LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 11, 2013) – Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, will make the Kentucky Derby Museum his home during the spring meet at Churchill Downs this year.
This is the first time the Kentucky Derby Museum has had a Kentucky Derby winner stabled on the grounds to greet the thousands of Derby enthusiasts.
“As most Derby winners retire to stud, the opportunity to share a legendary horse with the fans at the museum is rare,” said Lynn Ashton, executive director at the Kentucky Derby Museum. “However, as a gelding and a fan favorite with his 50-1 long-shot win, Mine That Bird is a great fit for all involved.”
After winning the Kentucky Derby with rail-skimming jockey Calvin Borel, Mine That Bird went on to run second in the Preakness and third in the last leg of the Triple Crown, the 2009 Belmont stakes.
A movie about the Mine That Bird story, called “50-1,” has wrapped filming and is in the editing stages with director/producer Jim Wilson. Capturing the stories of each of the members of the team along with the storied drive to Kentucky by trainer Chip Woolley, the movie highlights the unique blend of circumstances that led them to unexpected victory in the Kentucky Derby.
Mine That Bird retired in the fall of 2010 and has been stabled in New Mexico at co-owner Mark Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch. He is expected to arrive at the Derby Museum on April 15 as the resident Thoroughbred and will stay through July 4.
“Mark and I think the Derby Museum is a great fit for Bird. He loves people and he deserves the attention as a Derby winner,” said co-owner Dr. Leonard Blach. “He’s had a nice break on the ranch but with the upcoming movie, we want to give him the star treatment.”
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