Fans entering Gate 1 at Churchill Downs may have their breath taken away when they arrive for the races Kentucky Derby week following the unveiling of life-sized statue of Barbaro April 26. The event drew a “Friends of Barbaro” crowd of about 500 who cheered with approval when the tarp was pulled off the sculpture.

Tugging at the cloth were Roy and Gretchen Jackson, the breeders and owners of Barbaro, his trainer Michael Matz, Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, and artist Alexa King. The event outside Churchill’s main entrance was emceed by John Asher, vice president of communications for Churchill Downs.

King was commissioned to sculpt Barbaro, being given an “impossible task that exceeded expectations,” according to Asher.

Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby before sustaining an injury in the early stages of the Preakness Stakes. His battle with laminitis captured the hearts of millions and while for a long time it appeared he would recover, he was euthanized Jan. 29, 2007