Barbaro (Race horse)

Barbaro (April 29, 2003 – January 29, 2007) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the 2006 Kentucky Derby, but shattered his leg two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes, which ended his racing career and eventually led to the decision to euthanize him. Barbaro was a third-generation descendant of Mr. Prospector, and as such Barbaro was related to many notable racehorses including Afleet Alex, Smarty Jones, Funny Cide, and Fusaichi Pegasus. On May 20, 2006, Barbaro ran in the Preakness Stakes as a heavy favorite, but, after a false start, he fractured three bones in and around the fetlock of his right hind leg. The injury ruined any chance of a Triple Crown in 2006 and ended his racing career. The next day, he underwent surgery at the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania for his injuries. In July he developed laminitis in his left rear foot. He was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent five further operations, and his prognosis varied during an exceptionally long stay in the Equine Intensive Care Unit at the New Bolton Center. After his right hind leg eventually healed, he developed further laminitis in both front hooves. His veterinarians and owners concluded that he could not be saved, and Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007.