The fact that you can hear them screaming "he's broken his leg" in the background while the newscasters say "hopefully he'll be okay" is absolutely heart-breaking. Barbaro had the heart of an absolute champion. He cruuuuuised in the Kentucky Derby. To have this happen to such a supreme athlete is horrific.
Poor Barbaro. I remember watching this live, and to this day it makes me cry. He was a fantastic horse, and you could tell that he loved to race. Hell, the poor thing wanted to keep running even after he was injured! It's a bit comforting that the jockey pulled him up quickly and that the owners and vets did everything they possibly could have done to make him comfortable and try to get him better. I'll never forget the day when I heard he had died...a sad day for anyone who loves horses.
So true, cory. ESPN used to have a half-hour horse racing program, featuring the results of the previous week's races. When Barbaro was "recuperating," they frequently showed him. Whenever he was led out with his heavily bandaged leg, I had to look away so as not to see him put that injured leg down. Horses are not mature until they are four years old, but who can afford to keep them until then to start racing? They have to start earning their oats when they are two and still babies. I am surprised that more of them don't break down.
Heartbreaking. But Barbaro’s legacy may, in the long run, help more horses than his winning the Triple Crown could have done. His owners fought to save him though they knew his racing career was over. This has led to advancements in equine medicine, and new developments in treating injuries like Barbaro’s, which can someday lead to better outcomes for other injured horses. Barbaro’s lead vet, Dr. Richardson, says he learned tremendously from his experience with Barbaro, and he now believes he could save other horses with Barbaro’s same injury today. Also, more racetracks are converting from dirt to synthetic material, which have reduced the risk of fatal injuries to horses. Finally, Barbaro’s owners have become leaders in the fight to ban slaughtering retired racehorses. All of this is very encouraging, something I think Barbaro would be pleased with :-)
better prevent bone breaking issues and don't race with such a young horses!!! The bones are not ready at this ages for this hard work.. Everyone know a puppy is not allowed to run next to a bike before they are 1 years old... why people don't think about the horses HOPE BARBARO will change future for other to young horses !
Before Barbaro, Ruffian was the one who also launched an effort into equine medicine and showed that the horses are sometimes pushed too much. Because of her injury, Barbaro woke up from his surgery in a pool of water. She's considered to be one of the greatest race horses in history, even so much so that Secretariat's rider claimed she might even be better! However, she broke her leg during a match off with Foolish Pleasure. She got surgery but when she woke up, she was thrashing around and was described as if she was still running mid-race and ended up breaking a second leg. At that point, she was euthanized.
If a horse won me alot of money and winning the Kentucky derby and made me famous I would have tried to save him too. He would have been a special horse
Edgar Prado helped save Barbaro from being hurt anymore and possibly shot. Thank you Edgar Prado. I'll always miss Barbaro!!! A true fighting champion. I balled my eyes out. Prayed for months for Barbaro to heal. Laminitus is horrible!!!
Barbaro was a local horse and every night on the news we would get updates on his brave battle. It was amazing how people across our country rallied around Barbaro and sent cards and even apples. Barbaro was a huge loss to us all as he touched our lives so profoundly.
my old neighbors mom was a vet at the clinic they tried to save him at. She knew i loved horses and she watched the race with me. i bet 70 dollars- my whole kindergarten allowance at the time- on ihm. i loved him. i even made a picture of me and him jumping over a huge cheesburger (i was 5, give me a break). i miss him so much! i cried so hard when i found out!
I cried for months after he got hurt. I remember this day all to well. He has four brothers now.. His oldest brother, Nicanor, was retired this year. Lentenor just won the Kitten's Joy Stakes, Margano placed second in the Capital City Stakes, and then his unnamed yearling brother will begin training soon. Sadly, Barbaro's father passed away this year on Apritl 29th, which was Barbaro's birthday.
I remember watching this. It definitely gave me a heavy heart and still does. I had him winning the TC that year. But when he broke out, I knew something was wrong. They should have scratched him. R.I.P big fella. We miss you and run free.
He must have hurt his leg when the outrider cut him off after he broke through the gate before the start..too bad they didn't scratch...cause now we could have little Barbaros running on all the racetracks..dammit
This is such a shame. I actually had the opportunity to ask Edgar Prado if he thought Barbaro would have won the triple crown. Without hesitation, he said, "No Question." He was clearly a phenomenal horse and it's so sad to see him get hurt like this. One of my all time favorite race horses.
I never saw a horse like Barbaro ,he was still a different horse . When he won the Derby I was sure he would win the Triple Crown . But then he broke down in the Preakness ... he was galopping on three legs and hold up his injured leg . As he came out of the field and become slower and slower everyone know he has broken his right hind leg . In this few seconds all the dreams become distroyed . When he was put into sleep 8 month later I understand he wasn´t still a horse ,he was an angel. RIP
I wish people cared about their TBs as much as this man loved Barb. He didn't waste one second to run to his horses side when he saw something was up. R.I.P. Barbaro.
I remember my family sat down to watch the Preakness, we were huge fans of Barbaro going in this race. When I saw him break down, I just kept on saying: "Please don't let his leg be broken." When I heard the news that night on how bad it was, I just went to my dad in shock and told him. We were both devastated and in tears. We were praying he'd make it and it hit me hard that he was put to sleep, my mom told me on the phone when I was at college. It was a week after a vet said he was doing well.
I love Edgar Prado he is such a loving person. I always talk to him down at Gulfstream. He's so kind and caring. He isn't savage like some of the people in the racing industry. He cares about the animals and puts them first.
I remember watching this happen and my mom and I yelling at the tv they shouldn't have raced him if they knew he was tender in the leg. My family has owned many horses and its always a horrible feeling knowing your horse has been injured. It feels like you are losing a family member. RIP Barbaro.
Hm. He was being weird all day it seems. Usually that happens before injury/infection. Or just the beginning stages only to be visible afterwards. The agitation before the start with him in the starting gate speaks to something not being quite right.
I know this is from 7 years ago. But I had been thinking the same thing that day. In fact when he broke from the gate prior to the official start. I was screaming "Don't send him off" "Don't put him back in the gate" "Scratch him" Guy standing in the group next to us when Barbaro broke down stared at me for a bit, then asked how I "knew" something bad was coming.
It’s 2023 and ever so often I think of Barbaro and I end up watching his last race. I remember watching this live and my heart still skips a beat and a tear stills forms in my eyes when the commentators voice starts cracking for the duration of this race. You can absolutely tell that he was concerned. I, like many others, believed that Barbaro would win the Triple Crown that year. But I guess God needed him for his Army more. RIP Barbaro.
Meranda? If you read "My Guy Barbaro" it tells so much different. Plus if you had ever met Edgar the "stupid Jockey" you''ll know he is as humble and noble as they come.
I went to Frayser elementary which is literally around the corner from Churchill Downs and I remember when Barbaro injured his leg , our school had this huge paper where we all wrote our names and a little note to Barbaro. We even got to go down to Churchill downs for a field trip (we walked to Churchill Downs from our school lol) when they unveiled the statue they made for Barbaro. It was a really cool experience that I'll never forget
That horse did not want to race that day. He was telling them something, but unfortunately was forced to race and sadly injured his leg that led to his death.
Edgar is amazing! my favorite jockey of all time! most jockeys just ride for the money but Edgar loved Barbaro just like we loved Barbaro! Edgar GOD BLESS YOU HEART Race safe and race with your heart :)
@toastedpbj You are completely right. When it comes to the owners, half of them do not give a crap about their horses but every once in a while, you see owners like Barbaro's that really do care. Usually, a horse is injured on the track and the owners don't move as fast as Barbaro's did. His jockey also cared a lot. In a book he wrote about the horse, he described the horse so well and it's really hard to find a bond like that between horse and jockey.
Thy should have never put him in that race when he broke through the first time, if you noticed he was pointing his leg as if he was resting it and he did not want to load the second time, I believe it was a fracture to begin with and when he took the bad step in the race his hock and cannon none shattered his owners shoulda scratched him to begin with you never race a horse that breaks through the gate if they woulda scratched him there would be a chance he could be alive to day but when they did the surgery tendinitis caught up with him on the bad leg and spread through his feet, I'm glad they put him down so he didn't have to suffer anymore
I agree that they should have scratched him when he had the false start. His owners let their greed and hope for a triple crown winner over rule their judgement. and he actually got laminitist not tendinitis.
Dallas6101 I don't believe the Jacksons were greedy at all. They loved Barbaro. He wasn't just a meal ticket to them. If he had other owners then the Jackson's I may be inclined to agree. Coming out of the gate for the Derby wasn't clean if you view the instant replay. It was an oversight on everyone's part but to say the Jackson's are greedy, unless you have proof of that, is crap.
BigCJFan Theres a big difference from getting a bad start and breaking prematurely. It takes a lot of force for a horse to force open the starting gate. you are right that they weren't necessarily greedy, but I truly feel that if they really loved him they would have scratched him. Things can go wrong so fast with horses. but that's just my opinion and I'm entitled to it as are you to your own opinion.
Dallas6101 I have respect for your opinion I agree that he probably should have been scratched but I truly do not believe the Jackson's didn't love him. :)
God Bless poor Barbaro :( at 1st I never watched the race the full way through until about a year later. I'm glad they at least tried to save him. He made a lot of progress in his healing but then developed Laminitis. Lam isn't caused on the track either! His owners payed thousands, maybe millions of dollars in his recovery not because he was a money maker, but they loved him. Geeze, I loved him too! we all did. Barbaro is one of the reasons I love horse racing today. He inspired my passion
I'm mixed on my views of horse racing. I do think that a lot of the owners of the horses that compete do not really care about the horses well-being. However, I believe there are also many who do. Just like some people enjoy the thrill of running and racing, I'm sure there are horses that do, too. Also, Bibel, the owners were not trying to profit from Barbaro's injury/death. They really loved him and just wanted him to be okay, regardless of if he could race again or even breed.
I realize this is "just" a horse and that there are human beings that suffer everyday, but this is one of the hardest things I've ever watched. When you see the poor thing lifting it's leg like he does when they are tending to him...To the naysayers, by and large the owners love these horses. I would imagine that is the worst day they ever had at a race track and I'm sure it was devastating to see it as it happened.
Wow the way Bárbaro picks up his hurt leg is just heartbreaking ... almost like if he knows and tries to deal with it like if he knows how to take care of it is just fucking hard to see ...
I was driving in January 2007 when the guy on the radio said, "Sad news from the racing world". I had to pull over. I had been sure he was going to somehow pull through. RIP Barbaro. Run free.
It still astounds me that these poor majestic animals are pushed to the limit by the time they're 2 years old, while their bones are still developing. It's no wonder at all that so many of the great racehorses have suffered catastrophic injuries and death on the track. Most break down before they ever start in their first race, and it's all down to greed. Pitiful.
Having ridden for nine years, this could've happened to any horse at any age, in any discipline of riding. It's unfortunate but like they said, all it takes is one bad step, Just like in humans, but unfortunately, horses legs are vital to their survival and quality of life. It was freak accident. Not everyone in the racing industry is bad. A vast majority of race horses go onto loving homes and live long, healthy lives.
Dawn Lisowski There are factors other than just young age contributing to breakdowns. Long-time racing fan/writer Bill Nack is convinced breakdowns accelerated in the 1970's. Breeding practices contribute to -- the breeding of certain popular lines with bad bone, the increase in commercial breeders who breed for looks and precocious speed in order to sell young horses on the market, instead of racing them themselves (in which case durability would be more valued). The unwillingness to cull fast-but-fragile individuals from the breeding pool (e.g., Ruffian's sire Reviewer, who had 3 fractures in his racing career). The use of Phenylbutazone (Bute) and steroids to mask pain. Breakdowns seem to be somewhat (or much?) less common in Europe, where races are run on turf and probably more importantly, drugs are much more regulated. Having had friends who had a small string of racers, some of them homebred, I would disagree that "most" horses break down before ever racing -- or ever break down at all, though I agree it is far too frequent an occurrence.(Note: I am not counting minor injuries as breakdowns.) Many simply don't cut it as racehorses.... My friends must have had about 15 racers over the years. They never lost a horse to injury, but they lost 3 horses to various infections (two were retired), plus a foal who was stillborn. Two other racers they bred and sold - both ended up as hunters - subsequently died relatively young of colic. Ironically, my friends' much-loved pleasure horse, a sweet-tempered homebred mare they've kept after racing her, has had more frequent/more serious injuries on the farm than she ever did on the track. But I admit, that's anecdotal, one horse out of thousands, as is my friends' bad luck with infectious disease. Still....plenty of horses get themselves killed out in the field (e.g., Zenyatta's last foal).
I agree completely. Barbaro "shattered" that leg. Without a great jockey he would have never had a chance. He would have to have been put down on the track. Eight Bells being put down on the track was one of the worst things I've ever seen. Getting him slowed and to a complete stop so quickly gave Barbaro a shot. We miss you boy, you were all heart. :( :(
Edgar prado helped javier castellano one time when javi was about to fall he lost his reins and prado pushed them up with the whip so javi can grab them
Do a search on TH-cam for "Edgar Prado Helps Another Jockey During Race." I've read/heard. btw, that Prado in addition to being a great jockey is an admirable human being from multiple sources -- including but not limited to the header on that particular vid, and from friends for whom Prado rode years ago.
+marysueeasteregg prado is amazing chris antley i think was charismatics jockeys name was amazing at saving horses legs charimatic want the 1st he did that to
I just read the book that Edgar Prado(Barbaro's jockie) wrote. If you loved this horse as much as I did, you should read this book! It is super emotional but it give a view into this jockie and this horse!
I will always believe that Barbaro injured himself when he had the false start. Prado pulled up on Barbaro really hard when the false start happened. I also believe that Barbaro would have won the Triple Crown had he not gotten injured. NOBODY ever talks about the false start possibly causing Barbaro's injury.
Ruffian woke up groggy after the surgery on her leg and kept trying to run and broke another leg. At New Bolton Center where they operated on Barbaro's leg, after the surgery they put Barbaro in a big harness and lowered him into a rig in a small swimming pool. When Barbaro woke up after his surgery he was in the rig in the water, so if he did try to run or thrash around he would not be injured further.
People loved this horse, and tried to save him. He was a professional athlete, and was treated as such. If this is cruelty, than show me kindnesss. THe tragedy here is he died so young, and suffered before his death. There is no beautiful way the living can leave this world when they go so young.
i have to say this...the way they handled Barbaro after he broke his leg was a lot better than how the handlers dealt with Ruffian when she broke down. she was practically uncontrollable when she wanted to keep running. Barbaro calmed down while being handled and stood still (except for his broken leg) when the ambulance got there. other than advance in technology (surgery and recovery) this is quite a contrast. Barbaro was brave until the end...... RIP Barbaro!
Even if barbaro would have survived he would still never be the same all I can imagine is barbaro before he was hurt wearing the blanket of roses 🌹 after he won the triple crown this is a tragic accident that haunts many people he had just the sprit that could make you love and feel at peace it is the best feeling
I know how it feels I had a jumping accident my horse jumped clean then stepped wrong on his front leg but we did the surgery now he’s well recovered and jumps once again
The owners loved Balbaro. They did everything to help medically and would not have run that horse injured. These owners want to win but they love their horses. I got to ride on a retired race horse. She loved to run. It was not about gambling for this family. They did everything possible.
@LIGHTNINGB0BBY THANK YOU!!!!! This horse NEVER should have even been considered after crashing the gate that hard. He nearly collapsed THEN! WHYYYYY!?
After all these years, it's still heart wrenching to see this video. I remember hearing the announcement that Barbaro was gone. I cried so hard that day. To this day, I still cry just as hard. He was amazing. 😭
@mjcamck Very well stated. Barbaro was CHAMPION. He lived as a champion, and he died as a champion. His name will always be on the Kentucky Derby winners list. He died doing what he loved to do, and his legacy will live forever.
@TheProfessorOfLife Then how do you explain his clean break from the starting box? If he was injured prior to that, surely you would have seen it before the bad step, correct? It's possible that it increased the odds of it happening, but it wasn't the sole contributor.
@shonole I have a beautiful Edgar Prado signed and framed photo of him riding Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby, and it proudly hangs on the wall in my "man cave", along with all of my other Kentucky Derby memorabilia. I've actually been researching a book I hope to begin writing soon about American thoroughbred horse racing.......the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I was just thinking of this recently & how much he was talked about in the state for that entire year, i still feel that false start had some involvement in some sort of omen
It was a sad day. They tried to save him. But he developed other complicated problems. And ultimately he was put down. These injury's happen. And it hurts everyone involved. No one wants their horses to be hurt like this. And the trainers, grooms, and vet staff all try to keep the horses healthy and injury free. Most of the people involved love the horses and will do anything for them. But there are a few people who only care for the money and don't care for the horses correctly. It's sad when any horse is hurt. More safe guards need to be developed and rules enforced so we can watch these beautiful creatures run.
The fact that you can hear them screaming "he's broken his leg" in the background while the newscasters say "hopefully he'll be okay" is absolutely heart-breaking. Barbaro had the heart of an absolute champion. He cruuuuuised in the Kentucky Derby. To have this happen to such a supreme athlete is horrific.
Remind you of Bo Jackson
I met Edgar Prado this past Saturday. He was so kind and has such a great heart. I know he did his best to help Barbaro.
Edgar is as good as it gets in horse racing. Such a good jockey and, more importantly, a really good person.
Poor Barbaro. I remember watching this live, and to this day it makes me cry. He was a fantastic horse, and you could tell that he loved to race. Hell, the poor thing wanted to keep running even after he was injured! It's a bit comforting that the jockey pulled him up quickly and that the owners and vets did everything they possibly could have done to make him comfortable and try to get him better. I'll never forget the day when I heard he had died...a sad day for anyone who loves horses.
EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Barbaro lifts up his injured leg in this video, I cringe. I can't even begin to imagine the pain Barbaro must've been feeling.
storyofcory yes but intelligent enough to know not to run barbaro understood he was going to be helped
Yes but he had the heart of a champion he never gave up im reading a book about him
So true, cory. ESPN used to have a half-hour horse racing program, featuring the results of the previous week's races. When Barbaro was "recuperating," they frequently showed him. Whenever he was led out with his heavily bandaged leg, I had to look away so as not to see him put that injured leg down. Horses are not mature until they are four years old, but who can afford to keep them until then to start racing? They have to start earning their oats when they are two and still babies. I am surprised that more of them don't break down.
Lot of pain in the batter's wallet
10 years later still tough to watch
2021 ...still hard to watch
Heartbreaking. But Barbaro’s legacy may, in the long run, help more horses than his winning the Triple Crown could have done. His owners fought to save him though they knew his racing career was over. This has led to advancements in equine medicine, and new developments in treating injuries like Barbaro’s, which can someday lead to better outcomes for other injured horses. Barbaro’s lead vet, Dr. Richardson, says he learned tremendously from his experience with Barbaro, and he now believes he could save other horses with Barbaro’s same injury today. Also, more racetracks are converting from dirt to synthetic material, which have reduced the risk of fatal injuries to horses. Finally, Barbaro’s owners have become leaders in the fight to ban slaughtering retired racehorses. All of this is very encouraging, something I think Barbaro would be pleased with :-)
Dara Harvey Barbaro didn’t die in vain. Through him equine vets learned a lot.
better prevent bone breaking issues and don't race with such a young horses!!!
The bones are not ready at this ages for this hard work.. Everyone know a puppy is not allowed to run next to a bike before they are 1 years old... why people don't think about the horses HOPE BARBARO will change future for other to young horses !
Before Barbaro, Ruffian was the one who also launched an effort into equine medicine and showed that the horses are sometimes pushed too much. Because of her injury, Barbaro woke up from his surgery in a pool of water. She's considered to be one of the greatest race horses in history, even so much so that Secretariat's rider claimed she might even be better! However, she broke her leg during a match off with Foolish Pleasure. She got surgery but when she woke up, she was thrashing around and was described as if she was still running mid-race and ended up breaking a second leg. At that point, she was euthanized.
If a horse won me alot of money and winning the Kentucky derby and made me famous I would have tried to save him too. He would have been a special horse
13 years later, and I still cry and have a hard time watching this. God Bless you Barbaro.
This still gets to me...and hearing the crowd after his breakdown. Just makes me tear up.
If Edgar hadn't pulled him up, he would have kept running.... pure heart.
Edgar Prado helped save Barbaro from being hurt anymore and possibly shot. Thank you Edgar Prado. I'll always miss Barbaro!!! A true fighting champion. I balled my eyes out. Prayed for months for Barbaro to heal. Laminitus is horrible!!!
Thank you to Michael Matz and the Jackson's.
Barbaro was a local horse and every night on the news we would get updates on his brave battle. It was amazing how people across our country rallied around Barbaro and sent cards and even apples. Barbaro was a huge loss to us all as he touched our lives so profoundly.
I cried when I watched this, who knew I'd cry over a horse I've never even met personally but in my heart I feel like I've known him for years.
my old neighbors mom was a vet at the clinic they tried to save him at. She knew i loved horses and she watched the race with me. i bet 70 dollars- my whole kindergarten allowance at the time- on ihm. i loved him. i even made a picture of me and him jumping over a huge cheesburger (i was 5, give me a break). i miss him so much! i cried so hard when i found out!
I cried for months after he got hurt. I remember this day all to well. He has four brothers now.. His oldest brother, Nicanor, was retired this year. Lentenor just won the Kitten's Joy Stakes, Margano placed second in the Capital City Stakes, and then his unnamed yearling brother will begin training soon. Sadly, Barbaro's father passed away this year on Apritl 29th, which was Barbaro's birthday.
Aww Thanks for letting us know..
As soon as I hear "Barbaro is being pulled up!" my stomach just sinks. Going on 14 years later, this is heart-wrenching to watch.
I remember watching this. It definitely gave me a heavy heart and still does. I had him winning the TC that year. But when he broke out, I knew something was wrong. They should have scratched him.
R.I.P big fella. We miss you and run free.
drumma4lyfe06 to the idiots who are careless to mention edgar is not a vet I agree he should of been removed from the race however
He must have hurt his leg when the outrider cut him off after he broke through the gate before the start..too bad they didn't scratch...cause now we could have little Barbaros running on all the racetracks..dammit
This still breaks my heart. What a great horse, and he put up such an amazing fight to try to overcome the injury.
RIP Barbaro
Even though he was hurt whats even more loving bout him is he kept giving it his all. I love U BARBARO!!!
Barbaro isnt "just" a horse. he was a friend and national treasure
what lmaoooo
@@td1158 you're a dick
This is such a shame. I actually had the opportunity to ask Edgar Prado if he thought Barbaro would have won the triple crown. Without hesitation, he said, "No Question." He was clearly a phenomenal horse and it's so sad to see him get hurt like this. One of my all time favorite race horses.
I never saw a horse like Barbaro ,he was still a different horse . When he won the Derby I was sure he would win the Triple Crown . But then he broke down in the Preakness ... he was galopping on three legs and hold up his injured leg . As he came out of the field and become slower and slower everyone know he has broken his right hind leg . In this few seconds all the dreams become distroyed . When he was put into sleep 8 month later I understand he wasn´t still a horse ,he was an angel. RIP
I wish people cared about their TBs as much as this man loved Barb. He didn't waste one second to run to his horses side when he saw something was up. R.I.P. Barbaro.
Amen
Sad to see such a beautiful horse go at such a young age. RIP Barbaro.
A time I'll NEVER forget. It just was devastating to such a BEAUTIFUL and amazing baby.
I remember my family sat down to watch the Preakness, we were huge fans of Barbaro going in this race. When I saw him break down, I just kept on saying: "Please don't let his leg be broken." When I heard the news that night on how bad it was, I just went to my dad in shock and told him. We were both devastated and in tears. We were praying he'd make it and it hit me hard that he was put to sleep, my mom told me on the phone when I was at college. It was a week after a vet said he was doing well.
I cryed when I saw this race a couple years ago, and I still cry when I see it.
"Barbaro is being pulled off!!". Very chilling words!!
@Jeff Hietala
The term is "pulled up." It's very similar to the action of pulling the reins back. It's wat the rider does to slow/stop the horse.
I love Edgar Prado he is such a loving person. I always talk to him down at Gulfstream. He's so kind and caring. He isn't savage like some of the people in the racing industry. He cares about the animals and puts them first.
I remember watching this happen and my mom and I yelling at the tv they shouldn't have raced him if they knew he was tender in the leg. My family has owned many horses and its always a horrible feeling knowing your horse has been injured. It feels like you are losing a family member. RIP Barbaro.
This still hurts to think about. Even harder to watch. :( Rest in peace, buddy.
Hm. He was being weird all day it seems. Usually that happens before injury/infection. Or just the beginning stages only to be visible afterwards. The agitation before the start with him in the starting gate speaks to something not being quite right.
I know this is from 7 years ago. But I had been thinking the same thing that day. In fact when he broke from the gate prior to the official start. I was screaming "Don't send him off" "Don't put him back in the gate" "Scratch him" Guy standing in the group next to us when Barbaro broke down stared at me for a bit, then asked how I "knew" something bad was coming.
It’s 2023 and ever so often I think of Barbaro and I end up watching his last race. I remember watching this live and my heart still skips a beat and a tear stills forms in my eyes when the commentators voice starts cracking for the duration of this race. You can absolutely tell that he was concerned. I, like many others, believed that Barbaro would win the Triple Crown that year. But I guess God needed him for his Army more. RIP Barbaro.
my eyes welled up watching this today... still tugs my heart.
Meranda? If you read "My Guy Barbaro" it tells so much different. Plus if you had ever met Edgar the "stupid Jockey" you''ll know he is as humble and noble as they come.
Agreed. "stupid jockey"? Really? About Edgar?! That man is as good as it gets. He did everything he could to save Barbaro,
I have watched this so many times and it still makes me so sad
I went to Frayser elementary which is literally around the corner from Churchill Downs and I remember when Barbaro injured his leg , our school had this huge paper where we all wrote our names and a little note to Barbaro. We even got to go down to Churchill downs for a field trip (we walked to Churchill Downs from our school lol) when they unveiled the statue they made for Barbaro. It was a really cool experience that I'll never forget
That horse did not want to race that day. He was telling them something, but unfortunately was forced to race and sadly injured his leg that led to his death.
I cried when I saw this live on tv. Everytime I watch it I get shivers when he starts getting pulled up. R.I.P Barbaro
Watched his recovery and was so sad when they decided to put him down. What an amazing horse. Tried so hard but it wasn't good enough 😞 RIP barbaro 💕
Edgar is amazing! my favorite jockey of all time! most jockeys just ride for the money but Edgar loved Barbaro just like we loved Barbaro! Edgar GOD BLESS YOU HEART Race safe and race with your heart :)
@toastedpbj You are completely right. When it comes to the owners, half of them do not give a crap about their horses but every once in a while, you see owners like Barbaro's that really do care. Usually, a horse is injured on the track and the owners don't move as fast as Barbaro's did.
His jockey also cared a lot. In a book he wrote about the horse, he described the horse so well and it's really hard to find a bond like that between horse and jockey.
Thy should have never put him in that race when he broke through the first time, if you noticed he was pointing his leg as if he was resting it and he did not want to load the second time, I believe it was a fracture to begin with and when he took the bad step in the race his hock and cannon none shattered his owners shoulda scratched him to begin with you never race a horse that breaks through the gate if they woulda scratched him there would be a chance he could be alive to day but when they did the surgery tendinitis caught up with him on the bad leg and spread through his feet, I'm glad they put him down so he didn't have to suffer anymore
I agree that they should have scratched him when he had the false start. His owners let their greed and hope for a triple crown winner over rule their judgement. and he actually got laminitist not tendinitis.
Dallas6101
I don't believe the Jacksons were greedy at all. They loved Barbaro. He wasn't just a meal ticket to them. If he had other owners then the Jackson's I may be inclined to agree. Coming out of the gate for the Derby wasn't clean if you view the instant replay. It was an oversight on everyone's part but to say the Jackson's are greedy, unless you have proof of that, is crap.
BigCJFan Theres a big difference from getting a bad start and breaking prematurely. It takes a lot of force for a horse to force open the starting gate. you are right that they weren't necessarily greedy, but I truly feel that if they really loved him they would have scratched him. Things can go wrong so fast with horses. but that's just my opinion and I'm entitled to it as are you to your own opinion.
Dallas6101
I have respect for your opinion I agree that he probably should have been scratched but I truly do not believe the Jackson's didn't love him. :)
*****
You're clearly a very rude person and I can respect a difference in opinion but I won't tolerate your big mouth belittling me. Show some respect
Barbaro was and still is my favorite race horse. he always will be. R.I.P.
God Bless poor Barbaro :( at 1st I never watched the race the full way through until about a year later. I'm glad they at least tried to save him. He made a lot of progress in his healing but then developed Laminitis. Lam isn't caused on the track either! His owners payed thousands, maybe millions of dollars in his recovery not because he was a money maker, but they loved him. Geeze, I loved him too! we all did. Barbaro is one of the reasons I love horse racing today. He inspired my passion
i remember when this happened. it happened so fast. one day he was here running... next day, gone
I'm mixed on my views of horse racing. I do think that a lot of the owners of the horses that compete do not really care about the horses well-being. However, I believe there are also many who do. Just like some people enjoy the thrill of running and racing, I'm sure there are horses that do, too.
Also, Bibel, the owners were not trying to profit from Barbaro's injury/death. They really loved him and just wanted him to be okay, regardless of if he could race again or even breed.
:'(... he live in our hearts...
I remember watching this when I was little. Then I bought the Breyer's model of Barbaro soon after
This made me cry :"(
I realize this is "just" a horse and that there are human beings that suffer everyday, but this is one of the hardest things I've ever watched. When you see the poor thing lifting it's leg like he does when they are tending to him...To the naysayers, by and large the owners love these horses. I would imagine that is the worst day they ever had at a race track and I'm sure it was devastating to see it as it happened.
Almost 14 years ago now...RIP
Aww poor Barbaro that looks so painful, rip we love you, you were an amazing race horse
Wow the way Bárbaro picks up his hurt leg is just heartbreaking ... almost like if he knows and tries to deal with it like if he knows how to take care of it is just fucking hard to see ...
thank you ^^
So Sad :( However, I was hugely impressed by the reaction and the way they dealt with it
Tears to my eyes. Rip Barbaro
I was driving in January 2007 when the guy on the radio said, "Sad news from the racing world". I had to pull over. I had been sure he was going to somehow pull through.
RIP Barbaro. Run free.
Its so sad that such a young talented horse had to die so soon.... he would have been an amazing race horse. R.I.P Barbaro
Edgar Prado had the chance to ride Bernardini too. He chose to stick with Barbaro as he was the better horse.
I cried when I saw him being pulled up. What a horse. So much heart and such bad luck.
THis happened 1 day before my birthday. Its so sad. I miss Barbaro.
It still astounds me that these poor majestic animals are pushed to the limit by the time they're 2 years old, while their bones are still developing. It's no wonder at all that so many of the great racehorses have suffered catastrophic injuries and death on the track. Most break down before they ever start in their first race, and it's all down to greed. Pitiful.
Having ridden for nine years, this could've happened to any horse at any age, in any discipline of riding. It's unfortunate but like they said, all it takes is one bad step, Just like in humans, but unfortunately, horses legs are vital to their survival and quality of life. It was freak accident. Not everyone in the racing industry is bad. A vast majority of race horses go onto loving homes and live long, healthy lives.
Dawn Lisowski There are factors other than just young age contributing to breakdowns. Long-time racing fan/writer Bill Nack is convinced breakdowns accelerated in the 1970's. Breeding practices contribute to -- the breeding of certain popular lines with bad bone, the increase in commercial breeders who breed for looks and precocious speed in order to sell young horses on the market, instead of racing them themselves (in which case durability would be more valued). The unwillingness to cull fast-but-fragile individuals from the breeding pool (e.g., Ruffian's sire Reviewer, who had 3 fractures in his racing career). The use of Phenylbutazone (Bute) and steroids to mask pain.
Breakdowns seem to be somewhat (or much?) less common in Europe, where races are run on turf and probably more importantly, drugs are much more regulated. Having had friends who had a small string of racers, some of them homebred, I would disagree that "most" horses break down before ever racing -- or ever break down at all, though I agree it is far too frequent an occurrence.(Note: I am not counting minor injuries as breakdowns.) Many simply don't cut it as racehorses....
My friends must have had about 15 racers over the years. They never lost a horse to injury, but they lost 3 horses to various infections (two were retired), plus a foal who was stillborn. Two other racers they bred and sold - both ended up as hunters - subsequently died relatively young of colic.
Ironically, my friends' much-loved pleasure horse, a sweet-tempered homebred mare they've kept after racing her, has had more frequent/more serious injuries on the farm than she ever did on the track. But I admit, that's anecdotal, one horse out of thousands, as is my friends' bad luck with infectious disease. Still....plenty of horses get themselves killed out in the field (e.g., Zenyatta's last foal).
"Most break down before they ever start in their first race" FALSE
+easytoslip ive been an owner and a groom and after watching races for 12 years ive seen 2 breakdowns in person and 7 on tv
nine breakdowns over 12 years=MOST? 'some' maybe, 'several' maybe. most? no.
I agree completely. Barbaro "shattered" that leg. Without a great jockey he would have never had a chance. He would have to have been put down on the track. Eight Bells being put down on the track was one of the worst things I've ever seen. Getting him slowed and to a complete stop so quickly gave Barbaro a shot. We miss you boy, you were all heart. :( :(
I remember this like it was yesterday I was actually crying I felt so bad for barbaro
Edgar prado helped javier castellano one time when javi was about to fall he lost his reins and prado pushed them up with the whip so javi can grab them
what race was that i gotta see that
Do a search on TH-cam for "Edgar Prado Helps Another Jockey During Race." I've read/heard. btw, that Prado in addition to being a great jockey is an admirable human being from multiple sources -- including but not limited to the header on that particular vid, and from friends for whom Prado rode years ago.
+marysueeasteregg prado is amazing chris antley i think was charismatics jockeys name was amazing at saving horses legs charimatic want the 1st he did that to
i didnt know that! thanx!
I just read the book that Edgar Prado(Barbaro's jockie) wrote. If you loved this horse as much as I did, you should read this book! It is super emotional but it give a view into this jockie and this horse!
I remember when I saw that. My parents were talking about that moment a lot
He was so beautiful and so wonderful. Such a loss.
You have a VERY good point.
I will always believe that Barbaro injured himself when he had the false start. Prado pulled up on Barbaro really hard when the false start happened. I also believe that Barbaro would have won the Triple Crown had he not gotten injured. NOBODY ever talks about the false start possibly causing Barbaro's injury.
Um that was sad and he tried making his people happy by trying to run through the pain
Ruffian woke up groggy after the surgery on her leg and kept trying to run and broke another leg. At New Bolton Center where they operated on Barbaro's leg, after the surgery they put Barbaro in a big harness and lowered him into a rig in a small swimming pool. When Barbaro woke up after his surgery he was in the rig in the water, so if he did try to run or thrash around he would not be injured further.
People loved this horse, and tried to save him. He was a professional athlete, and was treated as such. If this is cruelty, than show me kindnesss. THe tragedy here is he died so young, and suffered before his death. There is no beautiful way the living can leave this world when they go so young.
10 years ago today... Very sad. Seeing Ben's Cat win at 10 made it a little easier.
Watching this again gave me shivers :(
I come from France and the American dirt racing is very aggressive.
RIP Barbaro.
@Cristiano Bitoku
You're absolutely right! Too aggressive. Hence all the racehorse injuries and deaths. It's vile. Ban U.S. Horseracing!
One of many sad things about this race is that the Barbaro Bernardini match up would have been a really awesome one. So sad. RIP Barbaro
It stroke me again in Breeders Cup 2019 when Mongolian Groom broke his leg. This is so sad.
i have to say this...the way they handled Barbaro after he broke his leg was a lot better than how the handlers dealt with Ruffian when she broke down. she was practically uncontrollable when she wanted to keep running. Barbaro calmed down while being handled and stood still (except for his broken leg) when the ambulance got there. other than advance in technology (surgery and recovery) this is quite a contrast. Barbaro was brave until the end...... RIP Barbaro!
Even if barbaro would have survived he would still never be the same all I can imagine is barbaro before he was hurt wearing the blanket of roses 🌹 after he won the triple crown this is a tragic accident that haunts many people he had just the sprit that could make you love and feel at peace it is the best feeling
I know how it feels I had a jumping accident my horse jumped clean then stepped wrong on his front leg but we did the surgery now he’s well recovered and jumps once again
The owners loved Balbaro. They did everything to help medically and would not have run that horse injured. These owners want to win but they love their horses. I got to ride on a retired race horse. She loved to run. It was not about gambling for this family. They did everything possible.
Exactly. If they didnt care they wouldve shot him then and there.
@LIGHTNINGB0BBY THANK YOU!!!!! This horse NEVER should have even been considered after crashing the gate that hard. He nearly collapsed THEN! WHYYYYY!?
I remember watching this when it happened :( I felt so bad for that poor horse. Was hard to watch
After all these years, it's still heart wrenching to see this video. I remember hearing the announcement that Barbaro was gone. I cried so hard that day. To this day, I still cry just as hard. He was amazing. 😭
@mjcamck Very well stated. Barbaro was CHAMPION. He lived as a champion, and he died as a champion. His name will always be on the Kentucky Derby winners list. He died doing what he loved to do, and his legacy will live forever.
He was the favorite to win and of all the horses in this race. He had to break his leg jeez. It's just awful. He's racing in heaven now.
@TheProfessorOfLife Then how do you explain his clean break from the starting box? If he was injured prior to that, surely you would have seen it before the bad step, correct? It's possible that it increased the odds of it happening, but it wasn't the sole contributor.
I think the injury actually took place when he broke through the gate? The actual race just put the unfortunate icing on the cake for Barbaro
Yeah i wonder if the false start was an issue
I remember watching this happen when I was a kid. I felt so bad for that poor horse.
@megoldsw1 I know, you can tell that even with the broken leg, he still wanted to run.
I'll miss you Barbaro. I love you
@shonole I have a beautiful Edgar Prado signed and framed photo of him riding Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby, and it proudly hangs on the wall in my "man cave", along with all of my other Kentucky Derby memorabilia. I've actually been researching a book I hope to begin writing soon about American thoroughbred horse racing.......the good, the bad, and the ugly.
He tried to continue running after he'd broken his leg T_T poor horse. RIP
I cry.... poor Barbaro, and poor Ruffian. Poor horses...
I was just thinking of this recently & how much he was talked about in the state for that entire year, i still feel that false start had some involvement in some sort of omen
i really think Barbaro would have won the TC...
It was a sad day.
They tried to save him. But he developed other complicated problems. And ultimately he was put down.
These injury's happen. And it hurts everyone involved. No one wants their horses to be hurt like this. And the trainers, grooms, and vet staff all try to keep the horses healthy and injury free. Most of the people involved love the horses and will do anything for them. But there are a few people who only care for the money and don't care for the horses correctly.
It's sad when any horse is hurt.
More safe guards need to be developed and rules enforced so we can watch these beautiful creatures run.
sad how Like Now went from racing in the triple crown to racing in low level claming races..thankfully Like Now was rescued and now has a happy life