Flying Ricciardo Attracting Special Attention

THIS week marks precisely a year since Flying Ricciardo annexed the Group 2 Black Top at The Gardens in a near record 29.28 at just 21-months of age.

And it continues to be a whirlwind start at stud with breeders flocking to use the recently retired Group star and record breaker.

That's the report of studmaster Kristy Sultana on the sublime son of Barcia Bale and Megalodon.

“Just last night one of leading Victorian breeder Barry Smith's bitches, Mepunga Bella, whelped 10 pups by him,” Kristy said.

FLYING RICCIARDO AT STUD

“We are over the moon that breeders like Barry have decided to use Flying Ricciardo.”

She pointed to a number of outstanding race bitches who have been among the many mated to Flying Ricciardo in the few months since he retired.

“We couldn't be happier with the response to him,” she said. “We are getting plenty of calls each week and they keep coming.”

Among the stars mated to him are superstar stayer Veloce Nero (21 wins, $252,000) the Group winner and sister to such greats as Blue Moon Rising (44 wins, $531,000), Poco Dorado (32 wins, $361,000) and Two Times Twice (40 wins, $240,000).

Martin Hallinan has used him with Zipping Garth's Group class staying litter sister Zipping Truvy as well as the proven Zipping Lilly, the Group 3 Ladies Bracelet winner, and dam of Group star Zipping Kyrgios.

Others mated to him include:

Classy Cassie a litter sister to Corykodi (35 wins, $137,000) and the proven producer Jeannie Dreaming.

Rhythm Section (8 wins, $44,000) a litter sister to Fast Car Driving (22 wins, $123,000) and Rostered On (18 wins, $110,000).

The classy Dana Ali (36 wins, $48,000).

Quality producer Esparza's daughter Look Fancy Nancy (11 wins, $50,000) a litter sister to Group stayer Prim And Proper (20 wins, $124,000).

Yet another of the Esparza progeny, Pop The Confetti, from her litter by My Bro Fabio, is another to go to Flying Ricciardo. She is a sister to Group staying star Blazing Cartier (19 wins, $170,000) etc.

Royally bred Fine Champan (Fernando Bale-Te Amo), a litter sister to Group 1 National Sprint winner West On Augie (38 wins, $441,000) is also among his mates.

Awesome Catch's litter sister Flowing (10 wins), Bella Can Do (13wins, $57,000), Sandave Diva (13 wins), Liberty Lee (36 wins, $94,000), Lady Charlotte (10 wins) are others.

Kristy has recently bought Princess Sparkle (Fernando Bale-Nayla Swift), a litter sister to superstar Ferdinand Boy (28 wins, $264,000) to put to her pride and joy.

“Dad (Sam) has a nice bitch which he will put to him now that she has retired,” Kristy said. “And my sister Michelle's great bitch Drink Moet is going to him as well.

“Jason Magri's good bitch Sticky Nicky and Mark Gatt's Ritza Millie have also been to him.

“We couldn't be happier with the response.”

The fastest son of Barcia Bale to win at Wentworth Park running a super 29.22 (second fastest ever), Flying Ricciardo was just outside the TR of 29.07.

From 27 race starts, he was the winner of 22 and earned stakes of $237,000.

He also ran a track record at Bulli over 340m in 18.91 on debut and his 29.16 victory at The Gardens is just .01 outside the TR.

His feature race wins included the Group 1 Dapto Megastar, Group 2 Black Top, Gold Muzzle Auction series and was a finalist in the Million Dollar Chase and Group 3 The Ambrosoli.

All eight of his Wentworth Park wins came under 30-seconds.