Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stable’s homebred Kentucky Derby-G1 winner ORB has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Claiborne Farm in 2014. The millionaire and multiple Grade 1 winner will stand for $25,000 live foal stands and nurses.
“The decision to retire ORB was made with mixed emotions,” said co-owner Janney. “While I believe he would have had a very successful 4-year-old campaign, and Phipps Stable and I would have loved being a part of that, ORB is a wonderful stallion prospect. We look forward to supporting him and to racing his offspring.”
ORB propelled himself to the ranks of top 3-year-old thanks to a five-race winning streak that started in the fall of his 2-year-old season and culminated with an impressive 2 1/2-length win in the Kentucky Derby-G1. ORB made his stakes debut in the Fountain of Youth-G2 and, in a break-out performance, he came from off the pace to run down the favorite in the stretch and win by a half-length. In his next start, the Florida Derby-G1, ORB settled mid-pack, made a bold move on the far turn, then took the lead in the stretch to cruise home by 2 3/4 lengths. In the Kentucky Derby-G1, ORB had to overcome an awkward start and was seventeenth after three-quarters. Fifth after a mile, he began to move in the far turn going six wide, was a half-length off the lead at the top of the stretch, then drew clear for an emphatic win over the sloppy going.
“I was thoroughly amazed at the progress this colt made from January to the first Saturday in May,” said Hall-of-Fame trainer Claude R. (Shug) McGaughey. “I was quietly very confident on Derby day, and he proved without a doubt what kind of horse he was in a race of great magnitude. He is retiring completely sound, and while I’m sorry to see him move on, it seems like an opportune time for him to begin his next career.”
ORB was foaled and raised at Claiborne Farm for owner/breeders Janney and Phipps. A son of top sire Malibu Moon, who has a dozen current-year stakes winners, ORB is out of the Unbridled mare Lady Liberty. Second dam is Black-Eyed Susan-G2 winner Mesabi Maiden. ORB is from a distaff family that has been owned by the Janney family for five generations. It traces to Broodmare-of-the-Year Shenanigans, dam of the legendary Ruffian, and includes Wood Memorial-G1 winner and Kentucky Derby-G1 runner-up Private Terms. ORB earned $2,612,516 and retires with five wins and three placings from 12 starts.
“It’s exciting to have a Kentucky Derby-G1 winner coming to the farm,” said Claiborne representative Bernie Sams, “and it’s even more exciting when it’s a horse that was raised here for people like Stuart Janney and the Phippses. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
For more information contact Bernie Sams (859) 233-4252 or email [email protected].