom Award.

Memorial

Barbaro was cremated shortly after he was euthanized. It is still unclear where his ashes will reside. Some options include the Kentucky Derby Museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs, where he won the 2006 Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., and the Jacksons' Lael Farm, just a few miles away from the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. [22]

Barbaro is being memorialized by a Florida race track. [23] He also inspired a large anonymous donation to the New Bolton Center establishing the Barbaro Fund, to aid the treatment and care of large animals.

In 2006 a Limited Edition Ty Beanie Babies Barbaro Beanie was released. The plushie is 7" tall, 8" long and wearing his No. 8 on pink saddle cloth.

Public Reaction

A following grew up around Barbaro after his breakdown in the Preakness. He became the object of care and affection from the public in a way only a few animals before him have. His stall at New Bolton was decorated with many thousands of Get Well cards (including a 7 ft by 72 ft card from fans at the Belmont Stakes), flowers and presents sent in by fans. Others sent in items meant to help him recover, such as saint medallions and holy water. His condition was followed by news organizations on a daily basis.

During most of Barbaro's attempted recovery and after his death, there were some statements in the media who felt that Barbaro did not deserve the amount of attention that he was receiving from his supporters and the media. Deadspin, an online sports blog, was particularly satirical towards Barbaro's supporters; visitors to the University of Pennsylvania's Barbaro Message Board were mocked by Deadspin posters and staff. [24]

Others had previously suggested that, aside from the economic incentives, Barbaro had demonstrated a disposition that might enable him to survive and hopefully become a stud. [25] Time magazine commented that despite the difficulties, Barbaro's fight was inspiring and that the hope for a near-miracle was not worthless. [26]

Legacy

Barbaro's accident and struggle has led some to call for a review of the practices of tradition-bound thoroughbred horse racing and breeding. Many acknowledge that modern thoroughbreds are more delicate than those of much of the sport's history. Some also ask if the scheduling of the Triple Crown is too much for colts and whether other such disasters for the sport are likely to soon follow. Barbaro's injury intensified the debate over the use of artificial track surfaces at racecourses. [27]

The Jacksons have endowed a chair for equine disease research at the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary school. [28]

In honor of Barbaro's valiant fight against his injuries in the 2006 Preakness Stakes, NTRA has established the NTRA Charities, Barbaro Memorial Fund. This fund will focus on Equine Health and Safety -- which will include research to find a cure for laminitis, the disease that ultimately took Barbaro's life.

Connections

Barbaro was owned and bred by Gretchen and Roy Jackson's Lael Stables in West Grove, Pennsylvania.

Barbaro was trained by Michael R. Matz at Fair Hill Training Center. During his racing career he was ridden by Edgar Prado and Jose Caraballo. Neither jockey rode him at any time other than in his races. Peter Brette was his regular exercise rider.

Breeding

Racing career

Honors

• Pimlico Racecourse has renamed the Sir Barton Stakes the Barbaro Stakes in honor of the horse. The race is due to be run before the Preakness Stakes, the race in which Barbaro suffered his injury. The winner of the first Barbaro Stakes on May 19, 2007 was Chelokee, a three year old colt trained by, appropriately enough, Barbaro's trainer Michael Matz. [29]

References

1. Smiley, Jane (2007), "Barbaro, The Heart in the Winner's Circle: Time Line" , The Washington Post, 30 Jan, 2007 - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/29/AR2007012901004.html
2. "Barbaro makes Derby his sixth victory in six starts" . ESPN , May 7, 2006 - http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown06/news/story?id=2435981
3. "Explainer: Why a Broken Leg Is Bad News for a Horse" Slate , May 22, 2006 - http://www.slate.com/id/2142159
4. "Derby winner Barbaro undergoes surgery". AP, May 22, 2006 - http://msn.foxsports.com/horseracing/story/5626796
5. Tim Woolley Horseracing News . Retrieved on May 22, 2006 - http://www.timwoolleyracing.com/news/
6. "After Successful Surgery, Barbaro's Chances Remain 'Coin Toss'" . The Blood-Horse, May 23, 2006 - http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33671
7. "Barbaro surgery successful, Derby winner begins road to recovery". AP, May 22, 2006 - http://www.firstcoastnews.com/sports/news-article.aspx?storyid=58016
8. Barbaro May Die Due to Foot Inflamation - http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/13/D8IR84907.html
9. Vets lose confidence in Barbaro's recovery; laminitis hits July 13 - http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/0607/063.shtml
10. "Doctors Say Barbaro's Life Is at Risk Due to an Inflammation in His Left Hind Foot" Associated Press, July 14, 2006 - http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/RAC_BARBARO?SITE
    =TXMID&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
11. Barbaro doing 'much better' July 14 , 2006 - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/more/07/14/barbaro.better.ap/index.html
12. Veterinarian: Barbaro's right hind leg healing well August 1, 2006 - http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=2536511
13. Barbaro goes out to graze August 15, 2006 - http://horseracing.sportsline.com/cbs/headlines/showarticle.aspx?articleId=12153
14. Barbaro no longer needs support sling August 17, 2006 - http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=2552969
15. Penn Veterinary Medicine (2006-08-28). Barbaro has cast change . Retrieved on 2007- 02-11. http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update8-28.htm
16. Barbaro's condition gradually improving Associated Press, October 10, 2006 - http://msn.foxsports.com/horseracing/story/6047292?FSO1&ATT=HCP&GT1=8705
17. After cast removed, Barbaro uses 'all of his legs quite well' "The Baltimore Sun", November 7, 2006 - http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/horseracing/bal-sp.digesttop07nov07,0,7371513.story?coll=bal-sports-horse
18. Barbaro suffers setback January 10, 2007 - http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update1-10.htm
19. Barbaro has another significant setback January 28 - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070128/ap_on_sp_ot/rac_barbaro
20. Latest surgery on right hind leg marks new setback SI.com, January 29, 2007 - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/01/28/bc.rac.barbaro.ap/index.html
21. Barbaro euthanized Monday morning January 29, 2007 - http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=2747087
22. The Washington Post; Associated Press (2007-01-30). Barbaro May Be Buried at Churchill Downs. Retrieved on 2007- 02-11. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/30/AR2007013000651.html
23. Veterinary Scholarship Started in Barbaro's Name Associated Press, January 30, 2007 - http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/1/30/115058.shtml
24. Deadspin.com (2006-12-12). Sick Is A Nice Way Of Saying What We Are . Retrieved on 2007- 04-01. http://deadspin.com/sports/barbaro/sick-is-a-nice-way-of-saying-what-we-are-221192.php
25. "Poise on the track may save horse's life" The Baltimore Sun , May 21, 2006 - http://www.courant.com/sports/bal-te.medical21may21,0,6592683.story
26. Time Magazine (2007-01-29). Barbaro: Was It All Worth It?. Retrieved on 2007 - 02-11. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1583250,00.html
27. Barbaro's death: Equine beauty meets harsh reality Jan. 30, 2007 - http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2747259
28. Jacksons give $3M for research February 13, 2007 - http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=23392
29. Barbaro Stakes to Debut at Pimlico in May 2007 After Maryland Jockey Club Renames Sir Barton Stakes December 20, 2006 - http://www.pimlico.com/NewsEvents/FeatureStories/Details/Baltimore122006B.htm

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