Equestrian Community in Awe as $49,700 Equine Shines in Grade 1 Stakes, Showcasing Strategy to Preserve a Family Racing Legacy

Mick Ruis, a high school dropout, turned into an equestrian legend thanks to an extraordinary horse. He began his career in the scaffolding industry and became a millionaire through his successful business ventures. Later, he turned his attention to horse racing and bought a horse named Bolt d’Oro. This great runner won the $300,000 Grade I Del Mar Futurity in 2017 and catapulted Ruis’ fame as a successful trainer.

After many glorious years, Mick Ruis took a break from the stables, leaving it in the hands of his daughter Shelbe and her husband Antonio Garcia. However, he was forced to make a comeback when a titillating prospect presented itself in the form of a young colt with an all-too-familiar connection.

Mary’s Boy Bolt forced the equestrian trainer out of a long-term break

When Mick Ruis’ star horse Bolt d’Oro retired in 2019, he had already earned $1,016,000 for the stable. Ruis paused training for the next four years, only returning last month to the stable. He wants Mary’s Boy Bolt in Sunday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity for the $300,000 cash prize. The colt’s sire Bolt d’Oro had previously won the race for Ruis. By winning the Del Mar Futurity, Mary’s Boy Bolt would continue the legacy of his father.

He will run the seven furlongs as the outsider, but as his maiden race on August 26 showed, he will not have any problems. Even Mick Ruis is confident and said so in an interview with DRF, stating, “We know he can get the seven furlongs”. His greatest challenge would be Bob Baffert trained ‘Prince of Monaco’ who has the record of 16 starts in the Del Mar Futurity.

The Ruis family planned the breeding of Mary’s Boy Bolt very carefully. They did not want to leave anything to chance and went about it in a strategic manner. They chose Mary Edna as the mother, who is a $825,000 filly. Ruis bought her at a Yearling sale in 2017 and had bred it just once. Her first foal went on to become a winner, and the second one is already on his way up. However, Mick Ruis is not someone who puts all his eggs in one basket. He is preparing a lineup of other potential champions that will take the equestrian world by storm.

Mick Ruis’ plans for the upcoming season

Mick Ruis’ stables are entering into the big stakes this weekend with Pretty Layla on Saturday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante. This 2-year-old filly shares the name with Shelbe Ruis’ daughter. The 62-year-old equestrian legend is preparing to enter as many as 20 horses in the upcoming Santa Anita event. With the thought of building a lasting legacy, Ruis is also constructing 500 homes in Montana near his ranch.

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Jose DeLima will join Mick Ruis to help him prepare the horse for Santa Anita. If all goes to plan, Mick Ruis’ total wealth will rise by the end of 2023, helping him to buy another equestrian property within his planned schedule. Therefore, Mary’s Boy Bolt’s $300,000 graded stakes are of prime importance to him and winning it would solidify his position as a successful horse owner and trainer.

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