by Frank Angst

While the leather links jockey Edgar Prado’s three classic victories, the Eclipse Award winner has decided the red and white saddle will do more good for other riders.

Prado will donate the saddle he used while winning last year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) aboard Barbaro to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Prado also used the six-year-old saddle when he won the Belmont Stakes (G1) in 2002 aboard Sarava and in ‘04 aboard Birdstone.

“I’ve used this saddle for six years in the biggest races. It’s a part of me,” Prado said. “But my fellow riders need it more at this time.”

There are 58 severely injured jockeys receiving vital assistance each month from the fund, which Jockeys’ Guild National Manager Dwight Manley said needs more support.

The saddle will be auctioned on the eve of the Kentucky Derby at the Mint Jubilee Gala at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 4. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, a division of National Thoroughbred Racing Association Charities.

Manley, an avid coin collector, said the saddle should prove valuable.

“In the years I’ve been collecting, I’ve owned, at one time or another, just about all of the most valuable coins that are out there,” Manley said. “This saddle would qualify as priceless.”

Barbaro broke down in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and was euthanized this year after he became unable to sufficiently bear weight on his hind limbs due to laminitis. His success on the track and battles off the track won the hearts of many fans.

Peggy Hendershot of NTRA Charities said the auction should raise fan awareness about the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

On Tuesday, PSA/DNA Authentication Services of Newport Beach, California, marked the saddle with a synthetic DNA strand that only can be seen when illuminated by a specific laser frequency. The strand will verify that the saddle is authentic.

Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times