More Than Ready’s British based colt Strategical began paying back a substantial price-tag for Sheikh Mohammed on Thursday.
He started a long odds-on favourite at Yarmouth and made every yard with a minimum of fuss.
Strategical (2c More Than Ready – Mary Ellise by In Excess) cost Sheikh Mohammed 320,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Craven 2YO Sale in April. He had been pin-hooked by John Egan of Friarstown Bloodstock at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale.
Egan bought him for US$90,000 and then received the equivalent of US$516,130 after a blistering breeze-up at Newmarket. “I’m happy with that price,” a poker-faced Egan said after the colt topped Day 1 of the Craven Sale. “He’s a lovely horse – definitely a Group 1 winner of the future.”
Strategical (USA) is out of a sister to multiple stakes winner Spring Awakening and his family includes Group 1 winning stallions Editor’s Note and Hold That Tiger.
There was no immediate word about future plans for the colt although the Godolphin website posted an upbeat bulletin following Thursday’s victory…“Made no mistake at Yarmouth, suited by 1200m and likely to improve further.”
Vinery champion More Than Ready was already off the mark with his European based juveniles this year courtesy of USA bred youngster Renaissance Art.
Both colts are paid up for Breeders’ Cup engagements at Santa Anita in November.
Renaissance Art (2c More Than Ready – Lady Siphonica by Siphon) is trained by Jim Bolger and was a brilliant debut winner at the Curragh in June. He is from a sister to G1 Hollywood Futurity winner Siphonic.
More Than Ready has sired three Breeders’ Cup champions since 2010 and Vinery will stand him for a $99,000 (inc gst) service fee this year.
