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BARBARO: THE TRAGIC LOSS OF A KENTUCKY DERBY CHAMPION

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American racehorse Barbaro was bred and campaigned by husband-and-wife duo Gretchen and Roy Jackson.

A Kentucky-bred son of thoroughbred stallion Dynaformer, Barbaro debuted on grass in October 2005, making a winning start under jockey Jose Caraballo. Trained by Michael Matz, he would prevail in the same fashion next time out — drawing off.

Raced again on New Year’s Day of his sophomore campaign, Barbaro scored handily in a graded stakes contest under new rider Edgar Prado. Undefeated, he would take on dirt for the first time in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes. Barbaro kept his perfect record intact…

Up next was victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby over Sharp Humor.

Barbaro headed to the 132nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs with an unblemished record. Few horses dominate the Run for the Roses as he did on that day in 2006, winning by six and a half lengths - the widest winning margin since Assault in 1946. Charging to the lead at the quarter-pole race caller Tom Durkin exclaimed "Barbaro turns it on!"

Two weeks later with whispers of the Triple Crown at full roar, Barbaro shattered a leg in the Preakness.

The heroic struggle that followed created a swell of support, the Jacksons treasuring get-well cards, and gifts of apples, carrots and holy water. Tragically, Barbaro was euthanized on 29 January 2007, after developing laminitis.

His ashes are buried at beneath the Twin Spires, the site of his greatest victory, where a bronze statue of stands atop his remains.

A special NBC Sports documentary titled 'Barbaro - A Nation's Horse' was released in 2007. Authors Pamela K Brodowsky and Tom Philbi published 'Barbaro: A Nation's Love Story' the same year.

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Kentucky Derby winners (2019 - 1985):

Country House
Justify
Always Dreaming
Nyquist
American Pharoah
California Chrome
Orb
I'll Have Another
Animal Kingdom
Super Saver
Mine That Bird
Big Brown
Street Sense
Barbaro
Giacomo
Smarty Jones
Funny Cide
War Emblem
Monarchos
Fusaichi Pegasus
Charismatic
Real Quiet
Silver Charm
Grindstone
Thunder Gulch
Go for Gin
Sea Hero
Lil E. Tee
Strike the Gold
Unbridled
Sunday Silence
Winning Colors
Alysheba
Ferdinand
Spend a Buck

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Category
Horse Racing
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