Ragamuffin Delivers a Matamata Winning Treble

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards went out in style when Ragamuffin (3 g Belardo - Short Tale, by Pins) won the $12,000 Good Luck Hong Kong Bound Jamie Richards Rating 65 1400 metres on 30 March at Matamata.

The first success for trainer Jamie Richards was a stakes' winner, in partnership with Stephen Autridge, when two-year-old filly Stella Di Paco (Paco Boy) won the Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) in May 2015 at Wanganui.

On his birthday, 18 August 2019, Champion Mare Melody Belle (Commands) became his first solo training winner when prevailing in the Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) at Te Rapa, and adding to a fitting occasion it was Fortuna Syndications' Ragamuffin that provided the finale.

Ragamuffin had won strongly at the trials in February at Te Rapa, before getting his nose down to beat stable-mate Pisco Sour (I Am Invincible) when resuming in a Maiden 1200 metres on 2 March at Hastings, and although up in grade, he rated a top three chance.

From barrier one, with three-kilo claiming Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar aboard again, Ragamuffin travelled midfield inner from barrier one and produced big late bounds after seizing a rails' run in the straight.

On footing that remained Dead5 throughout the ten race programme, Ragamuffin ran the 1400 metres in 1:23.6, last 600m in 36.3, and paid $9.60 & $2.60 on NZ TAB tote.

Ragamuffin was bought by David Ellis CNZM for $80,000 at 2020 NZB Ready to Run Sale, from draft of Lilywhites Lodge.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “Belardo had six stakes' winners internationally and he was a medium sized colt that we thought was the most similar looking colt in the sale to our stakes' winner by Belardo, Avonallo.”

Dam sire Pins (Snippets), an outstanding sire of over 2700 winners (137 stakes winners) has already proved himself as a Group 1 producing broodmare sire, while the family constitutes some high-quality thoroughbreds including All In Vogue (Pins), stallion What's The Story (Savabeel), and triple Group 1 winner Tall Poppy (Kaapstad).

Speaking on behalf of the owners, Fortuna Syndications director John Galvin said: “Fortuna has always had a great run at Matamata, and won many races over the years, but today is something really special and you couldn't have written a better script.

“Watching the horse parade beforehand, I thought if we could get up and win the last race for Jamie (Richards) as a trainer in New Zealand that it would be very special.

“We've had a long association with David Ellis and Te Akau since 2007, when Mark Walker was training here at Matamata. That continued with Mark when Te Akau expanded to Singapore, and more recently with Jamie.

“Melody Belle came along and, of course, we all know her story of 14 Group 1 wins and dual Horse of the Year.

“It has been fantastic working with Jamie over the years and we are sorry to see him go. He is a young man in a hurry and has a fantastic opportunity to train in Hong Kong, and I'm sure that everyone involved in racing in New Zealand will be right behind him and eager for his success on the global stage.”

Matamata Racing Club president Dennis Ryan echoed the sentiments: “Jamie has been based at the training centre here since 2010 and accepted an offer to join the Hong Kong Jockey Club to further his horse training career.

“His accolades in NZ are numerous and we hope he continues on with that success. He has made many friends at the Matamata Racing Club. We wish him well and all the best of luck.”

Ragamuffin was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz