[QUOTE=eggbutt;2183363]
I haven’t seen an on-line link. It was a video on ESPN early yesterday morning that also had snippets of the news conference as well as the Derby and Preakness. It ended with Michael’s thoughts on his favorite memory. What a true gentleman Michael is…Barbaro seemed to surround himself with classy folks didn’t he?[/QUOTE]
I wish I had seen it, too. Michael is as wonderful as they come as a human and a horseman.
[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;2186760]
Thanks, Alex~
Update 1428: The Hennegan Brothers (First Saturday in May).[/QUOTE]
Thank you VB. I just saw the trailer on their homepage for the very first (and second and third time) I laughed out loud (the first and second and third time) . I needed that!
Friday ~
Thanks Alex~
Update 1429: Here are some more of the many articles that have been recently posted:
Barbaro’s legacy positive
Kentucky horsemen recall Barbaro’s early days
Vet: Barbaro was ‘different horse’ in final hours
Barbaro’s birth stall stands empty
Lessons Learned From Barbaro
Barbaro’s painter recalls horse’s strength
Steve Haskin: Reflections on Barbaro and His Fight for Life
Barbaro’s Plight Shined a Light on Advances
Matz soldiers on with Barbaro gone
The Barbaro Fund hats have raised $15,400 for the Barbaro Fund. I am not sure yet if more will be made available.
Damn, I miss the 8 month “nomalcy” of our daily updates 
It’s all still a bit too fresh for me I guess.
I’m right there with you, eggbutt. It’s hard to get one’s mind completely around …
Nice article from the Boston Globe today:
It is worth pondering why there was such an outpouring of sympathy for Barbaro, last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, during his long struggle to survive a fractured hind leg – and why so many expressions of condolence were addressed to his owners after they had him euthanized Monday to spare him terminal suffering
Part of the answer has to do with a love of horses that takes root in diverse people at different stages of life. Any boy or girl who ever had the luck to ride and care for horses will be inclined to grieve for the loss of Barbaro. And even adults who missed having horses in their childhood possess the innate capacity for compassion with all sentient beings
But there is another explanation for the emotional force of Barbaro’s story, something close to the spirit of literature. Conscious or not, reasoned or not, the millions who watched Barbaro striding in triumph down the homestretch at Churchill Downs in May were taking part in a ritual metaphor of cyclical renewal.
This is the essence of thoroughbred racing, at least when the best horses compete in the classic races. When all the ephemera of betting and marketing are peeled away, to see a colt like Barbaro re enact the feats of a Secretariat or a Man O’ War is to share in a celebration of the striving after excellence.
So there was all the more cause for grief when, two weeks after Barbaro’s awesome performance in the Kentucky Derby, the colt who seemed destined to join the select roster of Triple Crown winners fractured his right hind leg in the first furlong of the Preakness. Suddenly, the ever-present peril that racing folk understand only too well – the doom that comes with a single bad step – descended on Barbaro of the infinite promise.
It was an unforgettable, mournful tableau. Barbaro’s accomplished jockey, Edgar Prado, (who started his ascent to stardom here at Suffolk Downs) reined in the distressed colt, dismounted and grasped the reins, trying to keep Barbaro from doing any more damage to his shattered right hind leg. In a tick of time, the allegory of excellence had become a tale of suffering and loss.
.
In the intervening eight months, while caring veterinarians and surgeons tried to save Barbaro, his fans hoped he might survive as a stallion to pass his brilliance on to future generations. When he was put down mercifully Monday, his death became an allegory of unfulfilled potential.
But the cycle of renewal goes on. This weekend in Florida, three-year-old colts will run in the Holy Bull Stakes, the first Derby prep Barbaro won last year. Each new season invites the appearance of another Barbaro.
Does anyone have a link to Monday’s NBC press conference? I was able to watch it live (on computer) and wanted to pass it on to someone who missed it, but the link now simply is an NBC story and not the press conference at all. I’m looking for the press conference in its entirety. Surely it must be on the web somewhere?
WHY IS THIS SO HARD!!! IS ANYONE ELSE FEELING THIS WAY OR IS IT JUST ME I HAVE CRIED EVERYTIME I READ ABOUT THIS!!!
Thanks Alex~
Update 1431:
From Dr. Kathy Anderson:
Dear Fans of Barbaro:
Although I have communicated with you indirectly through Alex and this blog I am writing to you now to share some of my thoughts and emotions at the end of Barbaro’s journey through life. First, I would like to thank all who energized and galvanized our will to see this journey through — your frequent messages and notes were very appreciated and a constant reminder of just how many people were touched by Barbaro, the warrior horse.
So, what of Barbaro? Please be reassured that throughout his hospitalization, and indeed his life, Barbaro remained in charge — his eye did not dim nor did his spirit waver until the last. Most of you have come to know him intimately through your research but for me the best thing about him was he was first and foremost a horse, an equine hero to be sure, but always a horse with all that is so special of our equine friends. He was kind and talented as a two year old, he became increasingly confident as his fan base increased, and prior to the Preakness I believe there could be no happier horse … nor human support team.
Following Barbaro’s tragic misstep, we staggered with him, but like he, brushed ourselves off and carried on with the challenging task in front of us — to bring Barbaro back into our lives healthy and happy. New members joined the team, Dr. Richardson becoming the visible “leader” with many behind the scenes caregivers. Despite the odds, Barbaro improved steadily, our hopes rekindled, our fears diminished and Barbaro remained constant — day by day inspecting his kingdom and his servants with little patience for the slow or weak of heart. The critical week in July became the fork in the road — he took the path less traveled and still managed to look challenge in the eye and gather momentum towards his future. In early January I took my children to see him, for I was sure that our next visit would be in a grassy paddock at the farm of his choice. He stood on that sunny afternoon, silhouetted against his large window with a panoramic view of nearby pastures, gazing intently at the lucky equines on the horizon, no doubt plotting what contortions and gyrations he would enjoy when he joined them in the not too distant future — that is the memory I hold in my mind’s eye. His inner peace and ever present confidence that all would be right in his world, his shiny healthy coat, his well muscled and conformed body, even his wonderfully naked legs with no wraps, casts or bandages — just his badges of courage — the healed but deformed right hind limb and the lightly padded left hind foot … he was a portrait of health. True, he had lost his perfect body and the innocence of youth but now he stood as a battle seasoned wise warrior.
This is how I remember him, and although my heart weeps for his loss I know that he is now cavorting and challenging his cloud mates to those races that he was destined to win. I will see that bright spark in the eye of the racehorses I meet in years to come, and I will wonder if he is mischievously playing with me, challenging me to search for that intangible quality of “champion” amongst future generations. Certainly I am forever indebted to Barbaro for his gift of courage and grace which he bestowed upon us all from the moment he burst upon the racing scene in 2005. What a ride it has been “through sickness and health.” Barbaro fans hail from around the world with diverse cultural and economic backgrounds but together we have found common ground and realize that heroes come in many shapes, sizes and species — hail to the hero Barbaro!
Kathleen M. Anderson, DVM
Equine Veterinary Care, PC
Fair Hill Training Center, MD
Thank you Dr. Anderson. Our loss pales to yours, but we hold his memory no less dear. God bless.
Oh my goodness…what a lovely rememberance.
Jiggles I totally agree with you.
Thank you VB…you’re wonderful and I suspect you’re in the same emotional turmoil as many of us.
[QUOTE=jiggles;2188568]
WHY IS THIS SO HARD!!! IS ANYONE ELSE FEELING THIS WAY OR IS IT JUST ME I HAVE CRIED EVERYTIME I READ ABOUT THIS!!![/QUOTE]
Jingles, I’m sure there are many of us that still cry with each article written about Barbaro. I still go and light a candle for him and I see that others are doing the same thing. I went in today and there were over 2000 candles lit for him. I know I will probably continue to light a candle and wish him well for days to come. 
Wow, what a touching tribute from Dr. Anderson.
All the naysayers should read it.
I’m going to save a copy of it.
Throughout all that is and was Barbaro, I hadn’t really sat down and cried like a baby til I read the email from Dr Anderson.
Now instead of lighting candles for Barbaro I am lighting them on the evntr board for Kim Meier (sp).
No Oakstable, nothing will change the naysayers thoughts…and that’s ok too as long as they respect the thoughts, dreams and privacy of others.
Beautiful and heartfelt post from Dr. Edwards. Please thank her for all of us!
Cloud mates–love that term! Now when I see clouds racing by, I’ll know it
is Barbaro leading the races.
I had managed, with a great deal of effort, not to truly cry over Barbaro, my tears of loss being spent years before when I lost the finest horse to ever look through a bridle. As I stood on the hill at our new farm watching my then 4yr old “new” horse play in his new pasture for the first time, I broke completely down sobbing. When my husband asked me why, all I could say was “Joie should have been here”. For nearly a year, every time I hunted and a trusty horse carried me safely home, I cried, it wasn’t him. So I put it all away. I pushed it back hard this week, busy at work, tried not to watch too many rememberances and got past it. Until I read Dr Edwards’ heartfelt words. It is true that grief is the measure of how very much we love. Thank you for letting me have the feelings and the memories again and knowing with every ending, there is a begining, and the light of no living thing ever truly goes out, the candles may fade, but the light burns in our hearts and minds, all we have to do is see it there. The clouds seem a fitting place to look.
Thanks, Alex~
Update 1432: While this has been a very tough week (we english guys are known for being a little understated at times), racing does continue and some standouts are running this weekend.
2006 Horse of the Year Invasor is at Gulfstream (Horse of Year Invasor Returns in Donn Handicap) as the highweight in the Donn Handicap. Also at Gulfstream NoBiz Like ShowBiz and Scat Daddy clash in the Holy Bull (won last year in the slop by Barbaro) and Eclipse Award winner Miesque’s Approval returns.
Finally “First Saturday in May” star Brother Derek tries again at Santa Anita.
A couple more recent Barbaro articles:
Losing Barbaro
Derby Fever: 2006 Was All About Barbaro
Your words made me sob my eyes out…
http://www.garystevens.com/keep-informed.shtml
Gary Stevens: Jockey
2/2/07 - After LA Times sports columnist T.J. Simers wrote two very disrespectful articles about Barbaro and the industry, Gary Stevens fired off a letter to the Editor in Chief. His letter is pasted below.
Mr. James O’Shea
Editor In Chief
Los Angeles Times
Dear Mr. O’Shea
It is one thing to be labeled a provocative journalist and quite another to act as a rude, callous, insulting and uneducated sports columnist. Unfortunately, T.J. Simers seems to reside under the latter category.
I found it extremely appalling to read the article Mr. Simers penned in the LA Times titled “Grieving for Barbaro makes no horse sense”, regarding the untimely death of Kentucky Derby Champion Barbaro. Even further disturbing to me is the fact that the LA Times would allow such an extremely unprofessionally researched piece to be published.
Simers compares Barbaro to a squirrel, asking “Tell me the difference right now between the furry bump in the road that was once a squirrel, and Barbaro today.” He goes on to say, “I don’t get this blubbering fascination with Barbaro.” And you, Mr. Simers call yourself a sports journalist? Shame on you!
Let me teach you a thing or two about Barbaro, the oldest sport in the America, and the determination, heart and will that it takes to make a champion.
Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby which is one of the most prestigious sporting events in all of sports. He won it by an astonishing 6 1/2 lengths which was the largest margin in 60 years. He was one of only 18 horses in history to come into the Derby undefeated.
Barbaro’s trainer, Michael Matz was an Olympic silver medalist who survived a plane crash in Iowa that took the lives of 111 people. His heroic measures led him to rescue three kids out of the burning crash and then return to a smoke filled cabin to save an 11 month old baby. Maybe this gives you an inkling of why America and the world has embraced this horse and his connections so fondly.
Simers refers to looking up the definitions of courageous and courage on dictionary.com. He should have looked up the words ignorance (the state or fact of being ignorant; lack of knowledge"), and arrogance (“offensive display of superiority or self-importance”) while looking up the words, determination (“the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose”), will (“purpose or determination”) and heart (the center of the total personality, the center of emotion, spirit, courage, or enthusiasm), all of which a champion is made of and which Barbaro and his connections have displayed to the utmost! He might want to make note for future reference that squirrel is defined on dictionary.com as a “bushy-tailed rodent”. Please tell me and your readers where he was ever able to find a connection between the two!
As a three time Kentucky Derby winning jockey I find it more than insulting that he would write an article about our sport, the oldest in America with such total disregard to the facts and the loss of a champion.
Like Roy and Gretchen Jackson, the owners of Barbaro and the majority of the horse owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, journalists and all involved in bringing the sport of horse racing to the public, most are in it because of the joy they derive from the sport and the passion, and love they have for the horse, not the money Mr. Simers thinks they receive from it. Only a small fraction of owners in the sport actually receive a return on their investments. Although I made a good living in the sport I risked my life every time I came out of the gate. I rode for the passion of the sport and as any athlete or champion will tell you the thrill of victory is what drives a champion to be his best.
If Simers had done his homework or paid attention to the champion athletes whose careers he has covered as a “journalist” over the years he would have never questioned the fascination in Barbaro or been able to write an article with such total disregard for the facts and what Barbaro meant to all of those who mourned for him at the time of his death.
I would like to think that a major market newspaper such as the LA Times would be concerned about the integrity or lack thereof of their “journalists.” It is clear to me that by the firing of Simers by ESPN and all of the negative things I have read about him, I am just one of many who feel this way.
Gary Stevens
Sierra Madre, CA
Mr. James O’Shea
Editor In Chief
Los Angeles Times
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
