Ashley Fortune, the wife of former champion jockey Andrew Fortune, was top buyers at last year's Emperors' Palace Ready To Run Sale. Fortune was previously assistant trainer to highly successful Noelene Peech and Joey Ramsden.
We speak to the head-trainer of Fortune Racing about their plans for buying high-quality bloodstock at this year's edition of the same sale.
Q: Could you please tell us about the most expensive horse you ever bought?
A: The most expensive horse we bought as an Owner was Happy Forever - he won 6 races, won the Gr2 Senor Santa and placed in a few features too. As a trainer the most expensive horse we have bought is The Sandwich Man - he unfortunately moved. Currently, the most expensive horse is an unraced Var Filly out of a Gr1 mare so fairly excited about her future.
Q: What sales do you normally aim to attend every year?
A: We aim to get to all the yearling and 2 year
Q: Last year you were one of the leading buyers at the last Emperors' Palace Ready To Run Sale. What was it about the catalogue and these horses which attracted you to buy so many? How have these horses done in the past year? Where are they now?
A: We look for horses that will come to hand fairly quickly. We had a few owners that had waited for that particular sale so we were
lucky to be able to buy some nice horses. Annatjie has done the best of the ones we bought last year. Black Tie has also won a race.
We also bought Invidia at the CTS RTR sale where he is currently one of the highest-rated 3year olds this season.
Q: Have you had a chance to see this year's catalogue? What are you looking for this year?
A: Yes we have looked at the catalogue this year and will look for the same type of horse that will be able to race fairly early to try and to try and qualify for the Ready to Run race.
Q: When you decide to buy a horse, what is your process from the time the catalogue comes out to the day of the sale?
A: We go through the catalogue and check the families we are familiar with - may check the previous season’s race record to find a comparison of what to expect.
Q: Who is the best horse in your stable currently? (Please tell us a bit about him or her?)
A: Invidia - is the best 3 years old - he ran 3rd in a Gr2 last season and won 2 from 5 starts. Horace - older horse - he has won 5 in a row this season - arrived with us as a maiden and won 6 in total.
Q: Who is your favourite horse in the world and why?
A: From the past season's Southern Hemisphere racehorses, I just love Winx. She is absolutely remarkable to achieve what she did. I also adore Beauty Generation who is still racing in Hong Kong. We watched him race over 1400m Gr3 Celebration Cup carrying top weight and broke the course record. Very Impressive.
Q: What two goals are on your bucket list for the next two years?
A: Two bucket lists goals are to finish in the top 20 and to train feature winners maybe a Gr1 or Gr2
Published In The Impact 21 Issue, 2 Vol
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