 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Highly Motivated, a son of perennial leading sire Into Mischief and a numerous track-record holder for Klaravich Stables, was added to Airdrie Stud's stallion list on November 15 for the 2023 breeding season for a cost of $7,500, live foal stands, and nurses.
Highly Motivated, trained by four-time Eclipse Award winner Chad Brown, was purchased as a weanling at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $240,000 on behalf of his owner by bloodstock agent Mike Ryan. In 10 starts, Highly Motivated went 4-3-1 with earnings of $667,365. In 2020 as a juvenile, he won the Nyquist Stakes at Keeneland by a wide margin, setting a new track record with a time of 1:14.99. Of all the 2YOs who raced during the Breeders' Cup Championship weekend at Keeneland, including eventual Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality and Breeders' Cup speedy Golden Pal, his 96 Beyer Speed Figure was the highest. According to his speed ratings, Highly Motivated was among the year's quickest young horses.
The next year, he would increase his distance to finish third in the Gr.3 Gotham Stakes, second in the Gr.2 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes behind Essential Quality, and tenth in the Gr.1 Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby (Gr.1).
This year as a 4YO, his best performances came at Monmouth Park, when he won the Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) and finished second in the Phillip E. Iselin Stakes (Gr.3). His 1:46.53 in the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth Cup race bested the previous mark set by 1985 Horse of the Year and Kentucky Derby victor Spend a Buck by 37 years.
Due to an injury, Highly Motivated was forced to retire from racing on October 23.
"At 2 and 3, Highly Motivated was the best colt in our barn, and he ran grade 1-winning numbers at both ages," Brown said. "He is one of the top stallions in the world, and he has set two track records. His potential as a stud is, in my opinion, limitless."