Barbaro to be buried at Churchill Downs

On Tuesday, January 29, the one-year anniversary of the death of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, his owners and breeders, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, announced where he would be buried. A special memorial site will be built on the grounds of Churchill Downs where the ashes will be interred, outside Gate 1 in a large elevated space enclosed by bricks that is currently used as a garden, and later a life-size bronze statue commissioned by the Jacksons and loaned to Churchill, will be added.

The Jacksons are currently considering a select group of artists for the project and plan to make a final decision on the artist and statue design in the next few months. The Jacksons and Churchill Downs anticipate the statue's completion and the formal unveiling and dedication of the Barbaro memorial site sometime in 2009. In the meantime, a bronze marker in the current garden will mark the site, but the ashes will not be interred until the statue is erected.

To date, Barbaro will become the only horse buried on the grounds of Churchill Downs. The adjacent Kentucky Derby Museum has the remains of four Kentucky Derby winners interred on its property: Sunny's Halo (1983), Carry Back (1961), Swaps (1955), and Broker’s Tip (1933).

The son of Dynaformer entered the Preakness Stakes undefeated after winning the Derby by 6 1/2 lengths, but broke down the first time past the stands at Pimlico. After successful surgery by Dr. Dean Richardson at the University of Pennsylvania to put together his broken right hind ankle, he contracted laminitis and was put down when the disease had affected his three remaining feet. He was cremated shortly afterward.

Co-owner Roy Jackson said, "Gretchen and I are pleased to be collaborating with Churchill Downs in this wonderful project. In the year that has just preceded, we have spent much time thinking about Barbaro’s memorial and where it would be best placed. Churchill Downs became the obvious site for us. It was here that he ran his best race. It was here where we spent our most memorable day as horse owners and breeders. It was here where his racing fans could visit daily, and it was here at Churchill Downs where he was cordially invited to rest. We look forward to working with Steve Sexton and his team."

A number of other locations had been discussed, including the Kentucky Horse Park, the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland where he was stabled, and a proposed new mid-Atlantic racing museum.

Gretchen Jackson said, "It became overwhelmingly clear that this is where (Barbaro) should be. We wrestled with it for awhile, but we're really thrilled that (Churchill) wanted him. (Barbaro's Derby) was such a special day and race for us, and Churchill holds such reverence, and he's part of that now. It's very special. (Barbaro's legacy) is far bigger than us. It's about everybody now, and we're fine with that."

Peter Brette, assistant to trainer Michael Matz as well as Barbaro's regular exercise rider, said, "He's the best horse I’ve ever sat on and probably ever will. The way people sort of attached themselves to him was amazing. For me, as a racehorse he was brilliant. I think most people don’t associate him with being brilliant because he wasn't around for so long. They associate him with his fight for life. For me personally, I think he was a truly brilliant racehorse, and we all got a glimpse of that in the Kentucky Derby. I certainly thought he was going to improve after the Derby, and towards the end of the season I think we would have seen how good he really was. He could have been one of the really great horses. Unfortunately, every other horse has to measure up to him now. In my racing life, he left a huge void. We have some very nice horses in the barn, and they all have to measure up to him. That's probably unfair, but that's life."

Churchill Downs president Steve Sexton said, "Churchill Downs is deeply honored to be selected as the final resting place for Barbaro, who first captured our hearts with his impressive win in the 132nd Kentucky Derby and who demonstrated strength and determination in his long battle to overcome both injury and illness. Barbaro took his place in history on the first Saturday in May 2006 with a brilliant Kentucky Derby victory, but his accomplishments as a racehorse are certainly rivaled by the courage and resolve he displayed after his injury. We are grateful to the Jacksons for entrusting their beloved Derby champion to us."

Churchill Downs Incorporated president Bob Evans added, "I have a sneaking suspicion that over the course of a few years, the number of photographs that get taken with people and this Barbaro statue are going to be mind-boggling. I just hope that over the course of 25 or 50 years, thousands upon thousands of people, whether they're coming to an everyday race, the Derby, or going to the Museum, I hope that it's just something that catches their attention and has some meaning and maybe in some small way produces a few more dollars for laminitis research over time. That would be a good outcome."

Kentucky Derby Museum executive director Lynn Ashton said, "We think it's a phenomenal decision for them to make. Now everyone will have the opportunity to come and visit and to learn about Barbaro. The Jacksons have given Barbaro's final resting place the same time and consideration as they did his race career and decisions about his recovery."