Spendthrift Farm announced that it has purchased recently retired Dublin and that the grade I winner will stand the 2012 breeding season at Keane Stud in Amenia, N.Y. The fee will be announced later.
A son of Afleet Alex produced from the grade I-winning Storm Bird mare Classy Mirage, Dublin won or placed in five of 11 career starts and earned $438,949. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas for Robert C. Baker and William L. Mack, Dublin won the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) in 2009.
Last year, the colt finished second in the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) and third in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) and Arkansas Derby (gr. I), the three top 3-year-old races at Oaklawn Park.
Bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum and Gerry Dilger, Dublin was purchased by Baker and Mack for $525,000 from the Dromoland Farm consignment at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale.
The farm’s announcement said having Dublin stand in New York will permit Spendthrift to expand into New York and introduce the farm’s “Share the Upside” program to the local market.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer New York breeders our Share the Upside program, and Dublin is a great first horse to do just that,” B. Wayne Hughes, owner of Spendthrift, said in a statement.
“New York breeders should be very familiar with Dublin. He was a dynamic grade I winner in that state, as were both his sire, Afleet Alex, and dam, Classy Mirage,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift Farm general manager, in a statement. “On top of his ability and pedigree, Dublin is also a must-see individual, and we invite people to come out and see him next Friday at the Saratoga sales grounds.
“(Dublin) was my No. 1 pick (at the 2008 Keeneland September sale),” Lukas said in the release. “He’s one of the best-looking horses I ever trained.”
According to the release, Dublin is currently at Saratoga and will be available for inspection at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sales grounds Friday, Aug. 12 at 5:30 pm. EDT. He will also be available for private inspection by appointment only.