Funtastic Makes it 22 Group 1 Winners for More Than Ready

Mark Smith - Sunday July 1

Wow, you just can't keep the legend More Than Ready (US) down and what a day he had Stateside on Saturday.

Not long after his 2yo son Sir Truebadour took his record to two from three starts with a 2-length romp in the Grade III Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs, his 4yo son Funtastic made his first stakes win count when grinding out a victory in the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes on the turf at Monmouth Park.

That makes it 22 winners at the highest level for the Vinery veteran who makes his 18th trip to Australia this spring.

The outsider of Chad Brown's 4-horse entry in the United Nations Stakes, Funtastic seemed to shock everyone other than his trainer when downing stablemate Money Multiplier by half a length.


"I was pleasantly surprised but not shocked," Brown told The Blood-Horse.

"I knew it would be a tough race and the owner Mr. (Goncalo Borges) Torrealba deserves all credit. He was sure this horse could stay a distance of ground in grade 1 class.

"I was thinking about the Manhattan (June 9 at Belmont), then decided to run in a long allowance race at Belmont, and if he ran well, then maybe the United Nations would be a better race for him. Then as this race approached, I thought this wasn't going to be easy, either. Mr. Torrealba said, 'I want to run. Let's just see how he stands.'

"Antonio (Gallardo) rode a wonderful race to take the initiative coming out the race. He used his horse a little bit to get position and then backed it down enough to carry him all the way. I thought it was a really, really superb ride. It was his first grade 1 win, and I was so happy to be a part of it. He's really a top rider.

"He (Funtastic) is an outstandingly bred horse. He's a half to (2005 Horse of the Year) Saint Liam," Brown said. "I know he was a dirt horse, but Funtastic was bred in the purple and had a right to be a grade 1 horse on some circuits."

Funtastic advances his record to 4 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 9 starts with earnings of $384,943.

This is a family really on the move as Funtastic is also a half-brother to another three stakes winners headed by the Grade II-winning Giant Causeway mare Quiet Giant who is the dam of reigning Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride).

More Reading...
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.