Dunkirk retired to Ashford

[da hossman]

I can't comment upon the reason he was retired but the timing of his retirement (late) indicates that they intended to race him in 2010.

I will say he is the best looking horse entering stud in KY in 2010 - imo of course!

[Mood Swings]

Do you think he is priced fair at $10,000? Does anyone know what ended his career? I like the look of him and I really like his pedigree

Thanks!

[Fireslam]

I looked at him pretty hard before passing on him. I dont know if the market will be kind to him in a few years, a non-stakes winner, retired early due to injury. Theres a lot of Unbridled's Songs that have been retired in the last couple of years that I think are far better buys; even at that, until any of them are proven, I don't know they will be hot items, any more than most unproven horses.

[BargainBlueblood]

I wonder if he could wind up as another Half Ours -- a promising, much-hyped Unbridled's Song son who never quite filled his potential -- and was shuttled out of Kentucky before his first crop ever hit the track? I'd say Political Force or Songandaprayer -- or even Old Fashioned or Rockport Harbor -- might be better bets.

[da hossman]

If one is considering 1st year stallions there are very few good ones from which to choose (Songandaprayer is proven & should have a resurgence as his KY foals begin to run). Political Force is a bubble horse (oldest are yearlings), did not win his G1 until 4, and although I have not seen many of his progeny, I have not found them to be impressive. Rockport Harbor is also a bubble horse (2 yo's) and is offset and toes-in in both front.

I have not looked at Old Fashioned because of the "machine" and their management of the previously mentioned Half Ours.

I know all the unsoundness worries of any US son, but have to feel that Dunkirk was pretty darn tough to have made that campaign: 1st start Jan 24 (7f MSW), Feb 19 (1 1/8 NW1), Mar 28 G1 FL Derby (2nd to Quality Road), May 2 G1 KY Derby (clunker), June 6 G1 Belmont Stakes (2nd to Summer Bird after leading to the 1/8th pole when headed and passed by Mine That Bird & Charitable Man, but fought back to outfinish Mine That Bird for 2nd). I feel that he showed a tremendous amount of talent and toughness to run as well as he did in this 6 month stretch. Physically I think he is the best looking 1st year horse in KY.

[Fireslam]

One race in January, February, and March...one race in May and one in June, he falls apart, and thats a tough campaign? You must have thought Rachel's campaign was borderline abusive.

Non stakes winner, couldnt hold up to 5 races in 6 months, in this market where buyers demand performance and production in stallions....he belongs in a regional market. Way overpriced. Especially now.

[da hossman]

Fireslam, for the record I thought Rachel's campaign was extraordinary - G1 stakes almost all the way, against the boys, against older males - yes indeed I think that was an extraordinary campaign!

My point with Dunkirk was that he was rushed into G1 competition in only his 3rd start and ran his remaining 3 starts in G1 competition all within 6 months - yeah I think that was a pretty tough gig. I don't think there is any doubt that he would have won a G2 and with a more conservative campaign very well might have won a G1. He certainly did not falter going 2 turns and showed versatility rating/closing in his early races and then making all the pace in the Belmont.

No I don't think he is the 2nd coming, but at his price among this group of 1st year stallions I think Dunkirk is good value and commercial. But as I note you have a Vinery stallion pseudonym, perhaps you would prefer to breed to a 1st year son of Posse.....

[Jorge]

Any 2011 news on him?

[oliverstoned]

Just that he's been putting up some Wilt Chamberlin numbers.

[Affirmed1]

You're BAAADDDD!