Denis of Cork, a graded stakes winner and third in the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will enter stud at Tom Simon’s Vinery near Summerfield, Fla. The 5-year-old son of Harlan's Holiday will stand for $2,500.
In just his fifth lifetime start, Denis of Cork ran third behind subsequent champion Big Brown in that colt’s Kentucky Derby triumph. In his next start, Denis of Cork finished second in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) behind Da' Tara.
“Denis of Cork showed a lot of class on the racetrack,” said Vinery president Tom Ludt. “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.”
Denis of Cork won his first three starts at three different tracks, including the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park in his third outing.
Sidelined after the Belmont, Denis of Cork had returned to training and was expected to race at the current Fair Grounds meeting for trainer David Carroll until a soft tissue injury was discovered after a breeze in early January. He retired with three wins and two placings from six starts and earnings of $613,252.
Denis of Cork, who raced for William K. Warren Jr., and his wife, Suzanne, was bought for $250,000 by Mike Ryan, agent, at the 2007 Barretts March 2-year-olds in training sale.
Denis of Cork, who is from the same female family as Da’ Tara, is out of the Unbridled mare Unbridled Girl. Denis of Cork’s second dam is stakes winner Sound Wisdom.
