Louisville, KY (Sportsbooks) - On the one year anniversary of Barbaro's death, the owners of the former Kentucky Derby champion announced that the ill-fated thoroughbred's ashes will be buried at Churchill Downs.
The announcement came at a news conference Tuesday morning at the historic racetrack.
"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," said Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs and executive vice president of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
Roy and Gretchen Jackson stated that Barbaro's ashes will be buried outside Churchill Downs' Gate One in the center of a brick plaza. A statue of Barbaro will be erected to mark the gravesite, and a temporary bronze marker will be installed to indicate the location.
"Gretchen and I are pleased to be collaborating with Churchill Downs in this wonderful project," said Roy Jackson. "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."
The Jacksons have been mulling the final resting place of Barbaro's ashes since he died last year. Several locations were under consideration, including Delaware Park -- where Barbaro began his career -- as well as the Jacksons' home state of Pennsylvania.
Following his 6 1/2-length win in the 2006 Kentucky Derby, Barbaro suffered a devastating injury to his rear right leg in the Preakness Stakes. He underwent surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's Bolton Center, where he remained until his death. The colt went through months of treatment, but was humanely destroyed after complications from laminitis.
Fans of Barbaro will be able to visit the gravesite without going inside Churchill Downs or the Kentucky Derby Museum. Barbaro will be the fifth Kentucky Derby winner to be buried at Churchill, joining Brokers Tip, Carry Back, Sunny's Halo and Swaps.
