Noble Bird Retired, to Stand at Ocala Stud
Image:
Description:
Photo: Leslie Martin
Noble Bird at Gulfstream Park ahead of the Pegasus Invitational World Cup in January
Grade 1-winning millionaire Noble Bird has been retired from racing and will take up stud duty in 2018 at Ocala Stud in Florida. A fee will be announced at a later date.
"Noble Bird is a grade 1 winner that was fast enough to run Beyers (Speed Figures) of 110, 109, and 108 and set a track record at a prestigious racetrack like Keeneland, where he still holds the 1 1/8-mile mark on dirt," said Ocala Stud's J. Michael O'Farrell. "He's another tremendous stallion prospect from the racing program of owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse, and we're excited to have the opportunity to stand him. Physically, Noble Bird is a handsome, grand-looking horse, and I believe breeders are going to like him."
Noble Bird scored his biggest career victory in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs in 2015, defeating grade 1 winners Lea , Hoppertunity, and Majestic Harbor in 1:47.94 for 1 1/8 miles. The performance earned him a 108 Beyer.
Last year, Noble Bird scored a 11 1/4-length win in the Pimlico Special Handicap (G3), earning a 110 Beyer Speed Figure—the fastest recorded around two turns on dirt during the first half of 2016. The final time of 1:55.18 for 1 3/16 miles proved to be more than three seconds faster than Exaggerator 's winning time in the Preakness Stakes (G1) a day later.
Noble Bird closed out 2016 with back-to-back wins in the Lukas Classic Stakes at Churchill and Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. In the latter, he added a track record to his résumé, winning the Fayette by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:47.75, setting a new record for 1 1/8 miles at the track that still stands. Noble Bird earned a 109 Beyer for the performance, giving him a trio of Beyers of 108 or higher for his career.
By Birdstone , Noble Bird retires with a record of 7-4-0 from 23 starts and lifetime earnings of $1,327,945. He is out of the Tiznow mare Anyhow, and his third dam is graded stakes winner Noble Damsel.
Noble Bird, who will stand as property of John Oxley & Ocala Stud, is now available for inspection.