Leading West Australian owner breeder Bob Peters has a big opinion of his Vancouver gelding Dunbar, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Belmont on Saturday.
Trained by Grant and Alana Williams, Dunbar opened his career earlier this month with a debut win at Pinjarra and was installed a hot favourite for the open juvenile event over 1000 metres.
He settled midfield and was strong to the line, scoring by half a length running away.
Dunbar was a $180,000 Inglis Ready 2Race purchase for Hunter Valley Bloodstock on behalf of Mr and Mrs Peters and was a successful pinhook having been bought for $70,000 by John Ramsey from the Supreme Thoroughbreds draft at Inglis Premier.
Dunbar is the third winner from three foals to race from Koonya, a half-sister by Nadeem to Group II winner Brazuca and stakes-winner Mr Utopia from the family of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Catnipped.
Dunbar may be the first of many winners by Vancouver to carry the famed colours of Bob and Sandra Peters, who have sent a selection of their best mares to the champion son of Medaglia D’Oro.
The Peters’ have already had a big result from Vancouver as they bred and sold the most expensive yearling from his first crop with a filly from Group II WA Derby winner Arcadia Dream fetching $950,000 at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Purchased by Godolphin and named Iolanthe, she is the first foal of Arcadia Dream, who is a sibling to Group I winner Arcadia Queen, Group III winner Arcadia Prince and stakes-winner Arcadia Rose from the family of Group I WATC Railway Stakes and MRC All Star Mile winner Regal Power.
Dunbar is a bright prospect for Vancouver, who stands at a fee of $30,250 at Coolmore this spring, which might be outstanding value given the quality he has in his first large crop of rising three year-olds.
