Barbaro, More Than Just A Horse

In June of 1973, a horse captivated the imagination and the hearts of millions of Americans. In a time of turmoil and war Secretariat made our hearts pound, our eyes tear and helped us forget about all that is troublesome in the world, if only for a moment. In the recent past, horse racing has again made a mark on the hearts and minds of all those around the world. Stars of the triple crown such as Funny Cide, Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex became household names due to the stories behind each animal. This year, much like in 2004 with Smarty Jones a horse came barreling down the stretch of Churchill Downs and into our hearts and mind.
It all began in a simple maiden race for two-year-olds at Delaware park on October 4, 2005 where Barbaro put forth the kind of performance hinting at greatness. The track announcer recognized this stating “Barbaro…this could be a nice one”. Of course Barbaro would prove more than nice. After a dominating debut on the Delaware turf course, Barbaro was sent immediately into stakes action in the Laurel Futurity. Barbaro again rolled to an easy victory, and the buzz began.
His first three-year-old effort came on new years day in the Tropical Park Derby on Calder’s turf course where Barbaro again displayed what was rapidly becoming customary brilliance. Proven on turf, and with the Triple Crown on the horizon, Barbaro was asked to handle the dirt in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He handled a sloppy track and showed the kind of versatility, to run on all surfaces that has become so rare in the racing world. He then stamped his ticket to Kentucky with the kind of heart and grit we would become accustomed to in his fight for his life.
On the first Saturday in May Barbaro put forth the kind of performance that makes the hairs on your arms stand up. Those of us who follow sports, and in particular horse racing, knew in those two minutes that we had witnessed greatness. Of course the Preakness, an assumed coronation of Barbaro quickly turned to the kind of tragedy that can bring the burliest of men to tears. The sight of Michael Matz immediately running from the stands, those standing near him mouthing the words “oh my god”, and “oh no”, made our knees tremble and buckle. All of the attention turned from Barbaro the athlete, to Barbaro the horse and living thing. In the end it was Barbaro’s off the track resilience and determination that captured Amercia’s heart. His fight and will to live was both unwavering, motivating and powerful.
Barbaro’s story is reminiscent of the ill-fated Ruffian over thirty years ago. Like the athlete dying young, it is an unfinished story. Many chapters will forever remain unwritten and left to our imagination. He may have had a career that could have known no ends. After his Kentucky Derby win there was much talk of a run in the Arc de Triomphe later on in the fall. Due to his versatility this horse could have flashed his ability on all surfaces all over the world. However, his story will forever remain unfinished and unparalleled.
In the end there will be those skeptics who say “he’s just a horse.” While true that he is not human, Barbaro exhibited more athletic ability, and more resilience and determination in just over a year than I have in my entire lifetime. He is not just a horse, he is an athlete and an inspiration to us all. His resilience brought so much attention and so many good things in terms of funding for this much needed side of horse racing. In such a short life, Barbaro has given so much. Perhaps it is ironic that the same thing (laminitis) that ended Secretariat’s life is also the reason why Barbaro could not go on. Both champions, both athletes, both never will be forgotten.