Shaune Ritchie didn’t have to dig as deep as expected to secure a regally bred colt during the second session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 National Yearling Sale.
The Cambridge horseman and his training partner Colm Murray signed the ticket for a St Mark’s Basilica youngster, Lot 269, at $230,000.
The colt from the first crop of 2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark's Basilica was offered by Jamieson Park and is the fourth foal of Savabeel’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Savaria.
“He’s just a stunning type and I honestly thought we’d be paying $350,000 or $400,000 so very happy and believe I shopped well, but the winning post will tell,” Ritchie said.
The winning post is familiar territory to an emerging member of his stable with Tuxedo continuing to make impressive progress.
The well-named three-year-old son of Tivaci and the O’Reilly mare Ball Gown was a debut winner in the spring before claiming top honours next time out in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m).
He then finished runner-up behind current Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite Willydoit on New Year’s Day before finishing second in the Listed Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) last Saturday.
“Dealt With started to wander around a bit and he had a look at him doing that and thought I can play that game,” Ritchie said.
“Even if he had gone straight, the filly (Damask Rose) would have been too good on the day. She was a bit too sharp and professional for us.
“He is a determined horse though and has given the owners a thrill every time he has gone to the races. He tries very hard and that’s all you can ask for.
“He keeps improving, but you can’t train will power into them and he’s got ample reserves of that.”
Team Tuxedo will now have decisions to make regarding the immediate path they will follow with the gelding.
“We’ll go through the sectionals and see whether we look at a (The NZB Kiwi) slot or whether we press up to 2000m and try to get him to run the Derby trip,” Ritchie said.
“Our client bought him to try and run in the Derby, so we’ll have a talk and decide what we do.”
Tuxedo was a $70,000 purchase for owner Grant Barnett out of breeder Waikato Stud’s draft at Karaka in 2023.
“He’s been with me for ages and his first Group One winner was Magic Cape (2006 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 1600m) and he was my first Group One winner, as well,” Ritchie said.
“He’s been a great stable supporter with (co-owners) Peter Archer and his mates.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
