Denis of Cork
Encyclopedia
Denis of Cork is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Harlan's Holiday and out of the Unbridled
mare, Unbridled Girl. Bred by Westbury Stables, he was purchased in the OBS August Yearling Sale in 2006 for $120,000, and then he was purchased a second time in the Barretts March Two-Year Olds In Training auction in 2007 for $250,000 by Mr. William K. & Mrs. Suzanne Warren, Jr.
Trained by David M. Carroll, to date Denis of Cork is best known for his third place finish in the 2008 Kentucky Derby
and for his second place finish in the 2008 Belmont Stakes
. The colt earned his first win in a Maiden Special Weight at a distance of 7 furlongs, winning by three-quarters of a length. He came five lengths off the lead turning for home, and built up enough strength to propel himself to the front so that he could fight with the front-runner. When they finished, there was a gap of 7½ lengths back to the third place finisher. He finished the race in a sharp time of 1:22.42.
He made his second appearance in an allowance race at Fair Grounds Race Course
in New Orleans, Louisiana
. The race was distanced at 1 mile and 40 yards, and he finished in front by a head.
In his third race, Denis of Cork won the one mile Grade III
Southwest Stakes
at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas
. Again, the colt gained momentum moving off the final turn, and won with a time of 1:37:89.
His fourth start, the Illinois Derby
, was his first loss, where he finished 5th behind 1st place finisher Recapturetheglory
. Despite this, his earnings were enough to score him a spot in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, where he finished 3rd behind champion colt, Big Brown
, and the ill-fated filly, Eight Belles
.
so that he could return for the Belmont Stakes
fresher than the horses who stuck with the Triple Crown
trail. This paid off, as he finished 2nd behind the upset-winner, Da' Tara
.
However, when Denis of Cork returned from the Belmont Stakes
, it was discovered that the colt had suffered from a pre-condylar fracture in one of his hind ankles. After this was discovered, the colt was sidelined for the rest of the season.
Denis of Cork was retired to stud at the Vinery near Summerfield, Florida for a fee of $2,500. Tom Ludt, Vinery president, explained his pleasure with the decision. “Denis of Cork showed a lot of class on the racetrack. He won three races, including a graded stakes, and placed in two classics in only six starts. He’s by a stallion who continues to prove himself, and we are very pleased to stand him.”
Unbridled
Unbridled was a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse.The colt was sired by Fappiano , by Mr. Prospector, and his dam Gana Facil, by Le Fabuleux. Unbridled retired with a career record of 8 wins, 6 places and 6 shows in 24 starts, and $4,489,475 in career earnings...
mare, Unbridled Girl. Bred by Westbury Stables, he was purchased in the OBS August Yearling Sale in 2006 for $120,000, and then he was purchased a second time in the Barretts March Two-Year Olds In Training auction in 2007 for $250,000 by Mr. William K. & Mrs. Suzanne Warren, Jr.
Trained by David M. Carroll, to date Denis of Cork is best known for his third place finish in the 2008 Kentucky Derby
2008 Kentucky Derby
The 2008 Kentucky Derby was the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 3, 2008 with 157,770 in attendance, the second largest in Derby history. Post time was 6:15 p.m. EDT and was televised in the United States on the NBC television network.Big Brown won the race by nearly...
and for his second place finish in the 2008 Belmont Stakes
2008 Belmont Stakes
The 2008 Belmont Stakes was the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes. The race was won by Da'Tara, who led the race wire to wire. Da'Tara had 38-1 odds, making the win a monumental upset. Big Brown, the favorite who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, finished in last place, a first for any...
. The colt earned his first win in a Maiden Special Weight at a distance of 7 furlongs, winning by three-quarters of a length. He came five lengths off the lead turning for home, and built up enough strength to propel himself to the front so that he could fight with the front-runner. When they finished, there was a gap of 7½ lengths back to the third place finisher. He finished the race in a sharp time of 1:22.42.
He made his second appearance in an allowance race at Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
in New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. The race was distanced at 1 mile and 40 yards, and he finished in front by a head.
In his third race, Denis of Cork won the one mile Grade III
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Southwest Stakes
Southwest Stakes
The Southwest Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas in mid February during the President's Day weekend. The race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race one mile on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
. Again, the colt gained momentum moving off the final turn, and won with a time of 1:37:89.
His fourth start, the Illinois Derby
Illinois Derby
The Illinois Derby is a race for Thoroughbred horses held in early April each year. First run in 1923, the Derby takes place at Hawthorne Race Course located in Stickney/Cicero, Illinois, just west of Chicago...
, was his first loss, where he finished 5th behind 1st place finisher Recapturetheglory
Recapturetheglory
Recapturetheglory is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Charles Jacobi, the son of 1994 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Cherokee Run is out of the mare Cold Awakening, by Dehere....
. Despite this, his earnings were enough to score him a spot in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, where he finished 3rd behind champion colt, Big Brown
Big Brown
Big Brown is a retired champion American Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and 2008 Preakness Stakes. Bred by Dr. Gary B. Knapp's Monticule Farms in Lexington, Kentucky, he won his first five race starts. He was sired by Grade III winner Boundary, a son of North American...
, and the ill-fated filly, Eight Belles
Eight Belles
Eight Belles was a thoroughbred racehorse owned by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farms. She finished second to winner Big Brown in the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby held at Churchill Downs, a race run by only thirty-nine fillies in the past...
.
2008 Belmont Stakes
Denis Of Cork skipped the Preakness StakesPreakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
so that he could return for the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
fresher than the horses who stuck with the Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
trail. This paid off, as he finished 2nd behind the upset-winner, Da' Tara
Da' Tara
Da' Tara is an American thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2008 Belmont Stakes in an upset over Big Brown. Da' Tara was a 38-1 underdog entering the post at Belmont. He is trained by Nick Zito, his jockey is Alan Garcia, and his sire is Tiznow....
.
However, when Denis of Cork returned from the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
, it was discovered that the colt had suffered from a pre-condylar fracture in one of his hind ankles. After this was discovered, the colt was sidelined for the rest of the season.
Retirement
Denis Of Cork spent the 2009 winter at Fair Grounds Race Course after being returned to his trainer when he had fully recovered from a strifle injury suffered in January 2009. He was expected to return to racing until a soft tissue injury was found after a breeze in early January 2010.Denis of Cork was retired to stud at the Vinery near Summerfield, Florida for a fee of $2,500. Tom Ludt, Vinery president, explained his pleasure with the decision. “Denis of Cork showed a lot of class on the racetrack. He won three races, including a graded stakes, and placed in two classics in only six starts. He’s by a stallion who continues to prove himself, and we are very pleased to stand him.”