Tales from the Crib: Tom's Ready

Apr 30, 2016 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Tom’s Ready was bred and raised by Blackstone Farm near Pine Grove, Pennsylvania.

Unlike fellow Pennsylvania-bred Mor Spirit, who lived there only a couple of weeks before moving to Kentucky, Tom’s Ready spent his babyhood and much of his yearling year in the Keystone State – punctuated by a couple of side trips.

As a foal, Tom’s Ready traveled with his dam, Goodbye Stranger, to Kentucky for her to be bred. But mother and son then returned home to Pennsylvania.

“He was always a very nice foal,” recalled Christian Black Hansen, managing partner of Blackstone. “He was actually very straightforward.

“He was very exploring” and “very independent as a young foal and forward.”

After he was weaned, Tom’s Ready was shipped to Kentucky again for the Keeneland November Sale. Bidding maxxed out at $145,000, below his reserve price, so back he went to Blackstone.

Tom’s Ready made his second appearance at public auction as a yearling the following summer, this time in upstate New York. At Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, he was sold for the same price, $145,000, to GMB Racing.

The nom de course of Gayle Benson, GMB Racing also owns Derby contender Mo Tom. Both horses’ names refer to her husband, Tom Benson, best known as the owner of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.

Foal photo courtesy of Blackstone Farm.

Yearling photo by Taylor Made.