"Mine That Bird" is the little horse that could. Sired by Birdstone (winner of the 2004 Belmont Stakes) and with Mining My Own as his mare, Mine That Bird “Bird” was born small and with splayed legs. His genetics didn't stop the spirited young horse from pursuing his racing heritage.
Trainer David Cotey purchased Mine That Bird and moved him to Canada where he and his partners raced the gelding at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. After winning four of six starts, Bird was voted the 2008 Canadian Champion two-year-old Male Horse. Unable to race Bird in Canada as a three year old, Mr. Cotey sold the Champion Horse to the New Mexico partnership of Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine.
Bird’s new owners brought in U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer, Richard Mandella to train Bird for the 2008 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile. Bird’s return to the U.S. ended in a last place finish. It was at this point that Chip Woolley was brought on as his trainer, and Bird proceeded to place second in the Borderland Derby and fourth in the Sunland Derby.
Coming off of these places and based on his career earnings in graded stakes races, Bird now qualified for the Kentucky Derby. With a broken foot and a cast on his leg, Woolley loaded Mine That Bird into a horse trailer pulled by his pickup truck and drove the 1,700 miles in 21 hours from New Mexico to get to the big race.
Arriving at Churchill Downs, Bird was introduced to his new Jockey, Calvin Borel. The two hit it off quite well, proceeding to make Derby History in the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Books Showcase the 135th KY Derby Winner Story
Roswell, N.M. – January 5, 2012 – The amazing story of the 135th Kentucky Derby Winner Mine That Bird continues to inspire people across the globe. The owners of Mine That Bird have decided to direct the positive story of “anything’s possible” toward children with a three-part story of the horse’s remarkable journey to the top.
Picked to run dead last, with odds against him at 50:1, Mine That Bird’s victory is the second largest upset in Kentucky Derby history. The second book in the trilogy, “In the Stretch,” was written by Rod McCall and Price Hall. The book is being self-published by Mine That Bird The Movie, LLC. The 48-page story is the second in a trilogy of graphic novels that depicts Mine That Bird's life, challenges and victories. The books will also be the basis for an animated film.
“The second book focuses on the Bird’s rough beginnings, when no one thought he’d amount to anything,” said one of the horse’s owners Mark Allen. “So many young people feel this way, and our mission with this book is to show them that with the right attitude, anyone can be a champion.”
As part of the books roll out, the owners are giving people the chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Roswell, NM, meet Mine That Bird and be a jockey for a day. The winner, and the winner’s companion, will be flown to Roswell, New Mexico. They will receive VIP treatment, which includes spending an entire day with Mine That Bird, and then chow down at the Double Eagle Ranch with the Bird’s down home cowboy owners for a big western style “cowboy bar-b-q”. If you’re the winner you’ll find out in person what it’s like to live the life of a horse-racing rancher, train a winner, and ride him to victory. To register for the contest, go to www.minethatbird.com
“Mine That Bird is a true story of hope, determination and victory against the odds. That’s what makes it so compelling,” added “Doc” Blach the horse’s other owner.
In The Stretch is available for only $12.95. For more information on Mine That Bird, the books and the contest, go to www.MineThatBird.com. Also follow Mine That Bird at www.facebook.com/minethatbirdthemovie and Twitter: @minethatbirdnm.
BackRead books 1 and 2 of the
MINE THAT BIRD TRILOGY:
At The Gate
&IN THE STRETCH
by Rod McCall and Price Hall
Illustrated by Rod McCall
