NEWS
Dunkirk to begin Ashford stud career in 2010
Posted: Thursday, January 07, 2010 1:17 PM
DUNKIRK
Bob Coglianese photo
Dunkirk, the runner-up in the 2009 Belmont Stakes (G1) and Florida Derby Presented by BlackBerry (G1), will stand the 2010 season at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky, for $10,000.
The Unbridled’s Song colt out of 2000 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Secret Status, by A.P. Indy, came out of the Belmont with a non-displaced condylar fracture of the left hind cannon bone. He underwent surgery and returned to training in the fall with Todd Pletcher but did not make it back to the work tab.
“It’s a pity Dunkirk had to retire, as we all expected he would have a huge year on the track in 2010,” said Ashford manager Dermot Ryan. “On the other hand it’s great to be able to stand a horse like him, with his combination of great ability, fantastic looks, and a top-notch pedigree.
"He’s by Unbridled’s Song, who has been so consistent that his fee has stood at $100,000 or more for eight consecutive years. Also, his pedigree contains the same major components – Unbridled and A.P. Indy – as Tapit who has done so well that his fee has quadrupled to $50,000 in the space of three years. Empire Maker, another member of the Unbridled male line, stands for $50,000 after siring four Grade 1 winners in his first two crops, so we think Dunkirk is great value at $10,000.”
The $3.7-million top price in the 2007 Keeneland September yearling sale, Dunkirk stormed onto the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail last winter at Gulfstream Park with wins in his first two starts by a combined 10½ lengths for owners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
Dunkirk stepped up with a second-place finish to Quality Road in the Florida Derby in his stakes debut and finished 11th on the sloppy track at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby.
The Belmont turned out to be Dunkirk’s final start. He set the pace into the stretch before finishing 2¾ lengths behind winner Summer Bird and a neck ahead of Derby winner Mine That Bird.
