Another Legend, Gone Too Soon

[vivalaultra 0]

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - (AP) -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized today after complications from his breakdown at the Preakness last May.

 

''We just 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.''

 

Roy and Gretchen Jackson were with Barbaro on this morning, with the owners making the decision in consultation with chief surgeon Dean Richardson.

 

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 gallant colt, whose breakdown brought an outpouring of support across the country.

 

''I would say thank you for everything, and all your thoughts and prayers over the last eight months or so,'' Jackson said to Barbaro's fans.

 

On May 20, Barbaro was rushed to the New Bolton Center, about 30 miles southwest of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, hours after shattering his right hind leg just a few strides into the Preakness Stakes. The bay colt underwent a five-hour operation that fused two joints, recovering from an injury most horses never survive. Barbaro lived for eight more months, though he never again walked with a normal gait.

 

The Kentucky Derby winner suffered a significant setback over the weekend, and surgery was required to insert two steel pins in a bone -- one of three shattered eight months ago in the Preakness but now healthy -- to eliminate all weight bearing on the ailing right rear foot.

 

The procedure on Saturday was a risky one, because it transferred more weight to the leg while the foot rests on the ground bearing no weight.

 

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.

 

Richardson said this morning that Barbaro did not have a good night.

 

Brilliant on the race track, Barbaro always will be remembered for his brave fight for survival.

 

The story of the beloved 3-year-old bay colt's fight for life captured the fancy of millions and drew an outpouring of support unrivaled in sports.

 

When Barbaro broke down, his right hind leg flared out awkwardly as jockey Edgar Prado jumped off and tried to steady the ailing horse. Race fans at Pimlico wept. Within 24 hours the entire nation seemed to be caught up in a ''Barbaro watch,'' waiting for any news on his condition.

 

Well-wishers young and old showed up at the New Bolton Center with cards, flowers, gifts, goodies and even religious medals for the champ, and thousands of e-mails poured into the hospital's Web site just for him.

 

''I just can't explain why everyone is so caught up in this horse,'' Roy Jackson, who owned the colt with his wife, Gretchen, has said time and again. ``Everything is so negative now in the world, people love animals and I think they just happen to latch onto him.''

 

Devoted fans even wrote Christmas carols for him, sent a wreath made of baby organic carrots and gave him a Christmas stocking.

 

Although the get-well cards and banners eventually will fade or be trashed, 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.

 

As the days passed, it seemed Barbaro would get his happy ending. As late as December, with the broken bones in his right hind leg nearly healed and his laminitis under control, Barbaro was looking good and relishing daily walks outside his intensive care unit.

 

But after months of upbeat progress reports, including talk that he might be headed home soon, news came Jan. 10 of a serious setback because of the laminitis. Richardson had to remove damaged tissue from Barbaro's left hind hoof, and the colt was placed back in a protective sling.

 

On Jan. 13, another section of his left rear hoof was removed. After Barbaro developed a deep abscess in his right hind foot, surgery was performed Saturday to insert two steel pins in a bone, one that was shattered but now healthy, to eliminate all weight bearing on the ailing foot.

 

This after Richardson warned last December that Barbaro's right hind leg was getting stronger and that the left hind foot was a ``more formidable long-term challenge.''

 

In the end, the various complications from the breakdown at the Preakness were too much.

 

I'm not a horsey kinda guy, but I do love animals. RIP, Barbaro. You were the most famous horse since Seabiscuit who was the most famous horse sense Secretariat who was the most famous horse since Mr. Ed.

[2GOLD 0]

It was sadly only a matter of time. I think most people were shocked the horse lasted this long past the surgery.

[bob_barron 0]

I wonder if this will end the NY Times' obsession with him

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

The room is spinning.

 

Oh, Barbaro, we hardly knew ye.

[Mik 0]

Somewhere Dee Mirich just fainted.

 

The deadspin readers will get that one.

[Guest Princess Leena]

It would have better for all parties if they did this in May...

 

At least the poor horsey won't be hurting anymore.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

About damn time. I don't wish to be mean to the horse, but it's owners kept it alive for monetary gain. If there weren't eight figures in stud fees on the line, it never would have come this far.

[EricMM 0]

The sad thing is that my co-worker is so convinced by the line that they only kept him alive because they love him so strongly.

[The Man in Blak 0]

The real question is how much Latin has viva taken in school. I had an idea with "I have come for the exequies of the king", but "In pace requiescat"? For a horse? That's quite the articulate zinger there, cowboy.

[Slayer 0]

When I saw "requiescat", I thought it meant "rest in shit"

[the max 0]

Barbaro glue: 15 dollars a bottle.

[vivalaultra 0]

The real question is how much Latin has viva taken in school. I had an idea with "I have come for the exequies of the king", but "In pace requiescat"? For a horse? That's quite the articulate zinger there, cowboy.

 

 

In the midst of horse mourning, I took four semesters of Latin in college. I haven't taken a Latin class in a little over a year and, since I so rarely get the chance to use it, I'm not as sharp as I could be. My last semester in Latin, I translated Seneca's entire Epistulae Morales and I enjoy doing crosswords and playing Scrabble in Latin, but that's neither here nor there. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my silent candlelit vigil in honor of Barbaro...no horsing around.

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

I wouldn't be surprised to see this lead PTI, knowing how Kornheiser feels about Barbaro.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

One-for-one, Mr. Slim.

[Youth N Asia 0]

It's sad to see any pet/animal go. But it really doesn't matter to me that this horse ran fast or anything. It sucks, but I think I'll manage

[Boon 0]

Almost a page and still no dog food joke. I'm really disappointed in you, TSM.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

So what had Barbaro in the Death Pool?

[In Credible 0]

Mmmmmm we're eatin' Chop Suey tonight!

[Mik 0]

When I listened to Gretchens news conference tonight, near the end she asked us all to say a prayer for Barbaro. Which of course I have and will do. But it reminded me of something Jackie Kennedy asked the whole nation to do on the night that JFK was assassinated. She asked everyone to light a candle (electric) and put it in your window tonight to guide his spirit home. For some reason this gives me great comfort, as though I am able to do one last thing for Bobby. This is just a suggestion for anyone who would like to do it for Bobby. I want to know that he is over the Rainbow Bridge. -- 4Barbo [Tim Woolley Racing]

 

• I can't describe the awesome whirlwind of emotions I've felt over the last eight months--you've given all of us so much strength. I plan to name my first child Barbaro, in hopes that he has half the heart that you did. --Michael Sambuceti, 24; New York, NY, USA posted on 2007-01-29 14:25:18 [uPenn Message Board]

 

• These were the first six songs that played on my ipod in shuffle mode after I heard about Barbaro: 1) The Fallen 2) Let the Four Winds Blow 3) Shine It All Around 4) You're the Reason I'm Leaving 5) All the King's Horses 6) Thank You. Completely random? Somehow, I think there is a connection...It's not the lyrics of the songs that struck me so much as the titles...Trying not to cry as I write this. -- jsrice [Tim Woolley Racing]

 

IT'S A FUCKING HORSE. A HORSE YOU FOOLS. YOU NAME YOUR CHILD BARBARO...HE DESERVES THE BEATINGS HE WILL RECEIVE. FUCK!

Ahem...sorry. I hate these people.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I can understand that. In fact, my first name is Seabiscuit.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Barbaro sounds like a decent name, though. The male form of Barbara.