Barber
When to let go?
A champion, cut at the zenith of his career. A horse with more heart than a mere mortal could comprehend.
His time shortened so fast, a false start at the Belmont, he closed again … he could have been damaged then.
No one would know until later, when his helmet slipped, his leg gave out … when he was done.
His strong rider fought internal fears as he controlled it, what was wrong? Was your horse damaged?
What happened?
Prado could feel the horse crumbling beneath him.
Did you know that the champion was forever changed, forever damaged, maybe forever finished? Not at that time!
Edgar knew that Barber was hurt and it was his job to stop him!
What was Prado afraid of as he struggled to brake?
his shining horse, the horse that did not give up!
Stop now!
Listen to me, forget about the race I need you to listen to me!
It’s time to go against your grain, your blood, your training,
ignore the horses running away, leaving you behind.
I need you to stop … now!
And stopping it did.
The repetition of the breakdown was excruciating to watch.
They played it over and over again … no more!
I had to turn off the television for the rest of that day.
The horse racing world knew they had lost a special one, maybe his genetics could be passed on, maybe he could be put into a stallion with great veterinary skill.
His time shortened so fast, a false start at the Belmont, he closed again,
at that time it could have been fatally damaged …
no one would know until later …
later, when his helmet slipped, his leg gave out …
and it is over.
But Barbero did not give up, he fought with everyone
of his will to move on, that is the gift and curse of
the great thoroughbreds.
Not only did he break his leg, he also broke his heart,
since I never would have allowed all those horses
running, to leave him in the dust, no way, not him!
A still unknown racing legend, ended up with the Belmont Stakes
in an ambulance, rushing not home, but for the best that modern veterinary medicine can provide.
Know that they did the best they could. The doctor wanted him to survive, he wanted him to live well, to give his legacy to the foals that had not yet been born, but, oh …
All the horses of the Kings and all the men of the Kings could not get Barbero back together.
We rejoice in your recovery and hope for the best,
And now we must let it go
No more surgeries, no more restrictions.
No more doing what you weren’t raised to do.
You were raised to run, win, and excel.
That was your mission here.
We regret the loss of the brilliance that it was.
We regret the legacy he may have left in his wake.
Sleep well dear, you will not be forgotten.
