Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Further Ado

Dec 02, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Further Ado wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

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. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., the juvenile endured 1 1/16 miles on the fast main surface in 1:43.33 en route to his initial black-type tally.

Universe, Soldier N Diplomat, Very Connected, and Cherokee Nation rounded out the top five and earned qualifying points on a 5-3-2-1 structure.

Further Ado picks up 10 Kentucky Derby points in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club at @ChurchillDowns! 🌟🏆@iradortiz was aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing and @spendthriftfarm!

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— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 29, 2025

“This was a really good test for him,” said Cox about his pupil. “He won very impressively last time. Today, he had to show a different dimension and really dig down late to get by. It’s very important to get a horse like this started early on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Hopefully, he can bring us right back here in the spring.”

Further Ado commenced his career at Saratoga on July 26 and finished unplaced in a six-furlong dash with special weight company on the main oval. In his second lifetime appearance, the chestnut was a non-threatening third in a similar type of tilt while running seven-eighths at The Spa. Stretching out to 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 10, the well-bred freshman registered an eye-popping, 20-length victory while making his route debut. His lifetime line now reads 4-2-0-1, $320,703.

Further Ado dominates to break his maiden in R8 at @keeneland under @iradortiz for trainer @bradcoxracing and owner @spendthriftfarm! 💪

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— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 10, 2025

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by John C. Oxley, and the son of Gun Runner passed through the auction ring on a pair of occasions. He attracted a final bid of $275,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, prior to bringing the gavel down at $550,000 at OBS in April.

Further Ado was produced from the Grade 3 placed Sky Mesa mare Sky Dreamer, who counts herself a half-sister to Grade 1 queen Dream Dancing. He was preceded in graded glory by his half-brother Kimbear, who earned his biggest win in the 2020 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G2) at Meydan. His third dam is six-time Grade 1 victress Beautiful Pleasure, who was voted as the 1999 Champion Older Mare.