Ferdinand - 1986 Kentucky Derby Winner

Ferdinand gives Bill Shoemaker his last Derby win.

A chestnut stallion sired by Nijinksy, Ferdinand won the 86 Derby and the 87 Breeders' Cup.  He was voted the 87 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year.  Ferdinand's earnings were in excess of $3.7 million.

In 1989 he was put to stud.  He was then sold in 1994 to Japan.

He was outrageously reported to have been slaughtered in Japan in 2002.  This caused an outrage with horse racing enthusiasts and was the beginning of the "Ferdinand Fee" - an optional donation program desinged to fund keeping old racehorses alive.

In 2006 the New York Owners and Breeders' Association initiated the "Ferdinand Fee" - a small voluntary per-race fee sent to Bluegrass Charities and the Thoroughbred Charities of America.  These 2 groups help fund race horse rescue and retirement groups.  Many owners are taking this a step further, and adding 'buy-back clauses' into their stallion contracts.  It was reported that such clauses were included in the contracts of Derby winner Silver Charm as well as Dubai winner Roses in May - both of these horses were sent to Japan.