A jockey autograph session to benefit the Barbaro Fund for Equine Health and Safety Research and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund will be held Saturday, June 26, at Belmont Park.
The event, from 11 a.m.-noon will be hosted by Pfizer Animal Health, which has made a donation to the Barbaro Fund for Equine Health and Safety Research.The autograph session will take place at Belmont’s ground floor grandstand colonnade.There is no charge for autographs, though a donation of $5 is suggested. On sale for $2 each, while supplies last, will be the blue "Riding with Barbaro" wristbands that have been out of circulation since 2007 when more than 90,000 were sold.
Also at Belmont Park that day, Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, will be in the winner’s circle following the third race to accept a $37,276 final disbursement from the NTRA Charities – Barbaro Memorial Fund.
According to a release from NYRA, the NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund disbursed almost $400,000 in support of scientific conferences, research programs and a half-dozen research projects, all focused on finding a cure for laminitis. The Barbaro Fund for Equine Health and Safety Research will now replace the NTRA Charities – Barbaro Memorial Fund and become the primary fundraising arm of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance for equine health and safety research, according to the release.
Bred and raced by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and sustained a broken leg in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). Richardson provided surgical treatment and other veterinary care for Barbaro at the New Bolton Center following his injury, and the colt’s valiant attempt at survival made national news. In January 2007 Barbaro died as a result of the effects of laminitis.
"The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance is proud to be a part of Barbaro’s enduring legacy on behalf of all Thoroughbreds," said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA. "We especially appreciate the support of Roy and Gretchen Jackson in the creation of this new fund. We also thank Belmont Park and the Belmont jockey colony for making this day possible."
