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Coalition in Uruguay Buys Kentucky Derby Winner Orb

The 11-year-old son of Malibu Moon will stand at Haras Cuatro Piedras.

Orb at Claiborne Farm

Orb at Claiborne Farm

Anne M. Eberhardt

A coalition of the top breeders in Uruguay has purchased 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Orb, the group announced April 8.

"With Orb, for the first time, there is a very well-balanced union in which no partner exceeds 10%. We believe that this is a first step on a path that definitely leads in the right direction," said bloodstock agent Sebastian Angelillo. "The Uruguayan breeders have been trying to improve the industry and doing things in the last few years, first with the arrival of Overanalyze on shuttle and then sending mares to be bred on different countries in the region, supported by the breeders association."

Orb, an 11-year-old son of Malibu Moon, will stand at Haras Cuatro Piedras, Progreso, in Canelones. The partners involved are Haras Bettina, Cuatro Piedras, Don Alfredo, Don Camilo, Don Bebe, Don Juca, El Arbolito, Entrevero, La Concordia, La Coluda, La Pomme, Los Apamates, Los Seis, Mocambú, Musa, Nijú (Brasil), San Miguel Queguay, Santa Delfina de la Candelaria, Santa María de Juncal, Sin Nombre, Stud Tinto y Celeste, Tsimbalar, Vaccaro (Brasil), and Viejo Molino.

A homebred for Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable, Orb is out of the Unbridled mare Lady Liberty, whose tail-female line includes multiple grade 2 winner Mesabi Maiden, multiple stakes winner Steel Maiden, and multiple graded stakes producer Laughter, who is half sister to multiple U.S. champion Ruffian. Orb won the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1) on his way to wearing the blanket of roses. He would later run third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1). Orb retired with a 5-0-3 record from 12 starts and earned $2,612,516.

"Orb was a wonderful horse with a great pedigree and look about him. He gave me many thrills, the ultimate one being his win in the Kentucky Derby. I am sure he will do very well as a stallion in his new home," said trainer Shug McGaughey.

The deal was brokered by Marette Farrell and Angelillo along with David Seguias.

"They are thrilled to secure a Kentucky Derby winner for Uruguay from Ruffian's family. This is a core international Phipps pedigree loaded with strong South American connections like Uruguayan champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old filly Algecira Fever, and multiple group 1-placed winner Siempre En Mi Mente, along with Suggestive Boy who was a four-time group 1 winner in Argentina and then won the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T) in the U.S. We wish him all the best and firmly believe he will establish himself as the top stallion down there," said Farrell.

Orb entered stud at Claiborne Farm in 2014. As a stallion, he has sired 157 winners and eight black-type winners that include grade 1 winner Sippican Harbor. He is represented this year on the Road to the Kentucky Derby by O Besos, who closed for third in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2).