Eclipse Award Winners
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Kaeli Bartholomew
10 Facts About 2011 Kentucky Derby Winner Animal Kingdom
Photo of Animal Kingdom by Cady Coulardot
1.) Animal Kingdom was the first Kentucky Derby winner to win a Gr.1 race at the age of five. His victory was in the 2013 Dubai World Cup.
2.) Animal Kingdom's name comes from his sire, Leroidesanimaux. Leroidesanimaux translates to "King of the Animals" in French.
3.) The Kentucky Derby was Animal Kingdom's first start on dirt, hence the odds of 21-1. He had previously run on the turf and on all-weather tracks.
4.) At the start of the Belmont Stakes, Animal Kingdom clipped heels with another horse and he stumbled, throwing jockey Johnny Velasquez onto the colt's neck and causing him to lose his stirrup. They finished in sixth.
5.) It was found after the Belmont Stakes that Animal Kingdom had a slab fracture. He recovered from surgery well but re-fractured the bone in March of 2012, taking him out of the races for eight months.
6.) Animal Kingdom was only the third Kentucky Derby winner to run at Royal Ascot. He finished eleventh in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes. It was the final race of his career.
7.) Animal Kingdom stands stud at Darley. His current top progeny include Angel of Truth, Untamed Domain, Elsa, and Peaceful State.
8.) Animal Kingdom was the first Kentucky Derby winner for trainer Graham Motion and jockey John Velazquez.
9.) In 2011, Animal Kingdom ranked 4th of that year's leading money earners.
10.) Animal Kingdom's career record is 12:5-5-0. He earned over $8.3 million.
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Sources: Darley Equibase Wikipedia
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