Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie recently returned from a global trip with a perfectly named reminder of his travels.
He went halfway around the world to secure Frankel’s son New Zealand for 90,000gns at last week’s Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, with Auckland-based bloodstock agent Ed Stapleton also signing the ticket.
Consigned by Coolmore, the Irish-bred colt was a two-year-old winner at The Curragh for trainer Aidan O’Brien and finished third in the Listed Yeats Stakes (2600m).
He also ran fifth in the Gr.1 Saint-Cloud Criterium International (1600m) during his seven-start European career.
“It’s ironic really and he’s qualified for next year’s Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m), which is great and he’s got a 101 rating which is good to,” said Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray.
“I figured if Kiwi can win the Cup then surely New Zealand can do the same.”
His latest acquisition is out of the Dabirsim mare Different League, who was a Group Three winner and was twice placed at the elite level.
“I have a form student in New Zealand, and he gives me a list of about 40 horses who are qualified, showing promise at Listed level or up and coming horses,” Ritchie said.
“I was looking for a horse that could probably be significantly improved by a grass paddock in New Zealand and a different environment.”
Ritchie was also more than happy with the purchase price, with the three-year-old set to arrive in mid-December after completing quarantine protocols.
“He’ll land back home for a little over $300,000 and there will be horses at the Ready to Run Sale that will be going for a lot more than that,” he said.
“They are also quite easy to sell down as well, a Frankel colt who is qualified for the Melbourne Cup.
“The demand is high for English stayers with the money they can race for in Australia, so we hope to get him to Melbourne next spring.”
Ritchie has been a regular visitor to the Tattersalls Sale where for 75,000gns he sourced his Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Mahrajaan.
“We went specifically last year to buy a horse called Queenstown and he was withdrawn after he ran third in a Group One in France (Prix du Cadran, 4000m),” he said.
“This year he has come out and run second in the Irish St Leger (Gr.1, 2800m) and won a Group One (Prix Royal Oak, 3100m), so it was a bit of a shame we missed him.”
Ritchie will also be keeping a close eye on Tuesday’s meeting at Ellerslie where his debut winner Kumara Straight can clip his ticket for Riccarton with a bold showing in the trackside.co.nz 3YO (1400m).
“That barrier (one) will give him every chance to prove he’s worth taking down for the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), he’s a pretty talented horse,” he said.
“There doesn’t seem to be a dominant colt, so it’s opening up a bit for a horse like him if he can show he’s up to it.”
Meanwhile, Ritchie continued his travels on Monday to Sydney ahead of Tuxedo’s arrival for a crack at this weekend’s A$2 million Gr.3 Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill.
“His work last Saturday, in my opinion, was the best piece of work he’s done. No $2 million races are gifts, but they are definitely second tier stayers,” said Ritchie, who confirmed Opie Bosson will take the mount.
“It looks like a great entry race for Tuxedo and if he’s good enough to win or run very well then we could look at chancing our arm in Sydney in the autumn.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
