Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Ex-pat Kiwi trainer Jamie Richards, who is now training in Hong Kong, continues to be active at the Australasian sales, and on Sunday he signed for two yearlings, spending a total of NZ$1 million.
Richards has returned to his homeland with fiancé Danielle and new baby Spencer for the first physical New Zealand sale of the year. He was in Auckland in November for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, where he and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) purchased three 2-year-olds.
The 34-year-old didn’t take long to land a blow on Day 1, going to NZ$275,000, in partnership with Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA), for Lot 9 - a Fastnet Rock colt from the Woburn Farm draft.
Lot 9 - Fastnet Rock x Deokyhe (colt) was purchased by Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) for NZ$275,000 from Woburn Farm | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Richards’ most expensive purchase was Lot 55 - a Zoustar colt out of the Listed-winning I Am Invincible mare Evalina - which fetched NZ$725,000. The Elsdon Park-consigned colt was also knocked down to Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA).
“It’s great to be back home in New Zealand and this colt looks like a real runner, by a champion sire and from a stakes-winning mare who is also by a Champion Sire (I Am Invincible),” Richards said.
“It’s great to be back home in New Zealand and this colt (Lot 55) looks like a real runner.” - Jamie Richards
The colt is the first foal out of the 2019 Listed Reginald Allen H. heroine. This is a family that includes the Group 1 winners Singing The Blues (Bluebird {USA}), Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge {USA}) and Referral (Dr Grace {NZ}).
Lot 55 - Zoustar x Evaline (colt) was purchased by Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) for NZ$725,000 from Elsdon Park | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Richards faced stiff competition for Lot 55, with his former boss, Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ), one of the underbidders.
“He was the one we were keen to be really strong on, we had to see off the boss, but thankfully we were able to get it done,” Richards remarked.
“He (Lot 55) was the one we were keen to be really strong on, we had to see off the boss (David Ellis), but thankfully we were able to get it done.” - Jamie Richards
Asked what it’s like taking on his former employer, Richards said: “You’ve got to be pretty strong, don’t you?”
Richards said the colt was purchased for a Hong Kong-based client and may stay in New Zealand, at least in the short term, with next year’s R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO a potential target.
Jamie Richards | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The colt will certainly go to his father Paul’s stable for his early education.
Jamie Richards has won the Karaka Millions 2YO race on four consecutive occasions, starting with Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in 2019, and culminating with Lord Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) in 2022.
The Group 1-winning trainer has logged 16 wins this season in Hong Kong, and enjoyed a double at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Richards tallied 35 wins during his maiden term, finishing just outside the top 10 in the trainers’ premiership.
“We are ticking along okay (in Hong Kong) as we try and build up a bit of momentum,” said Richards.
“We are ticking along okay (in Hong Kong) as we try and build up a bit of momentum.” - Jamie Richards
“We have a stable full of young horses and it is a very challenging environment but very rewarding.
“It is also good to come home and see the confidence that is building in New Zealand racing as sitting back and watching what is going on from Hong Kong, it appears to be very exciting.
“It is great to see the buzz as it is good for the industry.”
