Russian Winners For Big Brown And Curlin

Monday, 25 June 2012: Vinery Stud's US classic winner Big Brown made a perfect start to his stud career when his first runner won on debut in Russia.

Ruby Brown, a 2YO filly from the Red Ransom mare Truly Ruby) won a five-furlong maiden at Kazan by three lengths.

The filly, trained by Marat Kozhomzharov on behalf of Volgogradskiy Stud Farm.

Big Brown, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2008, stands at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky and shuttles to Vinery Stud in Australia. The son of Boundary was also successful in the G1 Haskell Invitational and G1 Florida Derby.

Truly Ruby, a half-sister to Sun Chariot Stakes winner Majestic Roi, was bought for $15,000 at the Keeneland September sale.

"We're thrilled about Big Brown's first runner being a winner, and we're hearing exciting updates about the Big Browns in training, some of which are coming up to their first start in the coming weeks," said Case Clay of Three Chimneys.

Russia was also the scene for former US Horse of the Year Russia Curlin to be represented by the first two winners from his first crop.

Kentucky-bred Lucky Fly, out of the Sadler's Wells mare Dragon Fly, won on his debut at the Rostov-on-Don hippodrome. The colt was sold for $19,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale.

He was followed Curlin's second winner by Zimniy Dvorets in the Summer Prize Stakes, a Russian Group 2, at the Central Moscow hippodrome.

Also bred in Kentucky, he is out of the stakes-winning Songandaprayer mare Stolen Prayer and was sold to MAB Agency for $25,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Curlin (Smart Strike) won seven G1 events including the Preakness Stakes, two Jockey Club Gold Cups, Breeders' Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup and was placed in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

Curlin stands at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky.