|
Horse Racing News and Commentary |
|
|
|
|
|
Churchill Downs chosen as Barbaro's memorial site |
|
|
|
Written by Gohorsepower.com
|
|
Tuesday, 29 January 2008 |
 Barbaro is returning to Churchill Downs. A year after Barbaro's untimely death on January 29, 2007, the Thorougbred racehorse's owners have decided his ashes will remain at Churchill Downs, where the undefeated colt won the Kentucky Derby by an incredible 6 1/2 lengths in 2006. An artist is also being chosen to create an awesome larger-than-life bronze memorial statue in Barbaro's honor.
Barbaro's owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson of Lael Stable, will hold a news conference at 10 AM Eastern time on January 29, 2008, in the Triple Crown Room of the Jockey Club Suites at Churchill Downs. A charity autograph session will follow, benefiting the Fund for Laminits Research.
In the past year, the Jackson's have considered the idea of memorializing Barbaro at a local Pennsylvania racing museum, as well as invitations from the Kentucky Horse Park, and the Kentucky Derby Museum--burial place of Kentucky Derby winners Swaps, Sunny's Halo, Broker's Tip, and Carry Back. Barbaro will be buried near the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, with his statue in a location where visitors won't have to pay admission to the museum or the race track to pay their respects.
In 2006, Barbaro gallantly survived a devastating leg injury in the opening stretch of the Preakness Stakes before laminitis afflicted him during a challenging recovery in which the Dynaformer colt never showed any willingness to give up. An ailment that afflicts hundreds of horses every day, laminitis often strikes healthy horses without warning, but leg injuries like Barbaro's can set the stage for the painful hoof disease. You can help fund horse health and safety research by giving to the Laminitis Fund or the Barbaro Memorial Fund today at RidingWithBarbaro.org.
Recommended reading
ChurchillDowns.com - Churchill Downs selected as burial and official memorial site for 2006 Kentucky Derby Winner Barbaro
Thoroughbred Times - Barbaro interred at Churchill Downs
Courier-Journal - Barbaro burial site
|
|
