BREEDERS’ Cup weekend proved to be a runaway success for Vinery Stud stallions – on and off the track – with More Than Ready and Big Brown progeny front and centre.

More Than Ready sired the winners of both divisions of the Breeders’ Cup to be leading sire of 2YO’s in Australia and the USA at the same time.

Both he and Big Brown played significant roles at the prestigious November Breeding Stock Sale at Keeneland in Kentucky where almost 5000 lots go under the hammer.
Among them were the first Big Brown weanlings to be offered at auction – an occasion welcomed by buyers from around the world.

Indeed, Lot 265, the first Big Brown weanling sold at the November sale was purchased by the Yunshun Company for US$135,000.
The filly is the first foal of Grade 3 winner Subtle Aly who also set a new track record at Churchill Downs when she ran a sizzling 50.4 seconds for the 41/2 furlongs as a two-year-old no less.
Earlier in the auction, Subtle Aly was sold in foal to Big Brown for US$320,000.
“First foals of mares that are also the first foals of stallions don’t usually make six figures. It was a fabulous start for Big Brown to kick off in this way, particularly with the US market being on the soft side,” Vinery’s Conor Phelan said.

“The November sale has huge appeal for local and overseas buyers and from all accounts Big Brown’s weanlings have impressed.
“From here on, we look forward to his yearlings at the July sale and the September sale where they will really have a big impact.”
Meanwhile, More Than Ready’s stunning double-take on the twoyearold races at nearby Churchill Downs this time a week saw a massive surge in demand for his stock in the US.

Boutique Kentucky nursery Denali Stud, home to Hall of Fame inductee Serena’s Song, spent US$700,000 on Lot 152 (Flock Of Doves) in foal to More Than Ready.
Flock Of Doves (by Kingmambo ex Visions Of Clarity) is a half relation to this year’s G2 Galileo Futurity-winning two-year-old, Pathfork.
Visions Of Clarity is threequartersister to former shuttle stallion Spinning World.
Later on, global breeding giants Shadi Farm (Jpn) outlaid US$450,000 on the Blushing Groom grand-daughter, Mt. Kobla.
The mare is a half sister to Florida Derby winner, Quality Road, as well as being a close relation to the nation’s former champion three-year-old filly, Ajina, a daughter of our own Strawberry Road.

“I think those results reflect the commercial appeal that More Than Ready has in America and other parts of the world,” Phelan commented.
“He is a global stallion and the best of his Australian crops are only just hitting the Sales ring.”