Tom Ryan is quite happy to channel his inner Canadian leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Ryan, who also heads SF Bloodstock, is thrilled to know Messier will have a legion of fans across Canada cheering on the son of Empire Maker this Saturday. The horse named after NHL legend Mark Messier, pegged at 8-1 in the morning line, has a legitimate shot.
Messier, trained by Tim Yakteen, sold for $470,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton in 2020. It was high-profile bloodstock agent, Montreal native Donato Lanni, who picked out the colt on behalf of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine M. Donovan, and Golconda Stable.
Ryan has high praise for Lanni’s ability to pick out top-rank talent. “He is amazing at what he does, and he obviously did a fantastic job finding us this horse. Plus, there is that Canadian connection with him as well.”