The Fortuna 3yo Gelding Ragamuffin (Belardo – Short Tale) produced a stirring winning performance when winning the Rating 65 1400m Event at Matamata yesterday in a fairy tale finish for the Fortuna Racing/Jamie Richards combination – fairy tale because it was the last race in which Jamie Richards runners were competing ahead of his hand over of the Te Akau Racing Stables Head Trainer role to Mark Walker ahead of his departure to Hong Kong and in a race aptly named “Good Luck Hong Kong Bound Jamie Richards”

Ragamuffin had won strongly at the trials in February at Te Rapa, before getting his nose down to beat stable-mate Pisco Sour (I Am Invincible) when resuming in Maiden 1200 metres on 2 March at Hastings. From barrier one, with three-kilo claiming Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar aboard again, Ragamuffin travelled midfield inner from barrier one and produced big late bounds after seizing a rails run in the straight.

On footing that remained Dead5 throughout the ten race programme, Ragamuffin ran 1400 metres in 1:23.6, last 600m in 36.3, and paid $9.60 & $2.60 on NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see race replay

Trainer Jamie Richards was a little lost for words post race, but said “That was a great outcome – I had three runners in the race and they were all good chances, but Ragamuffin put his hand up with a strong progressive performance – he has always been a bit immature to date but to come out and win at 1400m backing up from a Maiden win is a really good sign – fantastic as well to get the win for Fohn Galvin and his Fortuna Racing Ownership team – John has been a great supporter of me and the Stable and we have had many successes together.”

“Ragamuffin”“ – Matamata 30th March 2022

Speaking on behalf of the owners, Fortuna Syndications director John Galvin said: “Fortuna has always had a great run at Matamata, and won many races over the years, but today is something really special and you couldn’t have written a better script. Watching the horse parade beforehand, I thought if we could get up and win the last race for Jamie (Richards) as a trainer in New Zealand that it would be very special.

“We’ve had a long association with David Ellis and Te Akau since 2007, when Mark Walker was training here at Matamata. That continued with Mark when Te Akau expanded to Singapore, and more recently with Jamie. Melody Belle came along and, of course, we all know her story of 14 Group 1 wins and dual Horse of the Year.

“It has been fantastic working with Jamie over the years and we are sorry to see him go. He is a young man in a hurry and has a fantastic opportunity to train in Hong Kong, and I’m sure that everyone involved in racing in New Zealand will be right behind him and eager for his success on the global stage.”

Ragamuffin returns to scale – Te Akau Appren tice Parmar Singh aboard

RAGAMUFFIN was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2020 NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale,  for $80,000, from the draft of Lilywhites Lodge and was bred by Paul Moroney and Catherine Bruggeman

Ragamuffin was strapped by Reece Trumper.