Unbridled epside 4: Wealthy Ricci talks Willie Mullins, unraced horses to comply with, Lossiemouth and overruling coach | Racing Information
Legendary proprietor Wealthy Ricci joined Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan as a really particular visitor on episode 4 of Unbridled to debate his stars, previous and current.
Ricci not too long ago celebrated his one hundredth Grade One victory as Royale Pagaille landed a second successive Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Through the years, his well-known pink and inexperienced colors have been carried by a few of the greats of the sport, together with Faugheen, Vautour and Annie Energy, and his present inventory seems to be simply as sensible, led by present Champion Hurdle favorite Lossiemouth in addition to some thrilling children but to hit the monitor.
Q) You have received two unraced horses from France – Riskabahia and Sainte Lucie – how are they trying?
“Riskabahia is a horse we predict a whole lot of! She’s doing the whole lot proper at residence and I believe she’ll be out quickly. I believe she’s fairly promising.
“Sainte Lucie is a pleasant three-year-old and she or he’ll in all probability begin round Christmas time. They’re two good ones.
“I’ve additionally received Gaelic Warrior’s full brother. He isn’t named but however he is four-years-old and you may see him within the Spring in a bumper in all probability.
“Willie was a part of a gaggle that owned him with just a few others they usually bought to me final yr.
“He is a stunning trying factor, we simply have to provide you with a reputation for him. He is thrilling I believe.”
Q) Are you preserving the religion with Willy De Houelle for the Triumph Hurdle after defeat at Fairyhouse?
“I took 20/1 proper after the race. His type in France is superb and on the day they went manner too quick. He’ll enhance for that and Willie may be very assured that if the race was run once more, he’d win.
“I have never misplaced confidence in him but so let’s have a look at what he does subsequent trip, in all probability at Christmas.”
Q) You have had nice moments within the sport, however Royale Pagaille’s second Betfair Chase win gave the impression to be proper up there, did not it?
“It was my one hundredth Grade One! I have been within the sport a very long time so to realize one thing like that meant quite a bit to me and you can inform.
“I additionally love the horse and the best way he gained the race was good. I really like Haydock. It is an excellent course and the persons are terrific.”
Royale Pagaille jumps to victory within the Betfair Chase in Ricci’s well-known pink and inexperienced colors
Q) How would rank your 4 nice mares: Annie Energy, Vroum Vroum Magazine, Benie Des Dieux and Lossiemouth?
“Annie Energy one. Then Lossiemouth, simply because she hasn’t completed what Annie Energy has but. Vroum Vroum Magazine third then Benie Des Dieux.”
Q) How would you rank Faugheen, Vautour and Douvan?
“On expertise – Vautour, Douvan after which Faugheen.”
Q) What’s it that you just love a lot about proudly owning racehorses?
“The joys is the competitors. I am horrible at golf, I do not play tennis, I do not run, however I am aggressive so it is a solution to scratch that itch.
“I additionally love horses, they’re stunning issues. There’s nothing extra majestic than seeing somebody like a Paddy Brennan soar the seven railway fences down the again of Sandown.”
Q) What’s essentially the most emotional second you could have had in racing?
“Annie Energy profitable the Champion Hurdle.”
From agony… Ruby Walsh seems to be on after Annie Energy’s fall on the remaining flight within the 2015 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham
To ecstasy… Walsh roars after profitable the 2016 Champion Hurdle on Annie Energy
Q) Have you ever ever overruled Willie Mullins?
“Sure, a few occasions. As soon as on a selection of a race the place we then received stuffed, so I stated: ‘Okay, depart it to him!’
“And possibly just a few occasions on whether or not to journey a horse someplace or not.”
Q) You have received an excellent rapport with racegoers, why is that so necessary to you?
“I owe racing quite a bit and if individuals could be bothered to take the time to ask me for a selfie, have a chat or a pint, then I really feel obligated to do it.
“Racing individuals have all the time been very good to me and I like being within the combine. These individuals make the game what it’s.”
Q) How do you see the way forward for horse racing and the challenges it faces?
“The game is clearly going through some very severe points, systemic and elementary ones.
“The challenges round drawback playing are actual. But, once I go to someplace like Australia, they’re much extra inventive in coping with these form of issues. It is extremely regulated however they get pleasure from a punt and the business in booming.
“Nobody asks me the place my cash comes from once I purchase a horse on the gross sales but when I will have a wager and lose £1,000 they wish to see all my monetary data so I just about stopped punting.”
