[Kimmers]

I am not a big fan of horse racing for a variety of reasons but one of them is how some owners treat losing horses.

I have a lot of respect for this colts owners. The medical bills for him may amount to the budget for a small country. They would have been justified putting him down awhile ago but they are not giving up.

I remain optimistic because he is quite the fighter and I think he has won the hearts of many beyond the doors of the barn he lives in.

[Skip Ripley]

Having just paid $1200 in vet bills for a 13 year old Sheltie's week long stay in a vet hospital.....I hear what you're saying....

[daviscupper]

I think these owners are real horse lovers but we should be clear about the financial incentives.

First, if the horse survives Barbaro will make a fortune in stud fees for its owners. The last Kentucky Derby winner studded out just dandy. I saw on a 60 Minutes news item that the horse had two "dates" per day at a $100,000 per date. That means the horse probably studded out for $50-60 million in the first year.

And second, Barbaro is insured for around $30 million. So there is a financial incentive of around $20-30 million to keep this horse alive.

In world of Kentucky horse racing artificial insemination is not allowed. In order for a horse to be considered a legitimate offspring an eligible to race, it must have been conceived by a stud that covered the mare. Weird rules, I know. That means Barbaro's legs have to fully recover before he can "entertain" females.

Having said all of that I do believe these owners sincerely love their Barbaro. They would also love to have an additional $20-30 million. I would. And yes, I am well aware that they have more money than God!

P.S. If there is such a thing as reincarnation I want to come back as a Triple Crown winner. ;-)

[KavMan]

" I am not a big fan of horse racing for a variety of reasons but one of them is how some owners treat losing horses.

I have a lot of respect for this colts owners. The medical bills for him may amount to the budget for a small country. They would have been justified putting him down awhile ago but they are not giving up.

I remain optimistic because he is quite the fighter and I think he has won the hearts of many beyond the doors of the barn he lives in. "





Don't give these owners too much respect. If this was a loser horse he would've been put down on the 1st day. Medical bills probably paid by insurance? and if not, it doesn't even matter because this is a STUD horse

I've heard people saying Barbaro can net the owners Like $50 to $100 Million when he retires to be a STUD horse.

[Doohickey]

I'm not sure that your respect isn't at least somewhat misplaced. If Barbaro recovers, his owners will make the vet bills back in stud fees within a year.

[Ditto]

I have a lot of respect for this colts owners. The medical bills for him may amount to the budget for a small country. They would have been justified putting him down awhile ago but they are not giving up.

I hear what you're saying, but all things being equal, what do you think would have happened to this horse if he were a gelding?

I don't think it's all for the horse.

[Polybius]

I am not a big fan of horse racing for a variety of reasons but one of them is how some owners treat losing horses. I have a lot of respect for this colts owners. The medical bills for him may amount to the budget for a small country. They would have been justified putting him down awhile ago but they are not giving up.

Well, don't get too sentimental about the medical full court press.

Barbaro did not "lose". He was injured as a Kentucky Derby champion and as a potential Triple Crown champion. As a result, his future production of sperm is worth Big Bucks.

If they could somewhow hook up his testicles to a life support system, they probably would have "humanely put him out of his misery" by now.

If Barbaro had come in last at the Kentucky Derby before shattering his leg, both his muscles and his testicles would be ground up in a bag of Purina Dog Chow by now.

Marked for Dog Food, Also-Ran Racehorses Are Spared in Pasture