The story of Mine That Bird, the unlikely champion of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, is a tale of enduring companionship and a life well-lived beyond the thunder of the racetrack. While many racehorses transition to stud duties after their careers, Mine That Bird, a gelding, has remained a cherished part of the lives of his co-owners, Mark Allen and Leonard “Doc” Blach, since his astonishing 2009 victory and subsequent 2010 retirement. His journey from underdog victor to beloved companion highlights a special bond between horse and owner.
Mine That Bird, now 16 years old, currently serves a unique role at HV Ranch near Lone Oak, Texas, assisting trainer Rosa Ramirez under the watchful eye of Mark Allen. Though not a traditional pony horse, his presence offers Allen a way to stay close to the Derby winner he clearly adores. “He’s a pretty good pony but he still wants to race them besides pony them,” Allen observes, explaining that Mine That Bird accompanies other horses to the track but walks alongside them rather than engaging in races. Allen cherishes these moments, riding him around to let him “stretch his legs a little bit” and maintain his sense of grandeur. Allen even finds joy in the horse’s playful bucking, noting, “he’s so smooth that it actually was fun.”
In 2009, Mine That Bird stunned the racing world with a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the Kentucky Derby. Starting from last place, 21 lengths behind the leaders, he surged forward to win by an astonishing 6 3/4 lengths at odds of 50-1. This iconic win, coupled with jockey Calvin Borel’s masterful rail-skimming ride and cowboy trainer Chip Woolley’s unconventional methods, was later immortalized in the 2014 movie “50 to 1.” The payout for this victory remains the third-largest in Derby history at $103.20.
Mine That Bird continued his impressive racing form in the spring of 2009. He secured second place in the Preakness Stakes (G1), trailing only the exceptional filly Rachel Alexandra, who would go on to be named Horse of the Year. Mine That Bird then claimed third in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
After a racing season as a 4-year-old under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, Mine That Bird was retired. He found a comfortable retirement at Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch in New Mexico. During his time there, he was known to welcome fans and curious tourists alike. Allen sold the ranch in 2020, and Mine That Bird has been in his current role for approximately 18 months. “Right until the day he went with Mark to the track, we would have one or two visitors a week come and see him,” says Blach. “He loves people.”
Rosa Ramirez now trains Allen’s horses, and Allen acts as an assistant, emphasizing Ramirez’s talent: “I think she’s going to be a super trainer.” He offers occasional advice but believes she requires little assistance.
Mine That Bird briefly served as the Kentucky Derby Museum’s resident Thoroughbred in 2013, but the majority of his retirement has been spent with Mark Allen. Both owners express immense gratitude for having their Derby winner by their side for so many years. “It means everything to me to have him in my life,” Allen states. “He’s done so much for me. I just can’t tell you how much I love him.”
Allen maintains a close connection with Blach, visiting him frequently in Roswell and sharing updates about their beloved horse. Blach, an 88-year-old retired veterinarian, fondly recalls visiting Mine That Bird daily when he lived across the street from the ranch. “He was so used to me doing that over a period of years that when I’d drive in there with my pick-up truck, he’d see me and stand there and look at me with his ears up until I parked and came over to visit,” Blach shares. He describes how Mine That Bird would always come to the fence for a peppermint, a ritual that brought joy to both man and horse.
The May 2022 edition of BloodHorse Magazine featured stories on many retired Kentucky Derby winners, offering in-depth looks at the legacy of these incredible athletes.
