Shaune Ritchie is hoping lightning will strike twice after he added a new chapter in the Jennifer Eccles story by purchasing her full brother during the Book 1 sale at Karaka earlier this week.
Jennifer Eccles was the outstanding filly of her year, winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) to finish off her three-year-old season after earlier capturing three Group Two titles while also finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
Raced by the Challenge No.10 syndicate after being purchased by bloodstock agent Adrian Clark for $5,000 at the National Weanling Sale at Karaka, the filly won four of her 13 starts and more than $513,000 in prizemoney when prepared by Ritchie and training partner Colm Murray.
Ritchie was keen on her younger brother, offered as Lot 497 from the Prima Park draft and secured him for $50,000 after he had been passed in earlier in the sale.
“I felt he was a cracking type of horse and we had so much success on the racetrack with Jennifer Eccles, that I had to buy him,” Ritchie said.
“I’m certainly not pretending to be Adrian Clark, as I can’t buy horses at the value he can and turn them into stars, but he did remind me a lot of her, with a wonderful walk and a similar colour.
“He probably didn’t get to the price he should have as his front half is magnificent, with a beautiful flat shoulder but may have just lacked a little behind the girth.
“We’ll give him six months to himself and that will develop him and we will have a lovely animal on her hands.”
Ritchie has already filled most of the shares available in the colt, however, he is still looking for a few more to complete his ownership group.
“He’s a full brother to a champion three-year-old filly and if he can be as half as good as his big sister then we are going to have a hell of a lot of fun,” he said.
“At the price I think we have a well valued animal and I’m keen to get a couple more people into him to round out, what will be a fun syndicate.”
