After a bumper 59 career starts, 2009 Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready has been retired from racing bowing out with over $3.7 million in prize money.

2009 Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready has been retired from racing. Photo: Daniel Costello.
Prepared on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland by Jason McLachlan, the son of More Than Ready is best known for winning the world’s richest race for two-year-olds during his juvenile season six years ago.
After four previous runs to kick start his career, including a win in the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast and a second to Real Saga in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m), the gallant gelding secured his place in history beating home Headway in the Group 1 AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m).
He went on to become famous for a very different reason, known as the horse that couldn’t win a race as it would be five years between victories.
His first post-Golden Slipper success didn’t come until August of 2014 when he saluted first-up over 1400m at Eagle Farm.
While he wasn’t first past the post, Phelan Ready was still very much earning his keep racing competitively in plenty of top class races.
Some of the highlights between his wins included a second to Danleigh in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) in 2009, finishing runner-up to Varenna Miss in the 2011 Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) in Brisbane and a credible fourth to superstar sprinter Hay List in the 2012 Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the Flemington straight.
After he broke the lengthy drought, Phelan Ready went on to win again two starts later at Doomben, which would turn out to be his final turf triumph.
The latest season from the former star juvenile was below par and concluded with a disappointing 15th of 16 runners when beaten over eight lengths by Daph ‘N’ Alf over 1400m at his home track on July 25.
His official record stands at 59 starts for four wins, six seconds and seven thirds for $3,772,350 in prize money.
McLachlan, who trained Phelan Ready in partnership with his late father Bruce for two years before his ing, confirmed the galloper’s retirement this week and said he could head to England to serve as a dressage horse after being let down at his uncle’s property.
“He will be nine (on Saturday). I will be very sad to see him go he has been fantastic for us,” he told AAP.
“I know they like to bag him but I reckon all those who give it to him would love to have a horse which won nearly four million dollars.
“He will probably end up in England for (part-owner) Bill Harris as a dressage horse.”
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