Dunaden (26 February 2006 – 30 April 2019) was a French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the 2011 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, trained by Mikel Delzangles.[1] The horse was owned by Sheikh Fahad al Thani and managed by David Redvers.[2] He was the first horse to win the Hong Kong Vase after winning the Melbourne Cup.

Dunaden
Dunaden won 2011 Hong Kong Vase
Dunaden: 2011 Melbourne Cup winner, painted by Charles Church
SireNicobar
DamLa Marlia
SexStallion
Foaled(2006-02-26)26 February 2006
Died30 April 2019(2019-04-30) (aged 13)
CountryFrance
ColourBay
BreederComte E Decazes
OwnerPearl Bloodstock Pty
TrainerRichard Gibson
Mikel Delzangles
Record46: 10–11–8
Earnings£5,271,584
Major wins
Prix de Barbeville (2011)
Geelong Cup (2011)
Melbourne Cup (2011)
Hong Kong Vase (2011)
Caulfield Cup (2012)
Awards
Australian Champion Stayer (2011/12)

Early life and racing career

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The horse was purchased for €1,500 as a foal at the Arqana mixed December sale in France in 2006.[3]

The foal was purchased by Dutch owner/breeder Jetty van der Hulst and grew up at her stud in Nederweert (The Netherlands). As a 3-year-old he was claimed out of her stable after winning in France.

Dunaden showed his Melbourne Cup credentials in early 2011 with a win in the Prix de Barbeville and a second in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier. He prepared for the Melbourne Cup in Australia by winning the Geelong Cup. In the Melbourne Cup, he settled back in the running and finished down the middle of the track, hitting the line alongside Red Cadeaux in the closest photo-finish ever in the Melbourne Cup, winning by 5–10 cm. He went on to win the prestigious Hong Kong Vase a few weeks later with Red Cadeaux coming home in third.

On 20 October 2012 Dunaden maintained his undefeated run in Australian races with a win in the 2012 Caulfield Cup, following an outstanding ride from jockey Craig Williams.[4] In doing so, Dunaden became the first horse to win the Caulfield Cup from wider than barrier 15 (starting from barrier 18), as well as the first horse to win after being the original horse allotted with the top weight at acceptances (58 kg).[5] On 1 May 2019. Dunaden died from a paddock accident at the Overbury Stud in England.

Stud record

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Dunaden is sired by Nicobar, of the rare Byerley Turk sire line. Dunaden retired to Overbury Stud in 2014.[6] His first progeny began racing as 2-year-olds in 2018.

Overbury Stud offered prizemoney premiums of up to sixty-four percent for all Dunaden first-crop race winners during their two and three year-old season.[7]

Dunaden stood for a service fee of £3000, on October First, Standing Live Foal terms.[8]

Dunaden's first foals, in 2016, sold for an average price of 9,401 English Guineas.[9]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Dunaden (FR), bay stallion, 2006[10]
Sire
Nicobar (GB)
1997
Indian Ridge (IRE)
1985
Ahonoora (GB)
1975
Lorenzaccio
Helen Nichols
Hillbrow (GB)
1975
Swing Easy
Golden City
Duchess of Alba (GB)
1992 
Belmez (USA)
1987
El Gran Senor
Grace Note
Juliette Marny (GB)
1972
Blakeney
Set Free
Dam
La Marlia (FR)
1997
Kaldounevees (FR)
1991 
Kaldoun (FR)
1975
Caro
Katana
Safaroa (FR)
1978
Satingo
Traverse Afar
La Rotunda (FR)
1993
Romildo (GB)
1980
Busted
Caprera
Sugarberry (FR)
1989
Comrade in Arms
Maple Sugar

References

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  1. ^ Garvey, Andrew (1 November 2011). "The closest of calls". The Age. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Melbourne Cup decision for Dunaden to be made today". News.com.au. News Ltd. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  3. ^ Young, Craig (2 November 2011). "After a steak, a ride into the racing history books". The Age. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  4. ^ Cormick, Brendan (20 October 2012). "Dunaden wins $2.65m Caulfield Cup courtesty of Williams' magic ride". The Australian. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  5. ^ "Dunaden defies history in Caulfield Cup". afr.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25.
  6. ^ "Dunaden to stand at Overbury Stud". ovstud.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Breed or own one of Dunaden's first-crop winners on the flat at two or three and be richly rewarded..." ovstud.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Dunaden Claims to Faim". ovstud.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Dunaden Sales Record". Racing Post. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Dunaden Pedigree". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
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