First winners arrive for Dunkirk

The young sire Dunkirk, who continues to find commercial success as the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s June sale of 2-year-olds in training unfolds, was recently represented by his first two winners on the track, in Mexico and in Washington, respectively.

The first winner for the 7-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song came on April 13, when Chistoso captured his career debut at Hipodromo de las Americas.

Out of the stakes-winning Flying Granville mare Ladies Nite Out, the colt was bred in Kentucky by Dr. Charles S. Giles, Pat Payne, Ben Taylor and Frank Taylor. He is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Lady Mallory.

Dunkirk was represented by his first U.S. winner on Sunday, when Kendini won his first career start, a maiden claiming event, at Emerald Downs. He posted a pace-setting win in :52.85 for 4 1/2 furlongs and was claimed out of the race by new owner Helen Mahre.

The gelding, who is out of the winning and stakes-placed Forest Wildcat mare Next Big Nothin', was bred in Kentucky by Red Diamond Bloodstock and Polo Green Stable.

Dunkirk, a $3.7 million purchase by the Coolmore team at the 2007 Keeneland September yearling sale, won two of five career starts, earning $393,200. He finished second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby before turning in a game runner-up effort behind eventual champion Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes, suffering a career-ending injury in the latter.

Dunkirk is based at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., for a fee of $10,000, and has 126 foals in his first crop. He is one of three winners from six starters out of Kentucky Oaks winner and millionaire Secret Status. The daughter of A.P. Indy is a full sister to Grade 3 winner Alumni Hall.