No cake, no oats. Only memories, tears, and stories of Barbaro’s spirit were shared at this birthday party.

Fans traveled from around the world to pay tribute and honor Barbaro at Delaware Park on Sunday on what would have been the Kentucky Derby winner’s fourth birthday.

Strangers who had only chatted on Internet message boards hugged like old friends, connected by the colt who became a symbol of strength and courage before he was euthanized in January.

“I never would have anticipated anything like this, this time last year let alone four years ago when Barbaro was born,” co-owner Gretchen Jackson told nearly 600 fans at the track’s grove