Bluebird (horse)

Bluebird began his racing career in a five furlong maiden race at Phoenix Park Racecourse in October in which he started odds-on favourite and won by one and a half lengths from the filly White Water Lady. Later in the month, he was moved up in class and distance for the Leopardstown Stakes over seven furlongs at Leopardstown Racecourse. He took the lead approaching the final furlong but was overtaken in the closing stages and was beaten into third place by Antic Boy and the British challenger Mulhollande.[5]

Bluebird began his second season in April when contested the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes over seven furlongs in April and was beaten a short had into second by the Kevin Prendergast-trained Island Reef. In May, the colt was dropped back to six furlongs for the BBA Sprint Stakes at Phoenix Park and won "comfortably" by two lengths from the British-trained Powder Keg and eight others. In early June, he was stepped up in class for the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes over five furlongs at Leopardstown and won by half a length from the filly Flawless Image.[2]

Bluebird was then sent to England for the Group One King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs at Royal Ascot and started the 7/2 third favourite behind Gayane (winner of the Sirenia Stakes and the Sandy Lane Stakes) and Hallgate (Diadem Stakes, Palace House Stakes). The other nine runners included Flawless Image, Governor General (Abernant Stakes), Singing Steven (Cornwallis Stakes) and Carol's Treasure (Windsor Castle Stakes). Ridden by Cash Asmussen, he joined the leaders two furlongs out and drew right away in the closing stages to win by four lengths from the 25/1 shot Perion with the outsiders Orient and Sharp Romance in third and fourth. Timeform called his victory "as impressive a sprinting performance as seen all season."[2]

On his three subsequent starts, Bluebird failed to run up to his Ascot form. At Newmarket Racecourse, he started odds-on favourite for the July Cup but started slowly before staying on in the closing stages to finish third behind Ajdal and Gayane. After performing lazily in training gallops, he was equipped with blinkers for his run in the William Hill Sprint Championship at York Racecourse in August. He refused to co-operate with Asmussen and dropped to the rear of the field before making some progress in the final furlong to finish fourth behind Ajdal. On his final appearance, the colt was sent to France for the Prix de la Forêt over 1400 metres at Longchamp Racecourse on October 25. He made little impact as he finished ninth out of the fourteen runners, behind Soviet Star.[2]