Foaling Dates of Derby Contenders

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All North American Thoroughbreds share New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 as the date they officially become a year older according to The Jockey Club. But very few Thoroughbred foals are delivered Jan. 1, or even in the first week of January for that matter.

Only one of the top 20 contenders for the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) was a January foal, that distinction belonging to Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) winner Watch Me Go.  This year’s Derby elder was foaled in Florida Jan. 23, 2008. Only four of the contenders are February foals. Three of the last seven Derby winners were foaled in February: 2004 winner Smarty Jones   (Feb. 28); ’05 winner Giacomo   (Feb. 17); and ’07 winner Street Sense   (Feb. 23).

Last year’s winner, WinStar Farm’s homebred Super Saver   was foaled March 8.

Of this year’s contenders, two will not have reached their actual third birthday by Derby day. Twice the Appeal was a foaled May 10, 2008 and Mucho Macho Man is the baby of the bunch being a June 15 foal. Mine That Bird, the 50-1 upset winner of the 2009 Derby was not yet 3 when he won, being a May 10 foal.


Horse: Foaling Date

Animal Kingdom  : March 20
Archarcharch  : March 18
Brilliant Speed  : April 22
Comma to the Top: March 2
Decisive Moment: March 14
Derby Kitten: March 16
Dialed In  : Feb. 6
Master of Hounds: March 4
Midnight Interlude: April 3
Mucho Macho Man: June 15
Nehro: Feb. 25
Pants On Fire: March 20
Santiva  : Feb. 1
Shackleford  :  Feb. 25
Soldat  : April 19
Stay Thirsty  : March 29
Twice the Appeal: May 10
Twinspired: April 16
Uncle Mo  : March 10
Watch Me Go: Jan. 23