More Than Ready’s arrival for his latest book at Vinery has sparked another newsworthy week in the northern and southern hemispheres.
It was hard to tell who was more excited about his homecoming on Monday morning – the horse himself or the Vinery staff. He was full of beans and looked extremely happy!
Vision can be seen here
Vinery thanks WinStar Farm, IRT, Twin Hills Stud, Brad McCarthy and Goldners Horse Transport who all helped him arrive in incredible nick ahead of the Open Days on August 24 & 25.
More Than Ready kicked off the week with his 8th North American juvenile winner this year at Del Mar on Friday. His 2yo colt Clear To Close won a 1000m maiden on protest after being bumped twice by first past the post Deckology.
Clear To Close is the first foal of Canadian winner Sky Dancing (Sky Mesa) who is a half-sister to Brazilian Group 1 winning mare Estrela Monarchos. It’s the family of UK-Ireland champion colts El Gran Senor and Try My Best.
More Than Ready is third on the North American 2YO Sires’ premiership behind Into Mischief and Constitution. His divisional leader Magic Dance won the Debutante Stakes LR at Churchill Downs in June and followed up with courageous third, after stumbling at the start, in the Adirondack Stakes Gr.2 at Saratoga on Saturday.
On Monday at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale, More Than Ready’s colt from Rule One (Street Cry) made $275,000 to the bid of bloodstock agents Jason Litt & Alex Solis. He’s a half-brother to Whitney Stakes Gr.1 winner Diversify and was offered by Taylor Made Sales (as agent) for Watercress Farm owner John Hertrich.
“He’s a star,” Taylor Made general manager Mark Taylor declared. “He’s an athlete with all the power you would expect of a More Than Ready. He was bred in Kentucky and is also eligible for the rich bonus program in New York.”
In New Zealand on Tuesday, More Than Ready jumped the gun during the first 2yo trials of the season at Te Teko. His colt Ready For This dead-heated with a Reliable Man filly clocking 38.17s over 630m.
Ready For This was purchased for $180,000 by Te Akau Racing owner David Ellis at the this year’s NZB Karaka Sale. His dam Costarosa (Encosta De Lago) is a half-sister to VRC Cap D’Antibes Stakes LR winner Members Joy.
“He did a really good job to make steady ground from back in the field,” trainer Jamie Richards explained. “When he got on the right leg, he really attacked the line. He’s a beautiful horse and looks like a ready-made two-year-old.”
More Than Ready ($55,000) heads the Vinery roster this year alongside All Too Hard ($27,500), Star Turn ($22,000), Headwater ($16,500), Press Statement ($16,500), Pluck ($6,600) & Casino Prince ($6,600). All fees include GST.
