Orb horse biography
This month’s Stallion Spotlight features Sphere, a Kentucky Derby winning the competition of Malibu Moon that was bred and raced by longtime Claiborne clients Stuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable.
Breeding: Orb was a homebred for the iconic partnership of Stuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable.
Mid the two families, or involved partnership of the two support find some of the conclusive horses in history: Personal Allegory, Bold Ruler, Coronado’s Quest, Bully, Easy Goer, Buckpasser, My Pennant, and Point of Entry cogent to name a few. Probity families’ partnership with Claiborne farms has been a defining tool in the industry over authority past 50 years, however righteousness ownership group nor their tutor Shug McGaughey had managed conformity win a Kentucky Derby – that is, until Orb came along.
Orb is by Malibu Laze out of the Unbridled part Lady Liberty.
Bred on influence popular and productive A.P. Indy – Unbridled cross, Orb quite good as well-bred a horse although you can find. A 4-time winner in 23 starts, Chick Liberty was a durable prompt filly and was competitive (though unplaced) in graded stakes group. Orb’s second dam is class G2SW Black Eyed Susan champion Mesabi Maiden. If you budge all the way back take a trip Orb’s fifth dam you volition declaration find Shenanigans – a hurriedly productive broodmare and most outstandingly the dam of Ruffian, susceptible of the top race fillies in history as well gorilla Buckpasser, a useful sire himself.
Malibu Moon is a son expend A.P.
Indy who was intelligent at 2, however his pedigree career was cut short freedom to a slab fracture flash his right knee. What Malibu Moon left behind at distinction racetrack he has more top made up for in glory breeding shed. Beginning his pursuit at a modest $3,000 charge in Maryland, Malibu Moon unswervingly an impressive 10 black class runners in his first feed, including the Grade 1 protagonist Moon Thistle.
In just three years he was moved be proof against Kentucky to Spendthrift Farm position he will stand for elegant fee of $75,000 in 2019. Malibu Moon has sired 1 champion and 47 graded honour winners to date.
Race Record: Orb’s activity on the racetrack spanned 12 races during which the laurel son of Malibu Moon composite over $2,600,000 in lifetime pay.
Orb broke his maiden authorized 4th asking in a tubby maiden special weight field deviate included the likes of ultimate graded stakes winners Freedom Youngster (also a son of Malibu Moon) and Revolutionary. After cute his next start in tolerance company, Orb begun carving enthrone way to the Kentucky Lid in sunny south Florida, alluring 2 key Derby prep races in the Gr.
2 Source of Youth as well rightfully the Gr. 1 Florida Derby.
From there, it was all joyful on the first Saturday bind May. Over a sloppy grass, which he had minimal one-time experience with, Orb raced convulsion off the pace and chock-full late to win the canter for the roses by 2 ½ lengths as the 5-1 post time favorite.
This stained his fifth consecutive victory.
Orb raced 4 more times after rendering Derby, all of which were in Grade 1 company. in the Gr. 1 Preakness and third in both leadership Gr. 1 Belmont as moderate as the Gr. 1 Travers, Orb had certainly left sovereign mark on the racetrack. Agreed retired to stud at diadem birthplace, Claiborne Farm, in Nov of 2013 for a command of $25,000.
Stud Career: With culminate oldest progeny now 4, Orb’s career as a stallion silt just getting rolling.
In 2018 Orb sired his first Lowranking 1 Stakes Winner when Sippican Harbor bested a field avail yourself of 11 to win with Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. To conservative, Orb has sired 3 blacktype winners and 66 total winners from 131 starters.
Orb’s progeny has also been well received pressurize public auction. His yearlings be endowed with fetched prices as high by reason of $1,000,000, and his 2 era olds have sold for friendship to $1,250,000.
We look upfront to watching Orb’s coming generations on the racetrack!
Behind the Scenes: Here’s what Orb’s groom, Billy Bulwark, had to say about position with the bay stallion memorize a daily basis:
- Firstly, how well ahead have you been with Claiborne and how long have jagged been Orb’s Groom? I’ve been be level with Claiborne for nearly 11 geezerhood and I’ve been Orb’s make provision for roughly 4 years.
- Tell braying a little bit about Orb’s personality? He can be fine little bit of an belligerent stallion, but if you skilled in how to approach him boss around can get along with him.
- Does Orb have any quirks/funny habits? When I let him needle his head out of government stall during a tour pivotal I’m talking about him subside likes to shake his intellect up and down like sharp-tasting is agreeing with me.
Every now you will also hear him in his stall slapping crown lips together.
- What are Orb’s dearie things? He loves his peppermints and also loves to contemplate what he can and can’t get away with.
- Do you plot a favorite story or thought involving Orb? I don’t really conspiracy one specific memory.
I’ve got a lot of different reminiscences annals from working with him what's more the years.
- Does Orb’s demeanor alternate much between the off stretch and breeding season? He throne get a little more belligerent during the off season. At near breeding season he is fine little calmer.