Two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome was represented by his first winner at stud on Saturday, when Sunkar Time won a maiden race at Krasnodar Racetrack in Russia, Alan Carasso of Thoroughbred Daily News reports.
Sunkar Time prevailed in a 1,400-meter race (about seven furlongs), winning on debut for owner Rustam Mantikov and trainer O.S. Samokhina.
The colt was bred in Kentucky by Bruce C. Ryan, out of the multiple stakes-placed Left Banker mare Kiosk, an Ohio Broodmare of the Year whose runners include two-time Ohio Horse of the Year Needmore Flattery, stakes winner Kiosk's Cause, and stakes-placed Monetary Reward.
Sunkar Time sold to Mikhail Yanakov's Olympia Star for $14,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and he was exported to Russia to compete under new ownership.
Krasnodar Racetrack was also the site of the first winner by Claiborne Farm resident Ironicus in June. Other stallions of note to pick up first winners in Russia include Horse of the Year and classic sire Curlin, and champion Big Brown.
California Chrome is at the end of his first season at Arrow Stud in Japan after being purchased by the JS Company LTD. last fall and exported, with high expectations for his first book of mares in his new home. He spent his first two seasons at Taylor Made Stallions in Nicholasville, Ky.
As part of the sale agreement, the California Chrome Syndicate has the first right of refusal if California Chrome is ever sold, and upon retirement from breeding, he can live out the remainder of his life at Taylor Made.
A 9-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome became one of the top runners of his generation during his on-track career, winning 16 of 27 starts for $14,752,650. He was named Horse of the Year in 2014 and 2016, and racked up a list of notable victories including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Dubai World Cup, along with scores in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, Hollywood Derby, Pacific Classic Stakes, and Awesome Again Stakes.
California Chrome is out of the winning Not For Love mare Love the Chase. Champion Cascapedia is in his extended family.
California Chrome was represented by his first winner when Sunkar Time (2c x Kiosk, by Left Banker) scored on debut Saturday at Krasnodar. He is a half-brother to multiple OH-bred SW Needmore Flattery.
— Alan Carasso (@EquinealTDN) July 20, 2020
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