Vinery's Australian division buys into Pluck, winner of BC Juvenile Turf

The Kentucky-based Vinery’s Australian division has bought what it called “a major share” in Pluck, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

The deal virtually guarantees that Pluck eventually will enter stud in Australia – where his sire, More Than Ready – already is a leading stallion -- at the end of his racing career.

Vinery Stud in eastern Australia, which stands More Than Ready during the Southern Hemisphere breeding season, said plans call for the 2-year-old Pluck to point for either the Irish or French 2000 Guineas in 2011 before returning to the States for the Breeders’ Cup. Pluck remains in training with Todd Pletcher.

“Knowing the ability and preference the More Than Ready stock have to turf, we jumped at the chance to firstly be involved with this colt’s racing career and secondly to secure ourselves a unique stallion prospect if all was to go well,” said Vinery Stud’s general manager, Peter Orton.

More Than Ready also sired More Than Real, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

A Team Valor homebred, Pluck is out of the Fort Wood mare Secret Heart, a South African-bred stakes-winner who was Group 1-placed in her native country. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf was Pluck’s second graded stakes win, following his victory in Canada’s Grade 3 Summer Stakes. He also finished second behind Rustler Hustler in the Continental Mile Stakes on grass at Monmouth but was disqualified to fourth.

From three wins and a third in five starts to date, Pluck has earned $725,440.