Barbaro touched us with his grace and fighting spirit.

His passing can be measured in many ways. The sport lost a giant talent who might have won the Triple Crown. It lost a sire whose impact might have been felt for many generations to follow. It lost a champion whose class and bravery---before and after his injury were inspiring and lent a deeply emotional touch to a sport that is rapidly becoming disconnected from human emotions.

 His passing, upon farther review, is immeasurable, a champion untill the end.

 

In a much larger sense, Barbaro leaves that deepest of empty wells, of greatness never fulfilled.

 

"Goodbye, brave and beautiful boy,  go back to the wind, and nevermore have to tolerate the weakness and ignorance of mortal man. You're finally running in endless fields…. Run on, Barbaro."

             Adela Henninger, of Rathdrum, Idaho, on the Pen Veterinary Medicine message board.