Denis of Cork sires first winner at Hollywood Park

Celtic Moon’s victory in a maiden special weight race on Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park was the first by an offspring of Grade 3 winner and multiple classic-placed freshman sire Denis of Cork.

The chestnut ridgling won the five furlong turf race by 1 ¼ lengths, completing the distance in 57.69 seconds over turf labeled as firm. Bred in Florida by Suzanne Sharra-Maxwell and Kay Dennis, Celtic Moon is out of Three Wonders mare Beastlie Moon, who is the dam of two winners from as many starters.

Denis of Cork, stands at Taylor Mountain Farm in Charles Town, W.V. for an advertised fee of $2,500. He is represented by 14 juveniles in his debut crop.

The 8-year-old son of Harlan’s Holiday was a key player on the 2008 Triple Crown trail, winning the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes, which set him up for a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. He followed up with a runner-up effort in the Belmont Stakes in his final career race.

Denis of Cork retired with three wins from six races for lifetime earnings of $613,252.

Bred in Florida by Westbury Stables, Denis of Cork is out of Unbridled mare Unbridled Girl, who is the dam of five winners from seven foals to race. In the autumn following Denis of Cork’s sophomore campaign, Unbridled Girl sold for $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall selected mixed sale.