Ryan’s high hopes for 2017/18
Like his former stable star-turned-Champion Sire, Australia’s “Mr Snitzel”, Gerald Ryan had much to celebrate at the end of 2016/17, and plenty to look forward to in the new season.
Gerald says of Snitzel’s Premiership success, “I am so proud of him. When we bought him as a yearling Damion [Flower] and I agreed that if he can gallop then he would make a stallion, but to get to the heights he has is just unreal, and to be part of his success makes both of us proud of him.”
He adds, “He was a fast two-year-old that got better every preparation and it doesn’t surprise me that he is getting very good older horses too.”
Gerald has now trained 12 winners of 22 Group & six Listed races by Snitzel, three of them successful last season: Group winners Diddums (ex Raheights by Rahy) & Trapeze Artist (ex Treppes by Domesday) and Listed winner Samantha (ex Icedginger by Tale of the Cat).
Gerald says, “They’re all different, Diddums is a gross doer who kept improving and races best when she sits up on the speed and creates a tough race, but Samantha’s the opposite, she used to be a bit delicate and needs to be ridden quietly.”
Trapeze Artist made great progress through his 2YO season, winning the Canberra Black Opal S. G3 then putting up a top performance to round out Snitzel’s trifecta, behind Invader and Summer Passage in the ATC Sires’ Produce S. G1.
“He’s a good, tough on-pace runner who gets 1400, perhaps 1600 metres, and he’s very laid-back and straightforward, just so easy to train.”
Gerald believes all three horses are capable of stepping up a notch or two this season.
“Trapeze Artist can win a Group One, and he might get 1600 metres and be a Guineas horse, or perhaps the Coolmore. He’ll start in the Up and Coming on 19 August, then go to the Run to the Rose and the Golden Rose.
“Samantha and Diddums will be both be competitive in Group company, but they’re limited by the options for mares around 1200 metres.”
Apart from this trio, the Snitzel that Gerald is most excited about this season is 3YO colt Menari (ex Isurava by General Nediym), unlucky not to have more than one win, a Group 3 placing and a relegated Golden Slipper fourth on his five-start juvenile record.
“He’s come back a big, strong horse, and will kick off in the Rosebud or the San Domenico, and then we’ll decide about the Golden Rose. It wouldn’t surprise me if he got to The Everest, he just needs a dry track.”
Among the stable’s new Snitzel 2YOs, Gerald says, “I can’t wait to get Snitzerland’s full sister in, and we have a nice colt out of One Sweet Day.”
The Arrowfield influence on Ryan Racing doesn’t end with Snitzel. Ryan’s new recruits include a pair of superbly bred Redoute’s Choice colts: “a nice colt that moves really well” out of Group 1 winner Faint Perfume (by Shamardal), and Stealth Sniper, out of Group 2 winner Timbourina (by Timber Country), “more of an Autumn two-year-old.”
Not A Single Doubt is represented by 3YO colt Condor Heroes (ex Gosetgo by More Than Ready), a city winner and Group 3-placed at two who impressed with a sparkling trial win at Rosehill last week and will likely make his season debut in the ATC San Domenico S. G3 on 26 August. Gerald is also preparing a couple of 2YO Not A Single Doubt colts, King’s Order (ex Pinwin by Pins) and Legend Of Condor (ex Rhodamine by Success Express), both showing early ability.
“I like King’s Order a lot and he’ll be aimed at the Magic Millions Classic, and Legend Of Condor is back in work on Monday. He’s an early goer, he moves really well and everyone who rides him loves him.”
Smart Missile’s 4YO son Damaging (ex Sequinella by Catbird) has taken time to mature but was placed, then won in July. “I quite like him and he’ll now stretch out through his grades to 2000 metres.” The 2YO Smart Missile-Cat By The Tale filly has also joined the stable, and she will probably make her first raceday appearance in the Autumn.
The Ryan stable earned more than $5 million prizemoney nationwide in 2016/17 and closed out the season in 7th spot on the NSW Trainers’ Premiership. It’s a performance Gerald and his team can be proud of, and a target they can confidently aim to exceed with an abundance of proven and emerging talent.
