Im Ready Jet begins her next chapter after glittering career

One of Australia’s most decorated trotting mares, Im Ready Jet (Quaker Jet), has run her final race.

The curtain came down on her exceptional career on Saturday night at Melton, with the Yabby Dam Farms and Pat Driscoll-owned mare now set to begin a new chapter in the breeding barn.

Her record speaks volumes. From 84 starts, Im Ready Jet posted 29 wins, 14 seconds and 14 thirds, with a best mile rate of 1.53. She earned a total of $811,750 in prize money. More than just numbers, her resume is headlined by eight Group 1 triumphs, multiple major awards and a lasting legacy on the Australian trotting landscape.

Im Ready Jet was first trained by Anton Golino, who played a key role in her rise. Under his guidance she captured several of her earliest Group 1 victories, including the Breeders Crown at two and three, and the Need For Speed Princess Final. She became the first trotter to win Breeders Crown titles at two, three and four years of age, a rare and remarkable achievement.

Golino prepared her until mid-2024, before the reins were handed to Andy Gath, who continued to keep her at the elite level.

Gath took over training Im Ready Jet late in her career but had always respected her.

“I only trained her at the end, but I always admired her because she was competition for Majestuoso, McLovin and Tornado Valley. Every time she stepped out in a race, you always thought she was the hardest to beat because of her unbelievable ability,” he said.

“She has won a Group 1 nearly every year she raced. She has won eight all up. She is one of the better trotting mares we have seen over the last ten years, I would say,” Gath added.

Her success was made possible through the talents of several top drivers. Glen Craven, Jason Lee, Jack Laugher, Nathan Jack and Kate Gath all partnered her to feature race glory.

“After two below-par performances, we decided to retire her. She is too good a horse to cheapen after everything she has achieved,” Gath said.

“I was lucky enough to train her and I really appreciate the opportunity to have had such a quality horse in my care,” he said.

Im Ready Jet’s Group 1 wins came in some of the sport’s most prestigious mares’ features, including back-to-back victories in the Aldebaran Park Sumthingaboutmaori Free For All in 2024 and 2025, as well as the Macarthur Mile and Maori Mile.

She was a dual Victorian Aged Trotting Mare of the Year in 2022 and 2024, and earlier won Harness Breeders Victoria’s 3YO Trotting Filly of the Year in 2020 for a standout season that included two Group 1 titles.

Im Ready Jet now heads to the breeding barn, where her next chapter begins. There’s plenty of excitement about what her foals might achieve in the future.

by Bronte Nieuwenburg, for Harness Racing Victoria