Orb (USA)
February 24, 2010 – Living
Malibu Moon (USA) x Lady Liberty (USA), by Unbridled (USA)
Family 8-c
February 24, 2010 – Living
Malibu Moon (USA) x Lady Liberty (USA), by Unbridled (USA)
Family 8-c
A royally bred colt from a female line nurtured by the Janney family for generations, Orb came to prominence in the spring of his 3-year-old season and reached the pinnacle of his career with a powerful victory in the Kentucky Derby—Presented by Yum! Brands (USA-G1). He did not win again after his Derby success and retired to Claiborne Farm at the end of his 3-year-old season. After achieving disappointing results with his first four crops of racing age, he was sold for export to Uruguay in early 2021.
Race record
12 starts, 5 wins, 0 seconds, 3 thirds, US$2,612,516
2013:
Assessments
Rated at 120 pounds on the 2013 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his Kentucky Derby performance, 10 pounds below co-highweights Black Caviar (an undefeated champion in Australia) and Treve (winner of the 2013 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, FR-G1) and 4 pounds below the top 3-year-old male on dirt, American champion 3-year-old male Will Take Charge, who earned his rating during a runner-up performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (USA-G1).
As an individual
A handsome, lengthy dark bay horse standing 16.1 hands, Orb became more heavy-topped as he matured. He has an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters. He did his best running from off the pace and could handle both fast and sloppy surfaces.
As a stallion
In spite of his own staying proclivities, Orb seems to be getting runners that like a little less distance than he.
Notable progeny
Sippican Harbor (USA)
Connections
Foaled on February 24, 2010, in Kentucky, Orb was bred and owned by Stuart S. Janney III and the Phipps Stable. He was trained by Claude "Shug" McGaughey III and was ridden to his Kentucky Derby victory by Joel Rosario. He entered stud in 2014 at Claiborne Farm.
Pedigree notes
Orb is inbred 3x4 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector and 5x5 to eight-time American champion sire Bold Ruler, the 1957 American Horse of the Year. He is out of the winning Unbridled mare Lady Liberty, whose half sister Altar Girl (by Pulpit) is the second dam of Uruguayan dual Classic winner and 2019/2020 champion 3-year-old filly Algecira Fever.
Lady Liberty and Altar Girl are out of 1996 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (USA-G2) winner Mesabi Maiden (by Cox’s Ridge), whose half sister Women’s Rights (by Unbridled) is the second dam of two-time Argentine champion Suggestive Boy and Grade/Group 3 winners Chief Cicatriz, Subtlety, and Wilds Dreams. Another half sister to Mesabi Maiden, Dixie Deb (by Dixieland Band), is the second dam of Grade 3 winner Do Share.
Mesabi Maiden and her siblings were produced from listed stakes winner Steel Maiden. A daughter of 1967 American Horse of the Year Damascus and Ruffian’s half sister Laughter (by Bold Ruler), Steel Maiden is a full sister to Laughing Look, dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Coronado’s Quest (by Forty Niner), Grade 3 winner Warning Glance (by Caveat), and multiple restricted stakes winner Military Look (by Assault Landing). Steel Maiden is also a half sister to 1988 Wood Memorial Invitational (USA-G1) winner Private Terms (by Private Account), to Grade 3 winners Blue Ensign (by Hoist the Flag) and Light Spirits (by Majestic Light), and to stakes winner Dover Ridge (by Riva Ridge).
Books and media
Footage of Orb’s Kentucky Derby win can be accessed within the February 18, 2021, article “Orb and His South American Connection” at Pastthewire.com (https://pastthewire.com/orbs-south-american-connection/).
Fun facts
Last updated: March 9, 2022
Race record
12 starts, 5 wins, 0 seconds, 3 thirds, US$2,612,516
2013:
- Won Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Besilu Stables Florida Derby (USA-G1, 9FD, Gulfstream Park)
- Won Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 3rd Belmont Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Travers Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Saratoga)
Assessments
Rated at 120 pounds on the 2013 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for his Kentucky Derby performance, 10 pounds below co-highweights Black Caviar (an undefeated champion in Australia) and Treve (winner of the 2013 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, FR-G1) and 4 pounds below the top 3-year-old male on dirt, American champion 3-year-old male Will Take Charge, who earned his rating during a runner-up performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (USA-G1).
As an individual
A handsome, lengthy dark bay horse standing 16.1 hands, Orb became more heavy-topped as he matured. He has an excellent shoulder and strong hindquarters. He did his best running from off the pace and could handle both fast and sloppy surfaces.
As a stallion
In spite of his own staying proclivities, Orb seems to be getting runners that like a little less distance than he.
Notable progeny
Sippican Harbor (USA)
Connections
Foaled on February 24, 2010, in Kentucky, Orb was bred and owned by Stuart S. Janney III and the Phipps Stable. He was trained by Claude "Shug" McGaughey III and was ridden to his Kentucky Derby victory by Joel Rosario. He entered stud in 2014 at Claiborne Farm.
Pedigree notes
Orb is inbred 3x4 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector and 5x5 to eight-time American champion sire Bold Ruler, the 1957 American Horse of the Year. He is out of the winning Unbridled mare Lady Liberty, whose half sister Altar Girl (by Pulpit) is the second dam of Uruguayan dual Classic winner and 2019/2020 champion 3-year-old filly Algecira Fever.
Lady Liberty and Altar Girl are out of 1996 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (USA-G2) winner Mesabi Maiden (by Cox’s Ridge), whose half sister Women’s Rights (by Unbridled) is the second dam of two-time Argentine champion Suggestive Boy and Grade/Group 3 winners Chief Cicatriz, Subtlety, and Wilds Dreams. Another half sister to Mesabi Maiden, Dixie Deb (by Dixieland Band), is the second dam of Grade 3 winner Do Share.
Mesabi Maiden and her siblings were produced from listed stakes winner Steel Maiden. A daughter of 1967 American Horse of the Year Damascus and Ruffian’s half sister Laughter (by Bold Ruler), Steel Maiden is a full sister to Laughing Look, dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Coronado’s Quest (by Forty Niner), Grade 3 winner Warning Glance (by Caveat), and multiple restricted stakes winner Military Look (by Assault Landing). Steel Maiden is also a half sister to 1988 Wood Memorial Invitational (USA-G1) winner Private Terms (by Private Account), to Grade 3 winners Blue Ensign (by Hoist the Flag) and Light Spirits (by Majestic Light), and to stakes winner Dover Ridge (by Riva Ridge).
Books and media
Footage of Orb’s Kentucky Derby win can be accessed within the February 18, 2021, article “Orb and His South American Connection” at Pastthewire.com (https://pastthewire.com/orbs-south-american-connection/).
Fun facts
- Orb was the first Kentucky Derby for both the Janney family and the Phipps family, both of which have been involved in American Thoroughbred racing for over 60 years. He was also the first Derby winner for Shug McGaughey, who had previously come closest with Easy Goer in 1989.
- Orb’s jockey Joel Rosario was the first native of the Dominican Republic to ride in the Kentucky Derby.
- Although “orb” can refer to any spherical body, it is commonly used are as a term for a planet or other heavenly body and as the name of a symbol of monarchy that represents the monarch’s dominion. The orb that is part of the British monarch’s Crown Jewels is surmounted by a cross and signifies the monarch’s rule and responsibility as God’s regent.
Last updated: March 9, 2022