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The famous horse got eight months of care

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 30, 2007

Why was Barbaro famous?

The 4-year-old Kentucky Derby winner earned more than $2.3-million in six starts, never beaten in a race he completed. Trainer Michael Matz and Edgar Prado, Barbaro's jockey, believed he would become the first Triple Crown winner - sweeping the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes - since 1978. He was valued at $25-million. Instead, his right hind leg shattered at the Preakness, and no one knows how good he might have become.

What was done to save him?

In more than 8 months, the colt underwent nearly two dozen surgeries and other procedures. Barbaro spent time in a sling to ease pressure on his legs, had pins inserted and was fitted at the end with an external brace - extraordinary measures for injuries most horses never survive. Ailments included laminitis in the left rear hoof, an abscess in the right rear hoof, as well as new laminitis in both front feet. He had a rough July, a good December, then faced January setbacks culminating in risky surgery over the weekend.

How much did it cost?

Money was never a consideration, said Barbaro's veterinary surgeon, Dr. Dean Richardson. His owners, Gretchen and Roy Jackson, "would have paid whatever it took because they loved this horse." It was doable because Roy Jackson's grandfather was the treasurer of Standard Oil. They would only say they spent tens of thousands on his care. The couple, who own about 70 racehorses, broodmares and yearlings, have been in the horse business for 30 years, but never had a horse like Barbaro. They did have help, including $1.2-million raised since early June for the Barbaro Fund.

Why was he euthanized?

After a bad night Sunday, Richardson and the Jacksons made the decision. "We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain," Roy Jackson said. Barbaro was given a heavy dose of a tranquilizer and an overdose of an anesthetic at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Will there be a Barbaro Jr.?

It appears not. It's illegal to use artificial insemination to breed racing thoroughbreds, and Barbaro's veterinarian said this month he hadn't even checked to see if the colt was fertile. The attempt to save him was never motivated by the thought he might have a lucrative stud career; even repaired, his injured leg probably never would have been strong enough. He will, however, have a full brother. The foal is expected in early spring.

Sources: Associated Press, Bloomberg News, Baltimore Sun, Los Angeles Times, Oregonian, Philadelphia Daily News, McClatchy-Tribune Newspapers

[Last modified January 30, 2007, 00:54:04]