Industry associations have joined the thousands of racing fans rallying around Barbaro, who was pulled up in the May 20 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and underwent surgery on his right hind leg the following day.
The story has gotten regular play from major news outlets around the country. Visitors to the New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., have been dropping off gifts for the 3-year-old colt owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stable.

“On behalf of the entire Thoroughbred racing industry, our thanks go out to Dr. Dean Richardson and his staff at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, the attending veterinarians and staff at Pimlico and, especially, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Michael Matz, Peter Brette, and Edgar Prado for their part in helping Barbaro to this point. All of us continue to pray for his recovery,” National Thoroughbred Racing Commissioner D.G. Van Clief Jr. said in a statement. “Lots of people have been asking what this means for our sport. While we are tremendously saddened by Barbaro’s injury, the events of the last few days, especially the massive outpouring of public support for Barbaro, reinforce the strong emotional connection that people have with our equine athletes and our sport.

“The current situation has also demonstrated the strong bond which exists between horses and their owners, trainers, handlers, and riders, and has focused attention on the extraordinary care available to horses. There have been significant advances in the last few years in our ability to ensure the health and safety of our equine athletes and to care for them when they are injured. There is always more to do in this area, and we will continue to work with the owners, veterinarians, researchers, and the foundations that support them.”

Barbaro, trained by Matz and ridden by Prado, won the May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) before the Preakness. He was undefeated before the injury