[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 20 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1519-S1520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO 2006 KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER BARBARO

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to the 
life of Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby Champion. He was an 
inspirational survivor and was beloved by the State of Kentucky. 
Barbaro's motivational rise to the top of horse racing history and 
relentless fight for his life against all odds, serves as a shining 
example of strength and courage to us all.
  Barbaro first entered this world on April 29, 2003, when he was 
foaled in Nicholasville, KY, at Springmint Farm. He is the son of the 
great champion racehorse Dynaformer and was destined to be a champion 
from the beginning.
  Barbaro was always a favorite of the crowd, but it was his 
performance at the Kentucky Derby, May 6, 2006, that would make him a 
legend. He ended up winning the Derby with a lead of seven lengths, 
which was the largest margin of victory since 1946. Because of this 
spectacular race, many people believed Barbaro was destined for 
greatness in the horse racing industry and favored him to go on to win 
the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.
  Later that same year, Barbaro ran the Preakness Stakes on May 20, 
2006, as the crowd favorite. After an initial false start through the 
starting gate and signs of distress early on in the race, it was clear 
that Barbaro had sustained a severe injury. Laboratory tests showed 
that he had fractured three bones in and around his ankle and right 
hind leg. This resulted in immediate surgery and many subsequent

[[Page S1520]]

surgeries. A last effort was made by doctors to save Barbaro, but their 
continued efforts proved to be unsuccessful and caused his current 
ailments to spread farther through his body. Although he kept fighting 
to recover, it was clear to everyone that he was in monumental pain. On 
January 29, 2007, Barbaro's owners decided that his pain was too much 
to handle and he was laid to rest.
  Barbaro had a unique, motivational quality that made him the object 
of care and affection from the public in a way that few animals before 
him have ever experienced. He will be terribly missed but never 
forgotten. Barbaro was a champion, a fighter, and a true inspiration to 
the entire State of Kentucky.

                          ____________________