USA Horse of the Year Curlin has sired his first winner and, like Vinery shuttler Big Brown, the breakthrough came in Russia.

Curlin stands at Lane’s End Farm and he doubled up with Lucky First (Rostov-on-Don) and Zimniy Dvorets (Moscow) last Sunday.

Lucky First (2c Curlin – Dragon Fly by Sadler’s Wells) was bred in Kentucky and sold for $19,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale.  His dam is a half-sister to Lunaliona (Caerleon) who was imported to Australia by Arrowfield Stud in 1997.  She foaled five winners down here headed by LR Morphettville Guineas winner Lunaspur (Flying Spur).

Zimniy Dvorets (2c Curlin – Stolen Prayer by Songandaprayer) was also bred in Kentucky and cost $25,000 at the Keeneland September sale.  He is also the first winner for a mare who captured four stakes races in Florida.

Curlin (Smart Strike) was a G1 winner of the 2007 Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic.  He added the G1 Dubai World Cup the following year and retired with earnings of $10.50 million.

Vinery shuttler Big Brown sired his first winner in Russia earlier this month when Ruby Brown won at Kazan.  She was exported to Russia after selling for $15,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale.