HBO Sports presents Barbaro, a compelling documentary exploring the triumph and tragedy of the remarkable thoroughbred that captured the public’s imagination last year after his showing at the Kentucky Derby.  Premiering three days before the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of racing’s illustrious Triple Crown, the exclusive special debuts Wednesday, June 6 (10:00 p.m. ET/PT & 9:00 p.m. CT), on HBO.  This film is produced by the same production team that will be receiving a George F. Peabody Award on June 4th for their work on the 2006 HBO presentation “Billie Jean King: Portrait of a Pioneer.”

Tracing Barbaro’s significant accomplishments and harrowing setbacks, this stirring presentation revisits his shattering leg injury at the 2006 Preakness Stakes and subsequent medical treatments, as well as the resolute character of his eternally optimistic owners and trainer.

“The story of Barbaro is extraordinarily dramatic,” said Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports.  “The film looks at this engaging animal’s will to survive and the deep love affair that many of us have with horses.”

With the cooperation of Barbaro’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, BARBARO explores the many facets of the story, including the exceptional compassion displayed by trainer Michael Matz, whose selfless behavior was previously witnessed during the 1989 plane crash of United Flight 232 in Iowa, as well as the uncommon trust between Matz and the Jacksons.

Barbaro captures his spectacular victory and promising future; the heartbreaking events two weeks later at Pimlico; and the challenging medical procedures used to try and save the horse’s life.  Despite the odds, the Jacksons remained amazingly dedicated and never relinquished hope, with the medical expertise of Dr. Dean Richardson enabling Barbaro to survive in the wake of his accident.  On Jan. 29, 2007, however, Barbaro’s valiant struggle came to an end when he was euthanized after the pain from his injuries and subsequent surgeries became too great to sustain.

Sports Illustrated wrote that Barbaro’s Kentucky Derby triumph “was one of those rare moments in racing that reveal unmistakable greatness…For a little more than two minutes on one of the grandest stages in all of sport, Barbaro was brilliant and memorable.”

The documentary uses archival footage and revealing interviews with owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson to chronicle Barbaro’s story.  Additional interviewees include: trainer Michael Matz and assistant trainer Peter Brette; jockey Edgar Prado; Dr. Dean Richardson; journalists William Nack, Dick Jerardi and Andrew Beyer; and the Pimlico track emergency medical team.

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