THE owners of Vinery paid young sire Onemorenomore a wonderful compliment by choosing him to carry on the male line of Red Ransom (USA) at the historic Scone property – Bluebloods April

 

The Gr.1 winner has big shoes to fill as Red Ransom was an international stud success with more than 900 winners of $100m, 14 of them Gr.1 winners. Red Ransom covered his final restricted southern book in 2009 at Vinery (fee $66,000), dying on November 14 that year following complications for abdominal surgery at age 22. He left 46 live foals from that final crop and his 11 southern seasons yielded 640 foals, notably champion Typhoon Tracy, boom young sires Charge Forward and Domesday, and a host of sons just beginning their stud careers.

 

Onemorenomore

Onemorenomore was just as warmly embraced by breeders as he was by Vinery’s owners and nearby Patinack Farm (whose owner Nathan Tinkler raced the horse and has retained a significant stake in the stallion), as his first book attracted 145 mares at a fee of $24,200 and it’s easy to see why. He won the Champagne Stakes-Gr.1 at two and his Gr.3-winning dam Palia is by champion sprinter/miler and world wide stud success Last Tycoon (IRE) and from outstanding producer Kew Gardens (FR), a stakes placed daughter of Champion French Sire, and later Australian stud success, Kenmare (FR), a representative of the Grey Sovereign male line. Immediate family members include Just Awesome, Gr.1 winner Casino Prince and outstanding English sprinter Piccolo (GB), little wonder that Patinack Farm’s Nathan Tinkler was determined to buy the handsome bay at the 2008 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, going to $800,000 in the face of spirited opposition (and giving the horse his name).

 

In fact high prices are standard for this family as Onemorenomore’s half-brother Dr Green (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA)) cost $NZ480,000 at Karaka in 2004 and went on to be a stakes winner in NZ and Gr.2 placed in NZ and Australia before embarking on a stud career in Queensland (with a winner and placegetter from just four runners to early March), while their dam was a $150,000 Easter yearling in 1996, knocked down to the bid of good judge Rob McAnulty. Onemorenomore had his first run for trainer Anthony Cummings in the Listed Breeders’ Plate (1000m) on October 4, 2008 and was third behind Real Saga on a dead track. Put away until February 28, 2009, and now trained by Jason Coyle, Onemorenomore was third behind Melito in the Silver Slipper Stakes-Gr.2 after being with the leaders throughout, he was then fifth behind Manhattan Rain in the Skyline Stakes-Gr.3 and broke through for a well deserved win in the T.L. Baillieu Handicap-LR (1400m) at Randwick on April 1, running 1:25.30 on the heavy track, before a fourth behind Manhattan Rain, Tickets and Rostova in the AJC Sires’ Produce-Gr.1 (1400m) on a dead track on April 18.

Back in action of April 25, and at his first test at 1600m, Onemorenomore scored a dominant win in the AJC Champagne Stakes-Gr.1, leaving Pago Pago Stakes-Gr.2 winner Tickets four lengths in his wake and with $1.80 favourite Manhattan Rain third on the slow surface (1:39.46). Sent for a spell, Onemornomore was back in action early in the new season with a fourth to Rarefied in the Up and Coming Stakes-Gr.3 (1200m) on August 22 and followed that with a fourth, beaten 2.1 lengths, behind More Than Great, So You Think and Exceed With Me in the Tatts Ming Dynasty Handicap-LR (1400m) at Randwick on September 5.

A new trainer (John P. Thompson) was at the helm for his next start against the older performers in the George Main Stakes-Gr.1 (1600m) at headquarters on September 26 and the three year-old wasn’t disgraced at weight for age when third, beaten 1.25 lengths by Road to Rock and Black Piranha and with $2m earners Vision and Power and Mentality in fourth and fifth, 3.75 lengths and 6.4 lengths behind the winner.

Onemorenomore was mid-field in the Spring Champion Stakes-Gr.1 (2000m) behind Monaco Consul next time out and was sent to Melbourne for the Norman Robinson Stakes on October 17, finishing 1.5 lengths second behind Shamoline Warrior on the dead track over 2000m, and had his final outing on October 31 when five lengths sixth behind Monaco Consul in the VRC Derby-Gr.1 (2500m) after setting the pace for most of the journey on a good track, retiring with earnings of $456,510.

Patinack Farm, who raced Onemorenomore, retained a significant interest in the stallion and has supported the horse heavily.

“He is a colt very close to my heart as he is the first Gr.1 winner that we bought as a yearling. The decision to stand him at Vinery is part of a strategic direction for Patinack. We stand his close relative Casino Prince so we are delighted to have Onemorenomore stand close by. It goes without saying that we will be sending some of our best mares to him,” Nathan Tinkler said at the time of the horse’s retirement to Vinery.

“We were delighted to secure Onemorenomore, he is a magnificent looking horse who raced against and defeated some of the best two year-olds in the land. He has a great pedigree that will offer many more opportunities for broodmare owners. With the loss of Red Ransom we were very keen to secure a son to take his place on our roster and hopefully, in the future on stallion tables,” Vinery general manager Peter Orton said.

When billionaire thoroughbred breeder Paul Mellon gave the fragile Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia by Damascus) his chance at stud in Kentucky in 1991, he could hardly have imagined the success story that would follow. Mellon, who died at 91 on February 1, 1999, raced many good horses including European champion Mill Reef, Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero, Arts and Letters and Fort Marcy, the US Horse of the Year in 1969 and 1970 respectively and won Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Breeder in the US in 1971 and 1986.

He is one of a handful of people designated as an “Exemplar of Racing” by the US National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the English Jockey Club Hall of Fame. Mellon was co-heir to one of America’s greatest fortunes, created by his banking grandfather Thomas and then his father Andrew, a former ambassador to Britain, and uncle Richard and gave millions to his favourite causes, helping the arts, universities and the thoroughbred industry, including donating more than $US8m for the care of retired racehorses in the US and Britain.

Yet when his autobiography Reflections in a Silver Spoon was published in 1992 he said, “I have been an amateur in every phase of my life; an amateur poet, an amateur scholar, an amateur horseman, an amateur farmer, an amateur soldier, an amateur connoisseur of art, an amateur publisher, and an amateur museum executive. The root of the word ‘amateur’ is the Latin word for love, and I can honestly say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the roles I have played.”

One of the Mellon-bred horses who did not achieve great heights on the track, but went on to achieve greatness at stud was Red Ransom, who was bred at Mellon’s Virginia property and had just three starts for Mellon’s Rokeby Stables. His sire won the English Derby and his dam, a daughter of US Horse of the Year Damascus, is a half-sister to Mellon’s multiple Gr.1 winner Winter’s Tale (Arts and Letters). Trained by Mack Miller, Red Ransom set a track record for 5f at Saratoga (56.40) on debut at two and then won a 6f 2YO Allowance at Belmont Park. He finished second in a 7f Allowance at Gulfstream Park at his only start at three and was retired after fracturing a sesamoid during a track gallop. He entered stud at Vinery, Kentucky in 1991 on a fee of $7500 (it would rise to $75,000 in 2001), and on Mellon’s death Red Ransom became the property of a syndicate.

He was an instant success at stud. His first crop included talented English two year-old Sri Pekan (sire) and five stakeswinning juveniles in the US, making him that country’s Leading First Crop Sire in 1994. He first shuttled to Australia in 1998. To early March he had 1277 starters from 1664 named foals (76.7%) with 903 winners (70.7% of starters) and 137 placed runners. His 99 stakes winners (7.8%) of runners and 96 stakes placed runners (7.5%) signify a high class sire. His 14 Gr.1 winners are led by Typhoon Tracy who bowed out of competition recently after winning her sixth Gr.1 event, the C.F. Orr Stakes (11 wins in 20 starts for $2.43m) and whose dam Tracy’s Element is also by Last Tycoon, the same potent mix found in the pedigree of Onemorenomore.

Red Ransom’s other local Gr.1 winners are Charge Forward (dam by Bletchingly, second dam by Valid Appeal), Duporth (Success Express), All American (Strawberry Road, Mr. Prospector) and Red Dazzler (Danehill), while his northern-sired winners include Perfect Sting (Valid Appeal), Electrocutionist (Arazi), Red Clubs (First Trump), Ransom O’War (Polish Precedent), Ekraar (Raja Baba), Bail Out Becky (Naskra), Reggane (Alzao) and Casual Look (Manila).

It’s worth noting that Gr.2 winner Portillo is also out of a mare by Polish Precedent and daughters of her half-brothers Snowland, Snippetson and Freeze (all ex Snowdrift (FR)) could make good mates for sons of Red Ransom. Smart performer Romneya is out of a mare by Danehill (another good cross) and Silver Slipper Stakes-Gr.2 winner, and very good young sire Duporth is out of a mare by Zafonic (Gone West) and from the family of Best in Show (as are Last Tycoon’s sire Try My Best, Redoute’s Choice, Spinning World, Umatilla, Al Maher, Hurricane Sky and El Gran Senor).

Red Ransom’s daughters have produced 670 winners of $66m including 53 stakes winners (5.3%) and their four Gr.1 winners are Devil May Care (Malibu Moon), Mahbooba (Galileo) and Eyjur (Dayjur) in the north, and Red Ruler (by Danehill’s son Viking Ruler) in NZ. Other stakes winners from his daughters are sired by Theatrical, A.P. Indy, Distorted Humor, Snitzel, Rainbow Quest, Precise End, Forest Wildcat, Rahy (multiple), Diesis, Tale of the Cat (multiple), Forestry and Anabaa.

Roberto (Hail to Reason-Bramalea by Nashua), winner of the 1972 English Derby and 1973 Coronation Cup for owner John Galbreath and trainer Vincent O’Brien, left 79 stakes winners and his 10 Gr.1 winners include Melbourne Cup hero and good sire At Talaq (USA), Lear Fan, Sunshine Forever and very good Japan-based sire Brian’s Time, while another son Kris S., who also had just three starts, became a very good sire in the US (his son Brocco has plenty of daughters in Australia and the cross with Red Ransom sons could be a good one). Red Ransom’s Gr.2 winners include terrific sire Dynaformer, whose son Americain won the 2010 Melbourne Cup, while other successful sons of Roberto include Robellino, Real Shadai and Silver Hawk, while his daughters have produced more than 130 stakes winners including Warning, Commander in Chief, Electronic Unicorn, Sunshack, Observatory and Reams of Verse among 20 Gr.1 winners.

Hail to Reason (Turn-to-Nothirdchance by Blue Swords) was a Champion Two Year Old in the US while Roberto’s dam Bramalea won the CCA Oaks, and they shared nine ancestors (out of 24) in the third and fourth generations of their pedigrees, making Roberto an intensely inbred individual. (For fans of the Rasmussen Factor, Roberto carries a 5fx4m cross of Mumtaz Begum and a 5m,5mx7m,5m cross of Plucky Liege). The Hail to Reason line is also represented strongly these days by Halo and his descendants, including fellow Vinery sire More Than Ready, and the latter’s daughters should suit Onemorenomore.

Palia (Last Tycoon-Kew Gardens (FR) by Kenmare (FR)), dam of Onemorenomore, counted the Emancipation Stakes-Gr.3 among her four wins from 1200m-1600m and she is a sister to Concorde Stakes-LR winner and sire Just Awesome. She is also the dam of stakes winner Dr Green (Fusaichi Pegasus) and his stakes placed brothers Roussay and Fury. Her sire Last Tycoon (Try My Best-Mill Princess by Mill Reef) won the Kings’ Stand Stakes-Gr.1 at 5f at Royal Ascot and the Sprint Championship-Gr.1 (5f) at York in 1986 and then for good measure travelled to the US and won the Breeders’ Cup Mile-Gr.1 (beating Palace Music) before an outstanding stud career, leaving the likes of Australian Horse of the Year Mahogany and leading NZ sire O’Reilly among 750 winners (76SW, 18 Gr.1).

His daughters have produced 1137 winners (121SW), 24 at Gr.1 level led by the southern products Typhoon Tracy, Sun Classique (Fuji Kiseki) and Bentley Biscuit (Peintre Celebre) and also including star Japanese sire King Kamehameha (Kingmambo), Inspiration (Flying Spur), Casino Prince (Flying Spur), Joyful Winner (El Moxie), Keltos (Kendor), King’s Drama (King’s Theatre), Green Birdie (Catbird), Hill of Grace (Zabeel), Suntagonal (Octagonal), Hill of Grace (Zabeel), Dariana (Redoute’s Choice), The Mighty Lions (Grosvenor), Roman Emperor (Montjeu) and Sousa (Galileo).

Second dam Kew Gardens (Kenmare-Garden Green by Pinturischio, a son of Pinza) was stakes placed in France at 1100m and produced seven winners including stakes-placed sire Markane (Red Ransom) and is a half-sister to Woodwind (dam of former shuttler Piccolo, a Gr.1 winner).

One of Palia’s sisters, Lady Capel, produced Gr.1 winner Casino Prince (Flying Spur) and Listed winners Lord of the Land (Timber Country) and Tagus (Encosta de Lago). This is also the family of good HK performer Green Birdie (Catbird). Garden Green’s dam is the Faubourg (FR) mare Focal, a daughter of Lady Kells by His Highness (Hyperion) and Anyway (Grand Glacier-The Widow Murphy by Pomme-De-Terre)). This is family 21a and Lady Kells is a half-sister to Irish 2000 Guineas winner Solonaway (by the Fairway horse Solferino). One of Focal’s daughters Vivante (Bold Lad) produced the Gr.2 winner Head For Heights (Shirley Heights), while Lady Kells’ descendants include sires Broad Brush, Exceller and Capote and Gr.1 winner and producer Heavenly Body (all via her daughter, noted broodmare Dangerous Dame by Nasrullah).

Onemorenomore is being given every opportunity to succeed at Vinery, and he has a head start given his sire’s affinity with the ever-present strains of Danehill in the Australian broodmare population. Daughters of the Arrowfield-based trio of Danehill sons Flying Spur, Danzero and Redoute’s Choice look good choices for Onemorenomore as do mares by Emirates Park’s young Danehill son Al Maher (dam by Don’t Say Halo). Hussonet (whose dam produced a good horse to Red Ransom) and other sons of Mr. Prospector also appeal as do sires from the Sir Ivor line, Octagonal and his sire Zabeel in particular, while daughters of brief shuttler Piccolo (Warning) and Just Awesome, who hail from the same family as Vinery’s young sire, also have appeal.