by Milo

And now, a moment of silence for one truly fine thoroughbred who has passed away; a story of a 4-year-old bay colt’s fight for life ended in a death note.

Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner regarded as one of the best colts ever to race, was euthanized after going through an eight-month painful journey in hopes of recovering from a breakdown during the Preakness Stakes.  According to the co-owner Roy Jackson, “It was going to be difficult for him [Barbaro] to go on without pain.”

Barbaro won his first three races on turf, the Holy Bull Stakes, the Florida Derby and of course the Kentucky Derby convincingly.  No one had a chance when Barbaro was around.  He was well on his way towards claiming a Triple Crown as many believed could happen especially with his six wins in seven starts.

In Preakness, this prestigious Grade 1 stakes race last May 20, Barbaro’s right hind leg flared out and shattered prompting everyone to rush the valant colt 30 miles to the New Bolton Center where Barbaro underwent a five-hour operation to fuse two joints.

Eight months after, including several surgeries, braces, slings, casts and procedures to nurse him back to health, and several setbacks like a series of ailments including laminitis in the left rear hoof and an abscess in the right rear hoof in between, the owners together with the surgeon decided to give the colt its peace.

There was a glimpse of hope last December.  Barbaro’s broken bones were almost healed and the colt was doing daily walks outside his intensive care unit, a sort of rehabilition for the injured.  However, the laminitis, a disease that can cause damage to the lamellar tissues, continued to worsen.

Horse racing fans all over also did their part in helping the colt survive.  Gifts, religious medals, e-mails were given to Barbaro topped off with 1.2 million dollars coming from the “Barbaro Fund” in order to purchase the much needed equipment for the colt’s survival.

Sadly, Barbaro was struck down by a disease most fatal to horses that it was a miracle for him to survive for this long.  Many horses with this disease more often than not are killed to relieve them from the pain.  In human terms, it’s apparently as painful as having all of your fingernails and toenails peeled off simultaneously.

Once again, we bid you farewell as you run races through the Rainbow Bridge amongst the other champions there.