BIRDSTONE
2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone raced as a homebred for Marylou Whitney Stables. Trained by Nick Zito, he won his first start with Edgar Prado riding and capped off a lightly raced two year old campaign with a victory in the Champagne Stakes (G1) with Jerry Bailey up. At three he competed in the 2004 Kentucky Derby but skipped the Preakness. On Belmont day he and Edgar Prado settled in toward the back, sat chilly while Derby and Preakness took the lead, then just when it looked like Smarty might win the Triple Crown, Birdstone came flying in the final stretch to win the Belmont. That summer he accomplished a similar feat in a rainy 2004 Travers Stakes (G1). He retired with five wins in nine starts and $1,575,600 earnings. At stud at Gainesway Farm, Birdstone sired 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, 2009 Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird, 2015 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) winner Noble Bird and other stakes winners. He retired to Old Friends in August 2020. Old Friends is grateful to John Hendrickson for entrusting us with the care of superlative racehorse and sire of classic winners, Birdstone.
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BIRDSTONE
- Born:
- May 16, 2001
- Color:
- Bay
- State Bred:
- KY
- Owner:
- Marylou Whitney Stables
- Breeder:
- Marylou Whitney Stables
- Trainer:
- Nick Zito
Winnings:
9 Starts: 5 - 0 - 0, $1,575,600
Racing History:
At 2: 1st Champagne S. (G1,Bel,8.5f)
At 3: 1st Belmont S. (G1,12f), Travers S. (G1,Sar,10f)
At Stud:
Entered stud in 2005 at Gainesway Farm, Ky
Sired two classic winners in his first crop: Mine That Bird & Summer Bird
Sired 22 stakes winners, 10 graded stakes winners, 3 champions
Joined Old Friends:
2020
