In a world with no shortage of human heroes, a brave animal can still make a strong claim on people's affections -- and that was the case with a remarkable racehorse named Barbaro.

Barbaro, of course, was no ordinary animal. He might have been the equine representative in making a triumvirate of sporting greatness -- after golfer Tiger Woods and tennis player Roger Federer. Last May, Barbaro's dominance in winning the Kentucky Derby had horse racing enthusiasts making comparisons to the immortals of the track.

But just two weeks later in the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, the horse pulled up early with his right leg horribly fractured. On Monday, after a race to recovery that he almost won against the odds, his owners decided on the advice of their veterinary surgeon that he would never be without pain again. He was quietly euthanized.

As sad as this outcome was, especially after Barbaro had seemed so recently to be past his worst setbacks, this was undoubtedly the right decision. Just as it is wrong to put an animal down too quickly, it is also cruel to take measures that eventually serve merely to prolong suffering.

The horse had given its all, and everything that veterinary science could do had appeared to have been done. Although theoretically the same marvels worked in humans can be done on animals, an animal weighing hundreds of pounds presents its own challenges. And with the exception of TV land's famous Mr. Ed, horses can't take advice or give feedback.

As it was, Barbaro endured a number of surgeries, including the insertion of 27 screws to put his right hind leg back together and later the removal of 80 percent of his left rear hoof because of a painful condition called laminitis. Last Saturday, after a deep bruise had developed in the horse's right heel, the vet, Dr. Dean Richardson in Kennett Square, Pa., tried to relieve pressure on the right hind leg with another operation involving a plate, bars and screws.

In the end, as the vet sadly admitted, Barbaro was left "with not a good leg to stand on." The sadness of his passing was evident at the wrenching news conference, but it also extended beyond the owners and the vet to many ordinary Americans who would normally never go near a racetrack. Dr. Richardson was asked why that was. "People love greatness," he said. "People love the story of his bravery."

We would only add: A horse is a horse, of course, of course -- but a champ is a champ.