First Winner for Ribchester

Four-time G1 winner and two-time Champion Miler RIBCHESTER (IRE) (Iffraaj) landed his first winner overnight and it couldn’t have been in more impressive fashion.

Lining up at the Keeneland Spring meet, RUTHIN made light work of her rivals winning by 6 lengths over  5 ½ furlongs on the turf.  Leading throughout, she kept the pace on with 21.91 and 45.65 opening sectionals and stopped the clock in 1.04.95 even with a slightly wayward run up the straight.

To watch the replay you can click the following link, then you'll need to click on the date - April 22 - and then, click race number 1.  KEENELAND RACING

Trained by Wesley Ward, the filly races in the familiar yellow colours of Stonestreet Stables who purchased her at Tattersall’s last year for 350,000 guineas.

Haunui Farm’s Mark Chitty says, “Stallions only get their first winner once and it couldn’t have been in more impressive fashion.  Wesley Ward is a gun trainer of 2YO’s and has taken on and won some of the feature races in Europe.  It would be nice to think this filly could head in that direction if she continues the way she’s started.

“The word from the northern hemisphere has been very bullish on RIBCHESTER and with flat racing just starting to wind up in Europe, we’re looking forward to the coming months with not only RIBCHESTER but BELARDO as well who’s first crop have just turned 3YO.”

Both RIBCHESTER and BELARDO (IRE) (Lope De Vega) will return to Haunui Farm in 2021 with their service fees to be announced next week.