Former champ Stevie Wonderboy retired

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Midway, KY (Sports Network) - Former juvenile champion Stevie Wonderboy has been retired from racing and will begin his stud career in Kentucky. The four- year-old raced only once after his 2005 Breeders' Cup Juvenile victory.

Owned by Merv Griffin, Stevie Wonderboy had six career starts during which he won three times for $1,058,940. He won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile as the 9-2 second choice to 6-5 favorite First Samurai, who finished third. In addition to his Juvenile win at Belmont Park he also won the Del Mar Futurity.

Stevie Wonderboy was trained by Doug O'Neill and was ridden by Garrett Gomez in all six starts. He will now move to Airdrie Stud for the 2008 breeding season.

"We couldn't be more excited to be bringing Stevie Wonderboy into the stallion barn," said Airdrie's Bret Jones. "He did exactly what a champion is supposed to do, beat the best on both sides of the country. I really believe the juvenile field he beat, with Henny Hughes and First Samurai was as strong as any in recent memory, and he was really getting away from them at the end. It's just a shame we never got to see him in the classics, because as brilliant as he was at two, he was absolutely tailor made for the Triple Crown trail. We've had a wonderful relationship with Mr. Griffin for a long time, and we feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to stand his champion."

The colt's last start was in the San Rafael Stakes when he was second to Brother Derek, the eventual winner of the Santa Anita Derby. He fractured his right front ankle early in February, 2006.