Owner

Spendthrift Farm LLC (Eric P. Gustavson)

Trainer

Brad H. Cox

Jockey

Ortiz Jr., Irad

Breeder

John C. Oxley

Earnings

$1,068,095

Color

Chestnut

Overview

Bet Further Ado with TwinSpires, the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby

 

Meet Further Ado

Further Ado is a chestnut three-year-old colt who was born on March 15, 2023, in Kentucky. He's racing for Spendthrift Farm with trainer Brad H. Cox, who is known for developing really good horses.

Further Ado's Family Tree

Further Ado's dad is Gun Runner, a super successful racehorse who won 12 races and earned nearly $16 million during his career. Gun Runner is now a breeding stallion helping create future champions. Further Ado's mom is Sky Dreamer, a former racehorse herself who competed on various racing surfaces and showed she was a tough competitor.

 

Further Ado's Wins

Further Ado has raced six times and won three of those races, earning $1,146,328 in the process. He's proven he can win at the 1 1/8 miles, indicating a further stretch out to 1 1/4 mile (the Kentucky Derby distance) is well within reach. On Nov. 29, 2025, he won a stakes race at Churchill Downs, and on March 7, 2026, he finished second in a stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs. HIs most recent win was an 11-length dominating stakes score at Keeneland on April 4. All of his races have been on fast dirt, which is hopefully what he'll face in the Kentucky Derby.

Why Experts Like Further Ado

Further Ado has the bloodlines you want to see in a Derby horse – his dad was a champion, and his mom was a competitor. He's trained by someone who knows how to get horses ready. He's winning at the right distance and on the right surface. Most importantly, he's racing recently and performing well, which means he's fit and ready to run.

 

Caution: Why He Might Not Win

Further Ado has only raced six times, so he's still relatively inexperienced. He hasn't raced on anything but fast dirt, so we don't know how he'd handle different track conditions. He'll need to prove he can beat the best Derby competition to earn serious consideration.

 

Further Ado Important Related Information

Pedigree

Sire Name Gun Runner

Dam Name Sky Dreamer

Derby News April 4, 2026

Further Ado romps in Blue Grass

Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado prepped for the Kentucky Derby with a dazzling win in Saturday’s $1.23 million Blue Grass at Keeneland, drawing clear by 11 lengths in the major qualifier.

Derby News November 29, 2025

Further Ado draws away in Kentucky Jockey Club

Odds-on favorite Further Ado won Saturday’s $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), giving Louisville native Brad Cox his milestone 500th Churchill Downs win as a trainer.

Horse Profile December 2, 2025

Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Further Ado

Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado accumulated 10 points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series leaderboard following his 1 3/4-length triumph in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29.

Stay Up To Date With The Latest News

Read here for the latest updates around the Kentucky Derby.

Wager big on the Kentucky Derby

View Expert Picks, Live Odds, Future Wager Pools and more!

Download the Derby App

The new and improved Kentucky Derby app has everything you need to enjoy your day at the races. Both Android and iOS apps are now available!

FOLLOW FOR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVES

Book Your Premium Experience

For Premium tickets, give us a call at 5026364447