In a stunning display of resilience, the five-year-old American-bred bay horse Barnaby captured the prestigious Lloyd Lindbergh “Lindy” Delapenha Memorial Trophy on February 8, 2026. The victory marked an extraordinary comeback following a challenging six-month layoff that nearly ended the thoroughbred’s racing career.
Under the expert guidance of champion jockey Raddesh “Sneaky Fox” Roman, Barnaby demonstrated remarkable determination in the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward. The pair executed a perfectly timed maneuver in the final stretch, overtaking stablemate Neo Star by three-parts of a length to complete the one-mile (1,600m) course in 1:39.2. Rainsville secured third position in the $1.25-million event.
The emotional triumph brought trainer Anthony “Baba” Nunes to tears as he witnessed his charge’s victorious return. “The victory represents far more than just winning—it symbolizes Barnaby’s incredible journey back to competitive racing,” Nunes expressed, his voice filled with palpable emotion. “We faced the very real possibility of losing him six months ago. Simply having him return to the track constituted a personal victory for our entire team.”
Jockey Roman praised the colt’s exceptional performance despite encountering difficulties during the race. “Barnaby possesses that special quality of delivering his best when it matters most,” Roman noted. “Although we experienced some interference that affected his stride, his response when asked for maximum effort in the final stretch was nothing short of extraordinary.”
The victory celebration highlighted the dedication of Nunes’ training team and the support of multiple owners, including Mr. Kerr, who owns stablemate Neo Star. The race demonstrated the depth of talent within Nunes’ stable and the extraordinary bond between thoroughbred athletes and their caretakers.