The popular 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was retired today, nine days after winning at a small track in upstate New York with a near-record crowd cheering him on with every stride.

The 7-year-old gelding is in perfect health, said Jack Knowlton, the managing partner for Sackatoga Stable, the group that owns Funny Cide. But after discussing the horse's future with trainer Barclay Tagg and assistant Robin Smullen, the decision was made to call it a career.

"He came in a winner and goes out a winner and he accomplished a lot in between," Knowlton said, noting that Funny Cide no longer can compete in major stakes races like he used to. "We want to give him an opportunity to enjoy his retirement."

Funny Cide, the first New York-bred to win the Derby and first gelding to take the run for the roses since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929, ends his career with 11 victories in 38 starts. He finished second six times and third eight times and earned $3,529,412 for Sackatoga Stable, a group of high school pals from upstate New York who bought Funny Cide for $75,000.

"He took us on an unbelievable trip, one we never thought could happen," Knowlton said. "I don't think anyone will ever forget that scene at Belmont in 2003 — with more than 100,000 people on a rainy, miserable day. It was a surreal experience we will never forget."

At Finger Lakes on July 4, Funny Cide won his final race — the $100,00 Wadsworth Memorial — before 12,000 fans.

Since Funny Cide is a gelding and unable to produce offsprings, the horse will remain in Tagg's care and accompany racehorses to the track for morning workouts.

"He'll still be doing what he's done the past five years, but he just won't be racing in the afternoon," Knowlton said.

Co-owner J.P. Constance had mixed emotions.