Racing:Kentucky Derby-winning racehorse Barbaro
was put to death today after failing to recover from a shattered
hind leg suffered in the Preakness Stakes last year, the National
Thoroughbred Racing Association said.
Veterinarians went to great lengths to save the horse, which won
the most famous contest in US horse racing by a whopping 6.5
lengths last May. He was attempting to win the second leg of the
sport's triple crown three weeks later at the Preakness Stakes when
he pulled up lame.
Barbaro, who had been undefeated as a three-year-old in his
career, was hurt after the opening paces of the Preakness as
millions of race fans watched on television, and the story of his
painstaking recovery drew intense interest from animal lovers,
horse-racing fans and the general public.
The racing association's chief executive reported the death
in a statement, expressing condolences to the owners who paid his
medical bills and thanking the veterinarian who tried to save
Barbaro's life, Dean Richardson.
"I would also like to express condolences - and thanks - to
the millions of fans whose hearts were touched by Barbaro during
his brilliant racing career and throughout his gallant struggle to
recover," CEO Alex Waldrop said in the statement.
"His memory will live forever."