Mine That Bird, who shocked the racing world with his upset victory in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, was honored with a retirement ceremony at the scene of his greatest triumph on Sunday.

The 4-year-old gelding didn't win in nine starts following the Derby and was officially retired following an unplaced effort in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile earlier this month. He departs Monday for his owner's farm in New Mexico, but first, Churchill Downs feted him in a farewell appearance. The son of Birdstone and his connections visited the paddock and winner's circle during the seventh race on closing day of the fall meet under the Twin Spires.

Following a neck defeat in the 2009 Borderland Derby and then a close-up fourth in the Sunland Derby, trainer Chip Woolley decided to load his diminutive gelding onto a horse trailer and make the 1,700-mile, 21-hour trip to Churchill Downs - a journey made more strenuous by the fact that Woolley was on crutches, the result of a broken leg sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Mine That Bird had back class - he was the Canadian 2-year-old champion of 2008 - but was sent off ignored by the public at 50-1 odds. Under a rail-skimming ride by Calvin Borel, the gelding rocketed home by open lengths to pull off one of the most spectacular upsets in Derby history. Mine That Bird returned $103.20 on a two-dollar wager, the second-highest win payout ever.

Mine That Bird performed admirably for the rest of that Triple Crown season, finishing a closing second to eventual Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness and third behind divisional champion Summer Bird in the Belmont. But he managed just one third-place finish in his seven remaining career starts - the last four of those coming under Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas.

Although he won't go down as one of the sport's all-time greats, Mine That Bird is forever assured of his own special spot in horse racing lore. Woolley's crutches, a relic of that 2009 racing season, are on display in the Kentucky Derby Museum. A potential movie about the gelding's journey is in the works. And of course, he'll always have the Derby.

Exercise rider Charlie Figeuroa leads Mine That Bird in the Churchill Downs paddock during his farewell appearance Sunday. Photo courtesy of Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs.