Hopes of Barbaro becoming the first Triple Crown winner in nearly 30 years were crushed when he was injured at the start of the Preakness. A huge outpouring of public supported followed as the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s famed New Bolton Center tried to save his life.

Breyer Animal Creations, makers of the world’s finest model horses, stepped in to help by creating a Barbaro portrait model horse and donating a portion of the proceeds to New Bolton.

Despite Barbaro’s will to survive and the valiant efforts made at the New Bolton Center, he did not prevail. When the end came on Jan. 29, 2007, it was a merciful one.

“I thought Barbaro was special from the start, but it wasn’t until he was injured that I realized what an amazing horse he really was and how fortunate he was to have the team at the New Bolton Center to care for him.” said Anthony Fleischmann, President of Reeves International, Inc. Breyer’s parent company. “After the Preakness, we were inundated with mail asking us to make a model of Barbaro and I realized Breyer could both honor a great champion and do some good on behalf of Barbaro for all the thousands of horses who rely on New Bolton when they are hurt. We were honored when his owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson agreed.”

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