Grindstone (horse)


Grindstone is a Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 1996 Kentucky Derby.

Background

Bred and owned by William T. Young's Overbrook Farm, Grindstone was the son of Unbridled out of the mare Buzz My Bell. Buzz My Bell's dam was a half-sister to La Grue, the dam of the Belmont Stakes winner Pass Catcher.

Racing career

As a three-year-old, Grindstone won the Louisiana Derby and was second in the Arkansas Derby. He then won the 1996 Kentucky Derby with a time of 2:01.06, edging Cavonnier at the wire. He was jockey Jerry Bailey's second Kentucky Derby winner, and the second in a row for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Grindstone was retired five days after his Kentucky Derby victory, when a bone chip was discovered in his knee. He was the first horse since Bubbling Over in 1926 to be retired immediately following a win in the Kentucky Derby.

Stud record

Grindstone stands today at in Oregon, making him the first Kentucky Derby winner to ever stand in the Northwest. His progeny include two millionaires, GR I winner Birdstone and Ekolu Place. He is also, via Birdstone, the grandsire of Mine That Bird and Summer Bird, who both won Triple Crown races in 2009.

Pedigree