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 just lately celebrated his a 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 among the greats of the sport, together with Faugheen, Vautour and Annie Energy, and his present inventory seems simply as good, led by present Champion Hurdle favorite Lossiemouth in addition to some thrilling children but to hit the monitor.
Q) You have bought two unraced horses from France – Riskabahia and Sainte Lucie – how are they trying?
“Riskabahia is a horse we predict quite a lot of! She’s doing every thing proper at dwelling and I feel she’ll be out quickly. I feel she’s fairly promising.
“Sainte Lucie is a pleasant three-year-old and he or she’ll in all probability begin round Christmas time. They’re two good ones.
“I’ve additionally bought 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 part of a group that owned him with a few others and they sold to me last year.
“He is a beautiful trying factor, we simply have to provide you with a reputation for him. He is thrilling I feel.”
Q) Are you keeping the faith 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 excellent and on the day they went means 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 haven’t lost confidence in him yet so let’s see what he does next time out, probably 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 100th Grade One! I’ve been in the game a long time so to achieve something like that meant a lot to me and you could tell.
“I additionally love the horse and the best way he received the race was sensible. I like Haydock. It is an amazing 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 Power one. Then Lossiemouth, just because she hasn’t accomplished what Annie Power has yet. Vroum Vroum Mag third then Benie Des Dieux.”
Q) How would you rank Faugheen, Vautour and Douvan?
“On talent – Vautour, Douvan and then Faugheen.”
Q) What’s it that you just love a lot about proudly owning racehorses?
“The thrill is the competition. I’m terrible at golf, I don’t play tennis, I don’t run, but I’m competitive so it’s a way to scratch that itch.
“I additionally love horses, they’re stunning issues. There’s nothing extra majestic than seeing somebody like a Paddy Brennan bounce the seven railway fences down the again of Sandown.”
Q) What’s the most emotional moment you have had in racing?
“Annie Energy profitable the Champion Hurdle.”
From agony… Ruby Walsh seems on after Annie Energy’s fall on the closing 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?
“Yes, a couple of times. Once on a choice of a race where we then got stuffed, so I said: ‘Okay, leave it to him!’
“And possibly a couple of occasions on whether or not to journey a horse someplace or not.”
Q) You’ve got a great rapport with racegoers, why is that so important to you?
“I owe racing quite a bit and if folks 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 people have always been very nice to me and I like being in the mix. These people make the sport what it is.”
Q) How do you see the way forward for horse racing and the challenges it faces?
“The sport is clearly facing some very serious issues, systemic and fundamental ones.
“The challenges round downside playing are actual. But, after I go to someplace like Australia, they’re much extra artistic in coping with these sort of issues. It is extremely regulated however they get pleasure from a punt and the trade in booming.
“No one asks me where my money comes from when I buy a horse at the sales but if I’m going to have a bet and lose £1,000 they want to see all my financial records so I pretty much stopped punting.”
