Summer Bird
Encyclopedia
Summer Bird is a retired American Thoroughbred
racehorse
, son of 2004 Belmont Stakes
winner Birdstone
. He was bred by retired cardiologist Kalarikkal Jayaraman and his wife, retired pathologist Vilasini Jayaraman, at their Tiffany Farm near Ocala, Florida
. On June 3rd 2010, it was announced that Summer Bird would be retired due to complications of a previous injury, he will stand at Pauls Mill Farm near Versailles, Ky.
, the third leg of the U.S. Triple Crown
, in which Kentucky Derby
winner and Preakness Stakes
runner-up Mine That Bird
was favored. The win was the second of his five start career, and followed a third in the Arkansas Derby
and a sixth in the Kentucky Derby
.
After the Belmont he was sent to Monmouth Park, New Jersey
to prep for the Haskell Invitational. When champion female Rachel Alexandra
was also entered, his connections did not back down and he finished a solid second to the rising star, verifying his win in the Belmont.
to compete in the prestigious Travers Stakes
. The colt's handlers still kept him in when Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird
was also entered and they stayed in when Rachel Alexandra
was a possible contender. Both horses were taken out of the race, Mine That Bird because of throat surgery and Rachel Alexandra being entered in the Woodward Stakes
against older males the week after the Travers including Quality Road
, a horse that had been the favorite for the Kentucky Derby in April but had been taken out of the race and been on a lay off. Summer Bird took the lead in the Travers Stakes over Kensei at the quarter pole and never looked back, holding off a late closing longshot, Hold Me Back to win and earn his second Grade 1 victory on a sloppy track. Quality Road finished third. Summer Bird then went on to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on October 3, 2009. He was the first horse in over 20 years to win all three prestigious races in New York. He then finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic
behind champion mare Zenyatta
at Santa Anita Park
on November 7, 2009, as the third betting choice at 6-1. He is now being pointed towards the Japan Cup Dirt
. Unfortunately, during a recent workout he showed signs of distress and pulled up lame. He did not race in the Japan Cup, due to a condylar fracture in his right foreleg.
On February 9, 2010, owners K.K. and Vilasini Jayaraman transferred Summer Bird, along with five other horses, to trainer Tim Ritchey
. Summer Bird has been undergoing rehabilition from surgery following a condylar fracture to his right foreleg. Currently at Oaklawn Park
, Summer Bird may possibly resume training in mid-March.
for a fee of $15,000. His first crop of foals (2012) will begin racing in 2014.
to do so. On his sire's side, he is also descended from 1964 Triple Crown contender Northern Dancer
. His dam, Hong Kong Squall, was sired by Summer Squall
, giving Summer Bird relation to 1999 Triple Crown contender Charismatic
, and making him a descendant of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat
. His dam's mother, Hong Kong Jade, gives him descent from 1987 Triple Crown contender Alysheba
and, thus, Alydar
, the horse that finished second in all three Triple Crown races to Affirmed
in 1978. Hong Kong Squall died May 20, 2010, after giving birth to a full sister to Summer Bird. http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2010/june/10/dam-of-summer-bird-dies-at-age-14.aspx
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, son of 2004 Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
winner Birdstone
Birdstone
Birdstone is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2004 Belmont Stakes and is gaining notoriety as a fantastic sire....
. He was bred by retired cardiologist Kalarikkal Jayaraman and his wife, retired pathologist Vilasini Jayaraman, at their Tiffany Farm near Ocala, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
. On June 3rd 2010, it was announced that Summer Bird would be retired due to complications of a previous injury, he will stand at Pauls Mill Farm near Versailles, Ky.
Belmont Stakes
Raced by his breeders, Summer Bird won the 2009 Belmont Stakes2009 Belmont Stakes
The 2009 Belmont Stakes was the 141st running of the Belmont Stakes. The race took place on June 6, 2009, and was televised on ABC and ESPN360.com. The value of the race was $1,000,000 in stakes. Post time was 6:19 p.m. EST...
, the third leg of the U.S. Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
, in which Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
winner and Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
runner-up Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird is a retired American racehorse. He is best known for being one of only nine geldings to win the Kentucky Derby, and the second gelding to win the race since 1929...
was favored. The win was the second of his five start career, and followed a third in the Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
and a sixth in the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
.
After the Belmont he was sent to Monmouth Park, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
to prep for the Haskell Invitational. When champion female Rachel Alexandra
Rachel Alexandra
Rachel Alexandra is a retired American Thoroughbred filly racehorse and the 2009 Horse of the Year. She is renowned as the May 16, 2009 Preakness Stakes winner, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the first filly to win the race in 85 years history...
was also entered, his connections did not back down and he finished a solid second to the rising star, verifying his win in the Belmont.
Travers Stakes
Summer Bird was then taken to Saratoga Race CourseSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
to compete in the prestigious Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
. The colt's handlers still kept him in when Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird is a retired American racehorse. He is best known for being one of only nine geldings to win the Kentucky Derby, and the second gelding to win the race since 1929...
was also entered and they stayed in when Rachel Alexandra
Rachel Alexandra
Rachel Alexandra is a retired American Thoroughbred filly racehorse and the 2009 Horse of the Year. She is renowned as the May 16, 2009 Preakness Stakes winner, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the first filly to win the race in 85 years history...
was a possible contender. Both horses were taken out of the race, Mine That Bird because of throat surgery and Rachel Alexandra being entered in the Woodward Stakes
Woodward Stakes
The Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, George Nicholas Woodward, it is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for a purse of $750,000.The Woodward was run as a handicap in...
against older males the week after the Travers including Quality Road
Quality Road
Quality Road is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by Edward P. Evans, his sire is World record setter, Elusive Quality, who also sired 2004 Kentucky Derby/Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones and 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Raven's Pass...
, a horse that had been the favorite for the Kentucky Derby in April but had been taken out of the race and been on a lay off. Summer Bird took the lead in the Travers Stakes over Kensei at the quarter pole and never looked back, holding off a late closing longshot, Hold Me Back to win and earn his second Grade 1 victory on a sloppy track. Quality Road finished third. Summer Bird then went on to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on October 3, 2009. He was the first horse in over 20 years to win all three prestigious races in New York. He then finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
behind champion mare Zenyatta
Zenyatta
Zenyatta is a retired American champion Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career and American record-holder for consecutive victories without defeat in unrestricted races....
at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
on November 7, 2009, as the third betting choice at 6-1. He is now being pointed towards the Japan Cup Dirt
Japan Cup Dirt
The Japan Cup Dirt is a race usually run a week after the Japan Cup.- Race Information :* Racecourse: Hanshin Racecourse* Distance: 1,800 meters The Japan Cup Dirt (JPN G-1) is a race usually run a week after the Japan Cup.- Race Information :* Racecourse: Hanshin Racecourse* Distance: 1,800...
. Unfortunately, during a recent workout he showed signs of distress and pulled up lame. He did not race in the Japan Cup, due to a condylar fracture in his right foreleg.
On February 9, 2010, owners K.K. and Vilasini Jayaraman transferred Summer Bird, along with five other horses, to trainer Tim Ritchey
Timothy F. Ritchey
Timothy F. "Tim" Ritchey is an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He is best known as the trainer of Afleet Alex, a 2005 winner of two American Classic Races, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes....
. Summer Bird has been undergoing rehabilition from surgery following a condylar fracture to his right foreleg. Currently at Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked...
, Summer Bird may possibly resume training in mid-March.
Stud Career
Summerbird was retired to stud in 2011 and currently stands at Pauls Mill in Versailles, KentuckyVersailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
for a fee of $15,000. His first crop of foals (2012) will begin racing in 2014.
Pedigree
Summer Bird joined Mine That Bird as the second foal of Birdstone to win a Triple Crown race, and becomes the second third-generation descendant of UnbridledUnbridled
Unbridled was a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse.The colt was sired by Fappiano , by Mr. Prospector, and his dam Gana Facil, by Le Fabuleux. Unbridled retired with a career record of 8 wins, 6 places and 6 shows in 24 starts, and $4,489,475 in career earnings...
to do so. On his sire's side, he is also descended from 1964 Triple Crown contender Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
. His dam, Hong Kong Squall, was sired by Summer Squall
Summer Squall
Summer Squall is an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by Storm Bird, who in turn was a son of 1964 U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt Northern Dancer, "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history." His dam was Weekend Surprise, a daughter of the great U.S. Triple Crown...
, giving Summer Bird relation to 1999 Triple Crown contender Charismatic
Charismatic (horse)
Charismatic is a stallion Thoroughbred horse, and is known as one of the closest challengers to the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing since the last winner, Affirmed, accomplished the feat in 1978. He was trained by D. Wayne Lukas, and famously ridden in the Triple Crown races by Chris Antley...
, and making him a descendant of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat
Secretariat (horse)
Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, that in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby , and the Belmont Stakes —records that still stand today.Secretariat was sired by Bold...
. His dam's mother, Hong Kong Jade, gives him descent from 1987 Triple Crown contender Alysheba
Alysheba
Alysheba was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won two legs of the Triple Crown in 1987. A successful sire, he produced 11 stakes winners....
and, thus, Alydar
Alydar
Alydar was a chestnut colt and an American thoroughbred race horse who was most famous for finishing a close second to Affirmed in all three races of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a feat not achieved before or repeated since.-Racing career:Trained by John M...
, the horse that finished second in all three Triple Crown races to Affirmed
Affirmed
Affirmed was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the eleventh and most recent winner of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing...
in 1978. Hong Kong Squall died May 20, 2010, after giving birth to a full sister to Summer Bird. http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2010/june/10/dam-of-summer-bird-dies-at-age-14.aspx