Additional Coverage:
- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro shattered leg in Preakness Stakes tragedy 20 years ago (themirror.com)
Twenty years ago this week, the horse racing world witnessed one of its most tragic moments live on national television. On May 20, 2006, Barbaro, the undefeated Kentucky Derby champion, suffered a devastating injury in the opening moments of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore-an injury that ended his racing career forever.
Barbaro had entered the Preakness as the overwhelming favorite, having captured the public’s imagination with an impressive six-and-a-half-length victory in the Kentucky Derby just two weeks prior. His win was the largest margin since the 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault, sparking excitement and hope for a potential Triple Crown, a feat unseen since Affirmed in 1978.
However, the race began with a false start as Barbaro broke from the gate prematurely, injuring his head against the metal door. Trainer Michael Matz allowed him to be reloaded and compete, a decision that would weigh heavily on all involved. Mere moments after the official start, Barbaro shattered his right hind leg in over 20 places, including breaks to the cannon bone, sesamoid bone, and long pastern bone, along with a dislocated fetlock joint and a dangling foot.
Jockey Edgar Prado acted quickly, pulling Barbaro up and supporting him until track personnel arrived. Bernardini went on to win that day’s Preakness, while Barbaro was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The following day, Dr. Dean Richardson, an equine surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, performed a five-hour operation to stabilize the leg with a steel plate and 27 screws.
Despite the complexity, Barbaro’s chance of survival was estimated at 50-50.
In the months that followed, Barbaro showed remarkable improvement. By August, his fractured leg had nearly fused, and he was able to graze outside.
By November, his cast was permanently removed. Yet, in July, a cruel complication arose: laminitis, a painful hoof disease, took hold in his left rear hoof, necessitating the removal of most of the hoof wall.
The condition eventually spread to both front hooves, making it impossible to manage.
On January 29, 2007, Barbaro’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize the champion at just three years old.
The public response was extraordinary. Thousands sent get-well cards, banners, holy water, and tokens of support to New Bolton Center.
A digital fan community formed, posting daily updates and raising approximately $1.5 million to support horse rescue and rehabilitation efforts. The Barbaro Fund, established by the Jacksons, has since contributed over $2.3 million toward laminitis research at seven universities, ensuring Barbaro’s legacy continues to impact the sport he so dramatically influenced.