Jackson promotes anti-slaughter bill

Gretchen Jackson, the breeder and owner of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro with her husband, Roy, is lending her support to anti-slaughter legislation currently in the U.S. Congress.

Jackson joined Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito and prominent owner and breeder Arthur Hancock III in a teleconference to promote passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. The bill, HR 503, currently is in the Energy and Commerce Committee, according to Chris Heyde of the National Horse Protection Coalition.

Jackson said that she and her husband have eight of their former runners in retirement at their Lael Farm in Pennsylvania.

"Some are riding horses, and some aren't even up to that, and some are more than 20 years old," she said. "I just felt that when you own and breed a horse that is yours, it's your responsibility to care for that horse."