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. 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 underwent five further operations, and his prognosis varied during an exceptionally long stay in the Equine Intensive Care Unit at the New Bolton Center. While his right hind leg eventually healed, a final risky procedure on it proved futile because the colt soon developed further laminitis in both front legs. His veterinarians and owners concluded that he could not be saved, and Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007.
He was a third-generation descendant of Mr. Prospector, and as such Barbaro was related to many recent Triple Crown hopefuls including Big Brown, Eight Belles, Afleet Alex, Smarty Jones, Funny Cide and Fusaichi Pegasus.
Barbaro was a champion and loved by all. His tragic cicumstances and the gallant months after his injury that he endured before his passing were watched and felt by so many. The subsequent tragedy and horrific death of another Derby great and outstanding thoroughbred, Eight Belles, has brought the industry of horse racing under much needed scrutiny and has across the boards created much needed changes in a business that has been less than humane and more than abominable. Good night, sweet champions. You have forever changed the so called "sport of kings". "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated". Mahatma Gandhi
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