Denis of Cork

Denis of Cork (foaled February 16, 2005 in Florida) 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.