NEWS
Barbaro memorial unveiling set for April 26
Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 3:35 PM
A public unveiling of a larger-than-life bronze statue of 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Barbaro will be held on April 26 at Churchill Downs.
The announcement about the unveiling was made on Thursday, the two-year anniversary of Barbaro’s death on January 29, 2007.
“Churchill Downs will provide additional details about the public unveiling as they become available, but we wanted to make certain that Barbaro’s worldwide legion of fans were aware of the ceremony’s date,” said Jim Gates, Churchill’s general manager. “Churchill Downs is proud to have been chosen as Barbaro’s final resting place, and this outstanding memorial is certain to become a popular year-round gathering place for horse lovers throughout the world.”
The statue will be part of Barbaro’s memorial and burial site at Churchill. The statue will be placed outside Gate 1 at the Louisville track, and Barbaro’s ashes will be interred beneath the statue.
A bronze marker featuring Barbaro’s likeness currently marks the future memorial site.
A homebred of Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables, Barbaro posted a 6 1/2-length victory in the 2006 Kentucky Derby. The Dynaformer colt shattered his right hind leg in the opening strides of the 2006 Preakness Stakes (G1) and later was euthanized because of complications with laminitis.
“Gretchen and I are very much looking forward to the public ceremony this April,” Roy Jackson said. “We are absolutely thrilled that Barbaro will be honored at Churchill Downs with a magnificent statue of his greatest race.”
Equine sculptor Alexa King is overseeing production of the statue, which is nearing its final stages. The statue will feature Barbaro and jockey Edgar Prado in mid-flight near the finish line of the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
Churchill’s 2009 spring meet starts on April 25, and the memorial unveiling will take place the following day before live racing begins. The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby will be held on May 2.
