Shaun and Emma Clotworthy are enjoying the best of both worlds with their highly regarded three-year-old Willydoit.
The Byerley Park trainers pushed their budget to the maximum at Karaka to secure the son of Tarzino and have already been handsomely rewarded on their investment.
Following a first trial victory in the spring, they were joined in the ownership by My Racehorse, an American-based company who buy into horses around the world and sell down their interest in micro shares.
The unique business model was famously illustrated by Gr.1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) winner Authentic with My Racehorse’s 12.5 percent stake in the former US Horse of the Year shared among more than 5,000 people.
Willydoit will be chasing another Classic success with his impressive last-start maiden victory at Ellerslie propelling him to the top of the market for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), sharing a $10 quote for the March 8 feature.
“They (My Racehorse) bought 50 percent of him and the rest of the ownership is between us and Bryan Black,” Shaun Clotworthy said.
The agreement was brokered by Sydney bloodstock agent Andrew Williams with Willydoit to continue his longer-term career from Ciaron Maher’s stable.
“As part of the deal, after the Derby he will be off to Australia,” Clotworthy said.
Willydoit is out of the More Than Ready mare Willamette, whose dam Portland Singa won the Gr.1 Brisbane Cup (3200m).
“We bought him off Westbury Stud at Karaka for $75,000, he’s one of the more expensive horses we’ve ever bought,” Clotworthy said.
“Emma chose him and twisted my arm to buy him and I’m glad we did, he was right at the top of our range price wise.
“We saw him at the yearling parades and at the sale and Emma was adamant that we needed to get him.”
Willydoit finished third on debut at Te Aroha and then overcame a tardy start and trouble in the running at Ellerslie to win over 1400m.
“He has showed us plenty and had a bit of a reputation at home, so it was pleasing the way he won,” Clotworthy said.
“He came through it well and had a couple of easy days in the paddock and then in the pool. He’s a pretty happy and a relaxed type of horse.
“Our goal is to get him to the Derby so he will go to a three-year-old set weights and penalties mile at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and then we’ll assess things after that.”
Meanwhile, the stable will have several representatives at Ruakaka on Wednesday with Mr Acabello and La Parisienne expected to be their best chances of success.
Belardo four-year-old Mr Acabello will step out in the Roofing Specialists Northland Maiden (2100m) off the back of fourth placings at Pukekohe and Te Aroha.
“He’s been racing quite well and has got a nice draw and La Parisienne has been knocking on the door as well, they’re probably or two best chances,” Clotworthy said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
