As we rev up on the road to the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1), it seems like a good time to celebrate the 20 winners who are still with us, either as stallions, in training, or fully retired at farms in Kentucky and Japan, Turkey and Uruguay, New Mexico and New York, and Oregon and Pennsylvania.
We salute the oldest living Derby winner, 29-year-old Silver Charm, retired to Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky. The 1997 Derby winner, the first of six trained by Bob Baffert, went on to win the Preakness but was beaten by Touch Gold by three-quarters of a length in his bid for the Triple Crown.
After his 5-year-old campaign, Silver Charm was retired to Three Chimneys Farm with a stud fee of $25,000. In 2004, he was purchased by the Japanese Breeders Association. He remained in Japan until 2014 when he was returned to Old Friends and permanently retired. He turns 30 in 2024.
Rich Strike, the 2022 Derby winner at 80-1 odds, was set to be auctioned, but with a new trainer in Bill Mott, the soon-to-be 5-year-old could return to the races as early as January in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Mage, the 2023 Derby winner was recently retired and standing for $25,000 at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Ky.
Kentucky Derby Royalty: Where the Champions Stand Today
Here’s a look at the Derby winners still with us:
Mage (2023): Retired to stud at Airdrie Studd in Midway, Ky.; Will stand his first season for a fee of $25,000, live foal.
Rich Strike (2022): In light training.
Mandaloun (2021): Declared the Derby winner after first-place finisher Medina Spirit was disqualified; standing for $25,000 at Juddmonte, USA, Lexington, Ky.
Authentic (2020): Baffert’s sixth Derby winner standing for $50,000 at Spendthrift Farm, Lexington, Ky.
Country House (2019): Declared the Derby winner after first-place finisher Maximum Security was disqualified; standing for $7,500 at Darby Dan Farm, Lexington, Ky.
Justify (2018): Triple Crown winner standing for $200,000 at Ashford Stud in 2024, double the fee from 2023.
Always Dreaming (2017): Standing for $5,000 at WinStar Farm, Versailles, Ky.
Nyquist (2016): Standing for $85,000 at Darley America, Lexington, Ky.
American Pharoah (2015): Triple Crown winner standing for $50,000 at Ashford Stud, Lexington, Ky.
California Chrome (2014): Standing for $35,000 at Arrow Stud, Hokkaido, Japan.
Orb (2013): Stud fee unknown; standing at Haras Quatro Piedras, Progreso, Canelones, Uruguay.
I’ll Have Another (2012): Standing for $10,000 at Ocean Breeze Ranch, Bonsall, Calif.
Animal Kingdom (2011): Standing for $8,500 at Jiba Shizunai Stallion Station, Hokkaido, Japan.
Super Saver (2010): Standing for $13,000 (estimated) at Jockey Club of Turkey Stud Farms, Istanbul, Turkey.
Mine That Bird (2009): Retried; Double Eagle Ranch, Roswell, N.M.
Big Brown (2008): Standing for $5,000 at Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions, Stillwater, N.Y.
Street Sense (2007): Standing for $60,000 at Darley America, Lexington, Ky.
Giacomo (2005): Standing for $1,500 at Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services, Newberg, Oregon.
Smarty Jones (2004): Standing for $3,500 at Equistar Training and Breeding, Annville, Pa.
Silver Charm (1997): Retired, Old Friends, Georgetown, Ky.
Note: Stud fees are for 2024 as announced by farms
Happy New Year from the US Racing Team.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
