by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — French trotter Ready Cash is now the richest horse in harness racing history, with $5.71 million in purses when converted to U.S. dollars.

The 8-year-old Ready Cash won the final of the European Trotting Masters at Vincennes last weekend to push his lifetime earnings past retired trotters Varenne and Moni Maker on the all-time money list. Varenne earned $5.63 million in his career while Moni Maker banked $5.58 million.

Foiled Again is the richest pacer on the list, with $5.30 million. The 9-year-old Foiled Again on Monday night won his elimination for the Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway. He drew post eight in the eight-horse $223,500 final on Sept. 16.

Gerard Forni photo

Ready Cash won the final of the European Trotting Masters at Vincennes last weekend to become the richest harness horse ever.

Ready Cash, a son of Indy De Vive-Kidea, has won 40 of 63 career races, including four of six this season. He won the prestigious Prix D’Amerique in 2011 and 2012 and finished second this year. He also is a two-time winner of the Group I Prix de France.

He should not be confused with the North American pacer Ready Cash, who retired last year at the age of 14 with career earnings of $458,747.

The trotter Ready Cash, who has never raced in North America, and Foiled Again both had their first million-dollar season in 2011; Ready Cash at the age of 6 and Foiled Again at the age of 7. Ready Cash earned a career-best $1.39 million last year and has topped $1.17 million this season.

Foiled Again has earned $678,234 this year, making him the season’s richest older pacer, and collected $1.20 million last season. He is the oldest pacer in history to have a million-dollar campaign.