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Kentucky Derby Winner Barbaro Loses Long Struggle After Injury
Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby last May by 6 1/2 lengths, the widest margin of victory since 1946.
(AP)
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"Barbaro was an icon to the racing industry that transcended racing to the general public," said Scott Palmer, a surgeon at the New Jersey Equine Clinic. "The opportunities afforded that horse were as heroic and modern as any human athlete would be afforded. Barbaro showed how much racing cares for its horses and veterinarians care for theirs. He had a warrior spirit to survive and we wanted to give him every opportunity to do that. The motives of the Jacksons were very pure. The process had integrity to it. We weren't just tilting at windmills."
Richardson, wearing hospital scrubs, said he performed a long, complicated surgery on another horse in the hours after euthanizing Barbaro, something that helped keep his mind occupied for a while.
The decision, he said, was not difficult to make.
"The Jacksons and I have had a close relationship for a long time," he said. "We all went through this knowing a lot of bad things could happen and this day could come. But I am comfortable we made the right decision."
Richardson said he learned a lot through Barbaro's ordeal.
"If another horse came in tomorrow with the same fractures, I think I'd have a better chance to save his life," he said. "I know I made mistakes. You expect to get better at what you do."
In mid-December, Richardson and the Jacksons speculated that Barbaro might soon be well enough to relocate to a farm, possibly in Kentucky. Talk turned to the possibility of a breeding career, but just as quickly the colt's damaged left hoof took another bad turn and his condition worsened.
Gretchen Jackson was asked to express her feelings and she didn't hesitate: "It's very positive. I have very positive thoughts. It was the best of times for us. We were lucky to have had a horse like him."
