News

More Than Ready fees hike

19th Apr 2009

Sydney Morning Herald - John Holloway - Monday, 20 April 2009

MORE THAN READY will be Australia's third-most-expensive stallion in 2009 following the decision by Vinery Stud to post a $135,000 (plus GST) service fee on the brilliant shuttle sire.

Studmaster Peter Orton (pictured) released the prices of Vinery's stallions with More Than Ready, sire of the past two Golden Slipper and Magic Millions winners, the only one going up.

"The demand for More Than Ready this season dictates a modest rise in his fee," Orton said. "His yearlings have sold extremely well in the past two years, even with the current downturn in the market. We were mindful of the challenges facing breeders at this time and have set our fees accordingly."

More Than Ready's juveniles Sebring (Golden Slipper) and Augusta Proud (Magic Millions) were the stallion's two 2008 stars, while Phelan Ready won both races this year before suffering bad interference in Saturday's AJC Sires' Produce Stakes.

More Than Ready's two-year-old progeny this season have already earned more than $4.1 million with 15 individual winners including five stakes winners.

Red Ransom ($60,000 plus GST) and Testa Rossa ($35,000 plus GST) remain at the same fees as last year but Vinery has dropped the prices considerably for Mossman ($12,000), Excites ($8000), Benicio ($8000), Dubleo ($5000) and Bel Danoro ($4000). All those prices are plus GST.

Meanwhile, the Bruce and Jason McLachlan-trained Phelan Ready is expected to be spelled after suffering abrasions when hitting the inside running rail in the AJC Sires' Produce.