Grade 1-winning millionaire Noble Bird has been retired from racing and will take up stud duty in 2018 at Ocala Stud in Florida. A fee will be announced at a later date.

“Noble Bird is a Grade 1 winner that was fast enough to run Beyers of 110, 109 & 108 and set a track record at a prestigious racetrack like Keeneland, where he still holds the 1 1/8-mile mark on dirt,” said Ocala Stud’s J. Michael O’Farrell. “He’s another tremendous stallion prospect from the racing program of owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to stand him. Physically, Noble Bird is a handsome, grand-looking horse, and I believe breeders are going to like him.”

Campaigned by trainer Mark Casse for owner John Oxley, Noble Bird scored his biggest career victory in the $500,000 Stephen Foster H. (G1) at Churchill in 2015, defeating Grade 1 winners Lea, Hoppertunity and Majestic Harbor in 1:47.94 for 1 1/8 miles. The performance earned him a 108 Beyer.

Last year, Noble Bird scored a dominant 11 ¼-length win in the $300,000 Pimlico Special H. (G3), earning a 110 Beyer – the fastest Beyer recorded around two turns on dirt during the first half of 2016. The final time of 1:55.18 for 1 3/16 miles proved to be over three seconds faster than Exaggerator’s winning time in the Preakness a day later.

Noble Bird closed out 2016 with back-to-back wins in the Lukas Classic S. at Churchill and Fayette S. (G2) at Keeneland. In the latter, he added a track record to his resume, winning the Fayette by 5 ¾ lengths in 1:47.75, setting a new record for 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland that still stands today. Noble Bird earned a 109 Beyer for the performance, giving him a trio of Beyers of 108 or higher for his career.

By Birdstone, Noble Bird retires with a record of 7-4-0 from 23 starts and lifetime earnings of $1,327,945. He is out of the Tiznow mare Anyhow, and his third dam is Graded winner Noble Damsel.

Noble Bird, who will stand as property of John Oxley & Ocala Stud, is now available for inspection. For more information about Noble Bird, or to set up an inspection appointment, please contact David or Joe O’Farrell at 352-237-2171, or visit OcalaStud.com.