Edgar Prado

My Hero

Edgar Prado was born June 12^th, 1967 in Lima Peru. He is currently is living in Miami with his wife Lillian and his three children Patricia, Luis, and last but not least Edgar Jr. Edgar also won his first race ever in 1983. He then came to America three years later Edgar is known for his amazing jockey skills and being one of the top jockeys. He is also very dedicated and always determined to win and try his best.

Succeeding in Life

Some of his major accomplishments is he won two breeders cups and a triple crown, and in 2004 became the fourth jockey in history to win 5,000 races.  But even though he did these wonderful things he had a few obstacles to overcome. First his mother died from breast cancer before the Kentucky Derby, which was very hard for him. Another one that a lot of people know is that horrible accident that happened May 20^th, 2006 at the Preakness States, when the beloved Barbaro fractured three bones in and around the fetlock of his right hind leg.

The Hero

Edgar loved him so much and whenever he could he went and visited him at New Bolton Center where he underwent the surgery and healing. A trait that Edgar has that makes him a hero is sacrifice. I say this because he said, "I'm a horse lover and if something was wrong with the horse I would have scratched him; even with the Triple Crown. I would have scratched him and we would live to fight another day. Another trait I think he holds is loyalty. I believe this because once the race was over Edgar got off of Barbaro he took him into the barn to start taking care of his leg. He wouldn't talk to any reporters.  My last trait that I think Edgar shows is dedication. He showed dedication because when Barbaro was taken to New Bolton Center Edgar still came and visited him to see how he was doing. Edgar could have just went on with his life and just thought oh another racing accident. But he didn't and he knew that Barbaro needed him at that moment.  Barbaro will always be with us through healing, and love.

Why I Chose Him

I chose Edgar Prado to be my hero to write about because he is an amazing person, and a hero for being there for Barbaro and also to showing people that racing is not just for the money or the betting. It's to do what you love and that's why he does it, for the love of it.

Barbaro at New Bolton Center.