While the presence of 1968 Derby Stakes winner Sir Ivor as broodmare sire suggested that Bluebird ought to have handled at least intermediate distances, he proved to be a champion sprinter on the race course and a source of speed as a stallion. He was not very consistent in the latter role but nonetheless got top-class sprinters and milers around the world.
Race record
9 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$166,214 (converted from English and Irish earnings)
1986:
1987:
Honors
Irish champion sprinter (1987)
Assessments
Rated at 107 pounds by Timeform as a 2-year-old, 25 pounds below highweighted Reference Point.
Rated at 106 pounds on the Irish Free Handicap for juveniles of 1986, 14 pounds below champion filly Minstrella.
Rated at 125 pounds by Timeform in 1987, 5 pounds below top European sprinter Ajdal.
As an individual
A handsome bay, Bluebird bore a strong resemblance to his sire Storm Bird but was leggier. He had sickle hocks but also had an excellent shoulder and a long, well-sloped pelvis. He stood 15.3 hands. He was able to act on courses rated from firm to heavy.
As a stallion
According to The Jockey Club, Bluebird sired 736 winners (48.3%) and 74 stakes winners (4.9%) from 1523 named foals. The Blood-Horse credits Bluebird with 79 stakes winners (5.2%). Bluebird was primarily an influence for speed.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers);
Notable progeny
Aube Indienne (FR), Azzurro (AUS), Blue Murder (AUS), Bluebird the Word (AUS), Dolphin Street (FR), Flitter (NZ), Fly to the Stars (GB), Happiness (NZ), Imprevedibile (IRE), Lady of the Pines (AUS), Lake Coniston (IRE), Race Master (AUS), Singing the Blues (AUS), The Delegator (AUS)
Notable progeny of daughters
Perfect Reflection (AUS)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Bluebird was bred by the Seitz-Waldman Partnership. He was purchased by the British Bloodstock Agency-Ireland as agent for Robert Sangster from the 1985 Keeneland July sale for US$1.1 million. He was trained by Vincent O'Brien. He entered stud at Coolmore's Irish stud in 1988 and shuttled to Australia in 1988-1997. He moved to Castlehyde Stud in Ireland in 1998 and stood there until his pensioning in 2004.
Pedigree notes
Bluebird is inbred 5x5 to 1936 Derby Stakes winner and 1946 American champion sire Mahmoud and 5x5 to five-time American champion sire Bull Lea. He is a half brother to Dawning Beauty (by Well Decorated), dam of Italian stakes winner Beauty Dancer and third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Immortal Hour, and to Dawn's Deputy (by Deputy Minister), dam of restricted Canadian stakes winners Gambling Girl (by Secret Claim) and Solarity (by Ascot Knight) and second dam of multiple Canadian Grade 3 winner Gamble's Ghost.
Ivory Dawn, the dam of Bluebird, is a half sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Javamine (by Nijinsky II), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Java Gold (by Key to the Mint) and English Group 3 winner Spicy Story (by Blushing Groom). She is also a half sister to stakes-placed Veridian (by Green Dancer), dam of restricted stakes winner Special Deputy (by Silver Deputy) and second dam of two stakes winners.
Ivory Dawn was produced from Dusky Evening (by Tim Tam--Home by Dark, by Hill Prince), whose full sister Timely Tammy is the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Timely Writer and 1987 Santa Anita Oaks (USA-G1) winner Timely Assertion. Dusky Evening is also a half sister to 1968 American champion 3-year-old filly Dark Mirage (by Persian Road II); to stakes winner Gray Mirage (by Bold Bidder), dam of stakes winner Texas Gem (by Canonero II) and second dam of English, French and Irish champion older female Indian Skimmer, multiple Grade 1 winner Missy's Mirage, 1995 Ballerina Handicap (USA-G1) winner Classy Mirage and Grade/Group 2 winners Country Pine and Courvoisier; and to juvenile stakes winner Bold Impulse (by Bold Bidder). In addition, Dusky Evening is a half sister to Reunion (by Admiral's Voyage), dam of stakes winner Saratoga Revelry (by Full Out).
Fun facts
Last updated: May 26, 2021
Race record
9 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$166,214 (converted from English and Irish earnings)
1986:
- 3rd Ardenode Stud Leopardstown Stakes (IRE-G3, 7FT, Leopardstown)
1987:
- Won King's Stand Stakes (ENG-G1, 5FT, Ascot)
- Won Ballyogan Stakes (IRE-G3, 5FT, The Curragh)
- Won BBA Sprint Stakes (IRE-L, 6FT, Phoenix Park)
- 2nd Harp Lager Two Thousand Guineas Trial Stakes (IRE-L, 7FT, Phoenix)
- 3rd Norcros July Cup (ENG-G1, 6FT, Newmarket)
Honors
Irish champion sprinter (1987)
Assessments
Rated at 107 pounds by Timeform as a 2-year-old, 25 pounds below highweighted Reference Point.
Rated at 106 pounds on the Irish Free Handicap for juveniles of 1986, 14 pounds below champion filly Minstrella.
Rated at 125 pounds by Timeform in 1987, 5 pounds below top European sprinter Ajdal.
As an individual
A handsome bay, Bluebird bore a strong resemblance to his sire Storm Bird but was leggier. He had sickle hocks but also had an excellent shoulder and a long, well-sloped pelvis. He stood 15.3 hands. He was able to act on courses rated from firm to heavy.
As a stallion
According to The Jockey Club, Bluebird sired 736 winners (48.3%) and 74 stakes winners (4.9%) from 1523 named foals. The Blood-Horse credits Bluebird with 79 stakes winners (5.2%). Bluebird was primarily an influence for speed.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 9th on the Australian broodmare sire list in 2008/2009
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers);
- 8th on the Australian broodmare sire list in 2002/2003.
- Led the Italian general sire list in 1993 and 1994; 4th in 1995.
Notable progeny
Aube Indienne (FR), Azzurro (AUS), Blue Murder (AUS), Bluebird the Word (AUS), Dolphin Street (FR), Flitter (NZ), Fly to the Stars (GB), Happiness (NZ), Imprevedibile (IRE), Lady of the Pines (AUS), Lake Coniston (IRE), Race Master (AUS), Singing the Blues (AUS), The Delegator (AUS)
Notable progeny of daughters
Perfect Reflection (AUS)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Bluebird was bred by the Seitz-Waldman Partnership. He was purchased by the British Bloodstock Agency-Ireland as agent for Robert Sangster from the 1985 Keeneland July sale for US$1.1 million. He was trained by Vincent O'Brien. He entered stud at Coolmore's Irish stud in 1988 and shuttled to Australia in 1988-1997. He moved to Castlehyde Stud in Ireland in 1998 and stood there until his pensioning in 2004.
Pedigree notes
Bluebird is inbred 5x5 to 1936 Derby Stakes winner and 1946 American champion sire Mahmoud and 5x5 to five-time American champion sire Bull Lea. He is a half brother to Dawning Beauty (by Well Decorated), dam of Italian stakes winner Beauty Dancer and third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Immortal Hour, and to Dawn's Deputy (by Deputy Minister), dam of restricted Canadian stakes winners Gambling Girl (by Secret Claim) and Solarity (by Ascot Knight) and second dam of multiple Canadian Grade 3 winner Gamble's Ghost.
Ivory Dawn, the dam of Bluebird, is a half sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Javamine (by Nijinsky II), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Java Gold (by Key to the Mint) and English Group 3 winner Spicy Story (by Blushing Groom). She is also a half sister to stakes-placed Veridian (by Green Dancer), dam of restricted stakes winner Special Deputy (by Silver Deputy) and second dam of two stakes winners.
Ivory Dawn was produced from Dusky Evening (by Tim Tam--Home by Dark, by Hill Prince), whose full sister Timely Tammy is the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Timely Writer and 1987 Santa Anita Oaks (USA-G1) winner Timely Assertion. Dusky Evening is also a half sister to 1968 American champion 3-year-old filly Dark Mirage (by Persian Road II); to stakes winner Gray Mirage (by Bold Bidder), dam of stakes winner Texas Gem (by Canonero II) and second dam of English, French and Irish champion older female Indian Skimmer, multiple Grade 1 winner Missy's Mirage, 1995 Ballerina Handicap (USA-G1) winner Classy Mirage and Grade/Group 2 winners Country Pine and Courvoisier; and to juvenile stakes winner Bold Impulse (by Bold Bidder). In addition, Dusky Evening is a half sister to Reunion (by Admiral's Voyage), dam of stakes winner Saratoga Revelry (by Full Out).
Fun facts
- “Bluebird” may refer to any of three species of American birds from the thrush family. As the name implies, they are primarily blue in color. Bluebirds are considered to be symbols of happiness.
- Bluebird is closely related to multiple champion Indian Skimmer and to Grade 1 winner Classy Mirage, who like him were sired by Storm Bird from mares of Home by Dark's family.
Last updated: May 26, 2021