Though Barbaro’s racing days are over, experts said the 3-year-old colt could fetch a pretty penny for breeding.
“If he’s successful, he could generate about $1 million a year, with a life expectancy of 20 to 25 years,” said Ray Paulick, editor in chief of The Blood-Horse, a weekly magazine for owners and breeders of thoroughbreds.
Paulick said studs — animals retired for breeding — are typically evaluated based on their racing record, pedigree and physical conformation, which involves examining whether the animal’s legs are straight and balanced.
“These three are all good with Barbaro,” said Paulick.
“He’s got a very good pedigree, and he’s the son of a stallion, Dynaformer, whose [stud fees go for] $100,000.”
But unlike other breeds, thoroughbreds must participate in the mating process naturally.
“Artificial insemination is not permitted, and that ankle has to be completely heeled if he’s to do stallion duty,” said Paulick.
Paulick said if Barbaro’s recovery doesn’t go well and he is humanely euthanized, his owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, would collect no less than $20 million.
“I’m sure his insurance is quite high,” he said.
One day after his six-hour operation to repair his right hind leg, Barbaro showed signs of a good recovery — standing, eating hay and demonstrating an interest in mares.
“While we do not anticipate complications, surgery is only the beginning for a horse that has undergone major surgery,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, the surgeon who performed the operation on Barbaro at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center for Large Animals in Kennett Square, Pa., in a statement posted on the university’s Web site.
Barbaro fractured his leg in three places, and during the surgery, the bones were set and will be allowed to fuse in place over time.
The horse’s injury occurred during the 131st Preakness at Pimlico Race Course, after an early break out of the gate.
Soon after the race began, the horse’s jockey, Edgar Prado, heard a pop and noticed Barbaro’s leg grotesquely jutting outward.
An equine ambulance transported the horse with a police escort to the New Bolton Center, where he was stabilized before surgery.
