Fortuna Racing’s Two Year Old RHETT BUTLER produces a barnstorming finish to win on his race day debut in Singapore 29th April

Two Year Old Gelding RHETT BUTLER (Charm Spirit- Thurlow), defied his 25 to 1 odds and punters were caught napping when in the hands of Te Akau Stable Apprentice, Sarwi Jamil, he simply demolished a handy field. He was away nicely from his wide draw, Jamil was content to ease back, was a long way from the leaders in the run and then came from a seemingly impossible position on the point of the turn to sail past the bulk of the field in the run home, going to the finishing post with a 2.5 length winning margin, undoubtedly helped by his lightweight of just 48.5kgs to carry

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Trainer Donna Logan could hardly believe what she was seeing unfold before her eyes “That was just incredible to watch – he just did not seem to be in contention but on reflection he did get a lovely soft run back in the field, had plenty in the tank once they straightened for home and of course had a big weight advantage compared to the three year olds in the race – I thought young Jamil handled him really well – pre race RHETT was very calm and relaxed, which was reassuring given that he was a two year old having his first race day start. Congrats to John Galvin of Fortuna Racing, he has been a great supporter of Te Akau Racing and the Singapore Turf Club for many years and has a lovely team of horses here in Singapore and it was great to have several Members of the ownership group on course to see this really strong win.”

RHETT BUTLER – Wins on debut Kranji 29th April 2023 – Sarwi Jamil aboard

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, watching the race from his home in Hamilton, New Zealand, was equally incredulous. “Look, Rhett Butler had had a great preparation and had trialed very nicely ahead of this race and while we were expecting a bold showing on debut, he was still an inexperienced two year old coming up against a field of mainly three year olds with good race day experience, so to see him come from a virtually impossible position as they were turning for home and simply pick up the field and dump them, was just incredible. Full marks to Donna Logan, she picked this horse out of the Inglis Ready2 Race sale in Sydney last October, labelling him her pick of the sale and a “must buy”. We secured him at our budget figure and since then Donna and her team have handled him beautifully. Great credit also to Jamil, he produced a no panic ride for us and delivered the right result.”

 Sarwi Jamil is a happy rider post race

Rhett Butler returns to scale and is joined by a jubilant group of connections

RHETT BUTLER was acquired by John Galvin/Donna Logan at the Inglis Ready2 Race Sale in Sydney October 2022 for A$80,000 and is raced by the Fortuna Rhett Butler Syndicate, an ownership group consiting of 46 individuals, in the main from New Zealand, but also from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia