Mark Allen goes where he goes, 2009 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brand Winner (G1) Mining that bird .
While most other Derby winners dropped out of school after their racing careers, gelding Mine That Bird has persisted in the lives of co-owners Allen and Leonard “Doc” Blach since the fight lightning in 2009 in Louisville, Ky, and in 2010 retired from racing.
Today, Mine That Bird is working with Allen in a similar role as a pony at HV Ranch near Lone Oak, Texas, where the owner is supporting trainer Rosa Ramirez. While Mine That Bird may not be a traditional pony, this is Allen’s chance to stand by his Derby winner.
“He’s a pretty good pony but he still wants to race them,” says Allen, noting that Mine That Bird doesn’t associate with any horses that go out on the track but on foot. with them with Allen on the train. “So really, I just ride him around and let him watch the horses. He likes to see things going. He’s very smart; I love that horse.
“He was so smooth. The day before he beat me, and he was so smooth it was really fun,” 63-year-old Allen said of his 16-year-old classics winner. “I just like to ride him around, let him stretch his legs a bit, make him feel like a big horse.”
In 2009, Mine That Bird gave Derby a shock when he recovered from last place in the field 19 early – 21 backs – to score a 6 3/4 win at 50-1 odds. The railroad ride of Jockey Calvin Borel, cowboy coach Chip Woolley, owners and nasty winners of Mine That Bird — today, winning the third big Derby by $103.20 la — was commemorated in the 2014 film “50 to 1”
Mine That Bird won the 2009 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Mine That Bird continued to thrive in the spring of 2009. The son of Birdstone finished second in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1), where he beat all the male competitors but finished after a short period of time. Rachel Alexandra —Who won the title of Horse of the Year in 2009. Thereafter, Mine That Bird placed third in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
After racing at the age of 4 with Hall of Fame coach D. Wayne Lukas, Mine That Bird retired. He soon settled on Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch, located near Blach’s residence in Roswell, NM. Besides enjoying farm life, Mine That Bird will welcome fans — as well as tourists. curious schedule to visit the nearby UFO Museum — until Allen sells the farm in 2020 Allen says Mine That Bird has been in his current role for about 18 months.
Blach said: “Right up until the day he went with Mark to the track, we would have one or two visitors come see him every week. “It’s something to watch. He loves people.”
Ramirez asks for Allen’s horses. And while Allen was supporting the young coach; he stresses that Ramirez doesn’t need much help – she’s training the horses.
“I think she’s going to be a great coach,” Allen said. “They let me hang around and I gave them a few pointers…suggestions about preparing for a race and things like that; but they didn’t need much help.”
In 2013, Mine That Bird briefly served as a resident of the Kentucky Derby Museum, but he spent most of his retirement with Allen. Both owners agree it’s special to have a Derby winner with them all these years.
“For me, having him in my life is everything,” Allen said. “He’s done so much for me. I just can’t tell you how much I love him.”
Co-owner Mark Allen aboard Mine That Bird
Allen still returns to Roswell and visits Blach regularly, providing updates on their favorite horse.
“I used to go see (Mine That Bird) reality every day when he was on the farm because he was right across the street from where I was. I always went there and met him; gave him a mint. “, 88-year-old Blach, who retired from veterinary practice. “He got so used to me doing that over a period of years, that when I drove there in my pickup, he would see me and stand there and look at me with his eyes. his until I parked the car and came over to visit.
“I got out of the pickup and said, ‘Come here, Bird,’ and he would walk over to the fence. He knew he was going to get a mint or two.”
In the May 2022 edition, BloodHorse The magazine will update many retired Kentucky Derby winners in a special issue with in-depth stories related to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. To subscribe to the traditional print edition or the fast-coming digital package, click this.
