Barbaro brings out the best in everyone involved in racing and breeding .

Horse racing is an extreme sport. Its highs can exceed all expectations, while its lows can plumb nearly unimaginable depths. But we didn’t have to imagine this time: We were on hand every dramatic step of the way. We joined Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Michael Matz and Barbaro for the roller coaster ride that was May. After all, we in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware had claimed the Jacksons, Matz and Barbaro as our own. They were the home team.

Reality demonstrates to us again and again that racing Thoroughbreds is difficult, and that breeding them is arduous. While the odds are against success, racing and breeding can nonetheless be deeply satisfying, regardless of the outcome. However, a central dilemma exists in these endeavors: Horses are so very competitive and yet so extremely fragile. They want to race and, ultimately, they want to win. We know that. That is why we are in this business. The people who breed, own and train Thoroughbreds are also competitive; they also want to win. And they are remarkably compassionate. They love the horses whom they have watched wobble to their feet after birth, seen race across open fields as weanlings and yearlings, and cheered on at the race track.

Racing and breeding Thoroughbreds is not for the faint of heart. These activities require dedication and commitment and, first and foremost, a love for the animals. The goal is to breed, own and race the best horse. Of course, things often do not go according to plan, and when things go awry, the resulting circumstances are nearly always vivid with emotions both visceral and right on the surface. We know that when things go right it can produce feelings of elation like nothing else; we also know that when things go wrong it can bring the strongest among us to our knees.

We know because we watched and cheered in this year’s Kentucky Derby. Then we watched and gasped in horror at the Preakness that followed two weeks later. What occurred in the Preakness tested us all. You and I, everyone at the track, on the farms and in front of televisions were immediately living the emotions of the moment. Our prayers were with Barbaro and his connections, but our thoughts returned to our own familiar losses. We ached with concern and, later, we cried with relief.

We love horses or we would not be involved in this business. We often spend more time with horses than we do with family members. We feed them and bathe them and worry about them when they are ill. Ultimately, we hope that Barbaro becomes the symbol of what is right about racing and breeding Thoroughbreds.