Barbaro - America's Champion
When the thoroughbred, Barbaro, stepped onto the turf of Churchill Downs on May 6, 2006, he set in motion what would become a memorable accomplishment, a national story, and an ongoing legacy that will benefit horses everywhere forever.
Barbaro won the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby by 6½ lengths, the largest winning margin in 60 years. But two weeks later, during the Preakness Stakes, the 2nd Jewel of aTriple Crown that many believed was his destiny, Barbaro shattered several bones in his right rear leg.
He was treated at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, for over eight months. Thanks to the dedication of New Bolton’s staff and this amazing horse’s strong will to live, his shattered leg was healed. Yet just before he was expected to leave New Bolton, the silent killer, laminitis, a debilitating and painful disease of the hoof, stole success from Barbaro and from all of those who had grown to love him. Having developed severe laminitis in three of his four hooves, Barbaro was humanely euthanized at New Bolton on January 29, 2007.
Because of Barbaro and his story, The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine has established The Fund to Fight Laminitis. Building on the School’s renowned reputation for animal stem cell research and equine care, this fund is being used for cutting-edge research to develop preventative and therapeutic treatments for fighting this deadly disease.
This portrait of Barbaro has been licensed by Roy & Gretchen Jackson. Due to the license agreement with them I can only offer reproductions through my website www.laurajsmith.com
You can purchase limited edition giclee’ prints, greeting cards, and holiday ornaments.
Original is 8”x10” graphite on Bristol Vellum
Mechanical Clutch Pencils almost entirely 2B
Barbaro - America's Champion belongs to the following groups:
Equine Art and Photography, Graphite Pencil Artists and Pencil Drawing (2 per 24 hrs)
Jeff Burns
stunning work
Christophe Testi
Amazing drawing! Your work is so detailed.
Lance Leopold
Simply gorgeous,Laura,this is the sort of art i can really relate to,(highly detailed animals)that shows the the true nature and character of them,wonderful work,love it!!!
Skye Davidson
Tragic ending for such a brilliant horse. Nice work, you’ve really captured his nobility here.
gaypony
tragic end to somethig so beautiful.
aneta
great work!
sasha
Handsome horse – sad tale
micmac
An amazing work of art.
Jennib
Superb pencil work Laura, I love all your work
Deborah Fuller
Awesome drawing.
Bruce Halliburton
Sad story, but superb artwork. You have surely mastered graphite!
JP100
good work, great tonal interaction and level blending and you have captured his character wonderfully. good stuff.
moonstone
this is fantastic work
jodeenmartinez
Amazing horse and an amazing drawing of him.
Weshon Hornsby
This is a very beautiful and detailed drawing.
SylviaHardy
Beautiful work!
midnightdreamer
stunning, very well done…i love drawing horses too…Barbaro you will be missed!
TFFDavid
Excellent.
Jen Whyte
Absolutely incredible work
Joseph Barbara
Laura,exceptional work.You have accomplished to make Barbaro live forever, after such a sad story, Joseph.
Adam Stone
Your artwork is incredible. I really look up to artists like yourself who dedicate themselves to intensely detailed drawings. Your entire gallery is very impressive, and this work is flawless.
mscholl21
So beautiful and well done!
Catherine Howell
WOW!!! This is a wonderful drawing.