Barbaro, The Story Behind The Painting

It was 1863 when sanctioned Thoroughbred racing was established in the United States. Abraham Lincoln was President. Count the years ... yet over this long period, just three horses — Man O' War, Seabiscuit and Secretariat — achieved public fame which is typically reserved for only entertainers and politicians. Today, Barbaro's name has joined that august list of three.

The story of Barbaro is well known: On the racetrack, he was an undefeated 6-0. In stunning fashion, Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby by the 5th largest margin in history. Then sadly, his career would end two weeks later, only 200 yards into the Preakness Stakes.

As Barbaro fought to heal a devastating back-leg fracture, his valiant effort became International news. Media outlets said the outpouring of interest was of “Lady Diana proportions.” The animal hospital where Barbaro recovered, the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania, had TV news trucks parked outside its gates, dozens of ‘get well’ posters attached to its fenceline and mounds of flower bouquets lay near the entrance. The US Post Office at Kennett Square regularly delivered bags of mail --- the bearers of countless notes and cards from well wishers worldwide. Think about that: People so moved by the story of Barbaro, they wrote to an animal.

Inside the hospital, Barbaro showed the same tenacity as a patient that he showed as an athlete. For almost a year, he overcame medical setbacks, and against all odds, the damaged leg was on its way to recovery. Yet alas, in a cruel twist of fate, Barbaro would succumb to a condition which was out of his control — an insidious, but common hoof disease known as Laminitis.

I’ve been painting the game of Thoroughbred racing since 1988, but never had more people call on me to paint a particular horse.

I put long thought into the composition. How best to honor the great competitor that was Barbaro? It would require the utmost respect. No horse ever brought more attention to the industry where I make my living.

Ultimately, I chose to portray Barbaro at the moment of his greatest triumph — at the wire of the Kentucky Derby. Furthermore, I chose a depiction in full flight — with all four feet of the ground — forcing viewers to look skyward at him. This angle would also enable a glimpse of the fabled Twin Spires of Churchill Downs. Finally, I elected to temper the overall background color and imagery. Considering the circumstances, I thought this ‘ghosted background’ would give the picture a more ethereal effect. The focus needed to be solely on Barbaro, at his electrifying best.