Trish Dunell
Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie believes he has identified a future classic horse after signing for a son of Burgundy on the final day of the Book 2 Sale at Karaka on Friday.
Offered by Milan Park, the bay colt is out of the Pins mare Show No Emotion, who won on three occasions.
By Burgundy, the sire of Hard Merchandize and Dijon Bleu, Ritchie indicated a syndicate including Auckland Racing Club General Manager – Racing And Operations, Craig Baker, would race the colt.
“I saw him twenty minutes before he went in the ring care of Craig Baker, who was desperate to buy a Burgundy,” Ritchie said.
“He was a very athletic colt and we quickly got his x-rays checked, which were 100 per cent and he’s a grade one on the scope.
“He just looks like a classic horse to me. He has a beautiful head, good flat shoulder and he’s very athletic. He is one of those nice, strong horses without weight.”
Ritchie has been active at both Book 1 and Book 2 sessions of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, securing eight horses.
On the opening day of the Book 2 Sale Ritchie bought another classic type, securing a son of Reliable Man out of the Group performed Keeninsky mare Keenly with a final bid of $110,000.
“He’s a cracking colt and I liked him right from the start,” Ritchie said. “He’s the sort of horse that might be a VRC Derby type, he’s by the right sire for that.”
“He won’t have a saddle on him through the winter and he probably won’t race until he’s a late two-year-old.
“I bought him for Gerard Petersen and a few of his Australian mates.” – NZ Racing Desk.