Phelan Ready has been retired from racing and he is set to start a new career as a dressage horse in England.
Phelan Ready finally returned to winning form when he took out the Desleigh Forster Racing Handicap last year. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Phelan Ready made his racing debut back in December of 2008 when he finished third in the Listed Meynink Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on December 13 and he finished fourth in the Listed Tommy Smith Slipper (1200m) at Doomben before he scored an upset victory at a quote of 50/1 to take out the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
Trainer Bruce McLachlan opted to set Phelan Ready for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) following his Magic Millions Classic triumph and he made his Sydney racing debut with a second place finish behind Real Saga in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens before he upset a field that include the likes of Headway, Manhattan Rain, Reward For Effort, Wanted and More Joyous to take out the Golden Slipper.
Phelan Ready performed well in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old during the 2009 Spring Racing Carnival, but he was unable to replicate that form in his subsequent campaign.
He finished second behind Varenna Miss in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) at the start of his 2011 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and he continued to perform consistently at black-type level without breaking through for another race win.
Phelan Ready looked like had had finally return to winning form in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January last year, but he was narrowly denied by Velrosso before he finally ended his 46 race losing streak when he took out the Desleigh Forster Racing Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in August last year.
The rising nine-year-old added another win to his racing resume when he took out the XXXX Gold Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on December 20, but he failed to fire in three race starts during his winter campaign and connections elected to retire him after he beat home just a single runner in the 7 Local News 30th Anniversary Cup (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 25.
Phelan Ready will be given the opportunity to let down in a spelling paddock before he will likely be transferred to England where he will work as a dressage horse with part-owner Bill Harris.
Phelan Ready recorded only four wins from his 59 race starts, but he was able to accumulate only $4 million in prizemoney for connections.
