Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Funny Cide became the newest member of the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park on Friday.

A crowd of approximately 200 fans braved chilly temperatures and welcomed the eight-year-old New York-bred dual classic winner to Lexington during a special reception.

“Horses have a way of bringing people together, and great horses attract great people,” said John Nicholson, the Horse Park’s executive director. “Funny Cide is a classic example of that, and we have gathered here today to welcome him to his new home, thanks to the generosity of Sackatoga Stable and WinStar Farm.”

Bill Casner’s and Kenny Trout’s WinStar Farm bred Funny Cide in a collaborative venture with McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds. Sackatoga Stables campaigned the Distorted Humor gelding out of the Slewacide mare Belle’s Good Cide.

Funny Cide earned an Eclipse Award in 2003 as champion three-year-old male after winning the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. His Triple Crown bid ended when he finished third in the 2003 Belmont Stakes (G1).

Funny Cide concluded his racing career in 2007 with $3,529,412 in purse earnings and 11 wins in 38 starts. He also earned graded stakes wins in the 2004 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and Excelsior Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3).

Since being retired from racing, Funny Cide previously served as a stable pony for trainer Barclay Tagg.

“The rigors of racing and training for several years have started to cause him mild discomfort recently as he continued working on a regular basis as my stable pony,” Tagg said. “So now the time has come, as he is turning nine years old, to really retire.”