Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby! The front of the venue features a statue of a racer mid-stride. “Barbaro will be remembered for his six, first-place finishes, including the 2006 Kentucky Derby which he dominated by 6 1/2 lengths. Two short weeks later … he shattered his leg in the Preakness. The heroic struggle that followed created a swell of national attention and support for this racing champion. The memorial … celebrates Barbaro’s courage in the face of a year-long struggle against his injury and the resulting infections. … The bronze statue … showcases Barbarao and jockey Edgar Prado in mid-flight between strides nearing the finish line in the 2006 Kentucky Derby. … Barbaro’s ashes were interred beneath the memorial.”
Through the gift shop there is a lovely courtyard with a small paddock in the back housing the resident thoroughbred Twinspired, who ran in the 2011 Kentucky Derby, and resident mini-horse Winston, a brown gelding.
“Welcome to the Kentucky Derby Walk of Champions, the final resting place for a group of past Derby winners. Typically … only the head, heart, & hooves are laid to rest. The head represents the will to win. The heart represents courage. The hooves represent speed. Rarely is a horse buried whole. This honor is reserved for especially distinguished champions. Three horses who have received this honor are: Secretariat … Man O’War … & Seattle Slew.” The Walk of Champions includes Brokers Tip, Swaps, Carry Back, Dust Commander, and Sunny’s Halo.