When the members of the SBOA mentoring group purchased Grin For Money for $20,000 as a yearling, they had aspirations of eventually snaring some of the sport's most lucrative races
. He didn't win the Pepsi North America Cup or his OSS Super Final, but Grin For Money did bring the group a roughly $477,000 windfall.
On Sunday, October 24, Grin For Money, a now-four-year-old son of Ontario sire Grinfromeartoear, topped SC's 2011 Fall Extravaganza Mixed Sale at Flamboro Downs.
"Brad Grant purchased him, so nobody from the original SBOA mentor group has any more connection to him," Grin For Money's trainer, John Kopas, told Trot Insider. "Brad told me about a week before the sale that he was looking to buy the horse at the sale and keep him in my barn, which I was also very appreciative of."
"In terms of the group that got in on the ground floor with this horse through the SBOA mentoring program, I hoped they enjoyed it. They purchased the colt for $20,000 and he earned $322,000 on the track. When you add in the fact that they just sold him for $155,000, that's a pretty good windfall overall. What is equally important is that all of the members of the SBOA mentorship group had a positive time with the horse, and hopefully they stay in the industry as owners."
In terms of Grin For Money, Kopas explained that he is just looking forward to seeing his charge continue to be successful on the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit.
"This horse's earning potential is there. When you have a 'Saturday Night' horse like he is, and you're racing in Ontario with the type of purse structure that he can race in on the Woodbine Entertainment circuit, there is no reason to race anywhere else.
"That is why if I can continue to buy Ontario-breds and race within the outstanding program we have right here at home, why would I race anywhere else?"
In regard to Grin For Money's brief absence from the track, Kopas said that it is all part of the plan. "He hasn't raced in three weeks, but that is by design," Kopas said. "We've done it in the past with him by design and he comes back fresh and eager."
Admirals Express earned over
Admirals Express earned over $2,000,000. being a Saturday night horse in the $50,000. Open. Let's hope Grin For Money can do it too - I've followed his racing career and he makes had Daddy proud.