Young gun Yourdeel puts them away again

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Five days can be a long time in racing as Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) proved when he redeemed himself at Awapuni and assumed 2-year-old bragging rights for the season.

Last Tuesday morning, the G1 Sistema S. winner galloped with stablemate and race rival Equinox (NZ) (Exceed And Excel) at Matamata, only to be soundly taken care of and leaving trainer Jamie Richards scratching his head.

Yourdeel worked much better two days later, but there were still reservations before he came out on Saturday and produced a dynamic performance to end his campaign with victory in the G1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. for regular rider Opie Bosson.

“He’s quite an incredible horse. With the way he worked on Tuesday I didn’t know if we would even be here, but he picked up and we were happy with him,” trainer Jamie Richards said.

“That man on top showed again just what an important part of the team he is. It was another super ride.”

“That man on top showed again just what an important part of the team he is. It was another super ride.” – Jamie Richards.

Yourdeel, who won the Sistema on heavy going, showed his versatility on a good track at Awapuni. He settled in the middle of the field, but looked to be in trouble half-way down the straight before he got serious and shifted into top gear.

He powered home to down the fillies Aretha (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Bella Mente (NZ) (El Roca).

“Full credit to the team at home for getting him here,” Richards said. “A big thanks to Chris Rutten and his other owners, it’s a big effort and he’ll be going for a spell now.”

“I’m lucky that Jamie is a champion trainer and got him back on track after that ordinary gallop during the week.” – Opie Bosson.

Rider Opie Bosson emphasised the part Richards played in Yourdeel’s glorious season, which ends with four wins from six appearances and a pair of top-flight titles already on his CV.

Te Akau's David Ellis and trainer Jamie Richards

“I’m lucky that Jamie is a champion trainer and got him back on track after that ordinary gallop during the week,” he said.

“The horse wobbled around the corner here, but once I got him balanced up and he really charged to the line. He’s a top quality horse and he’s going to be exciting as a 3-year-old as well.”

Yourdeel was bred by Dan Myers and sold at the Weanling Sale at Karaka for NZ$30,000 with Little Avondale Stud the purchaser.

“He’s a top quality horse and he’s going to be exciting as a 3-year-old as well.” – Opie Bosson.

They then offered him at the National Yearling Sale and he was knocked down to Chris Rutten for NZ$100,000 and he now races him with John Norwood and Ron Preston.

Yourdeel is from the Group 1 winning family of Drum (Marauding {NZ}), Anamato (Redoute’s Choice), Grand Armee (Hennessy {USA}) and Dealer Principal (Flying Spur).

Yourdeel as a yearling

The result continued Te Akau’s recent domination of the Sires’ Produce S. having won in 2017 with the outstanding Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and last year with recent Sydney Group winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock).

“I thought he was going to be right in it halfway down the straight, but maybe 1400 metres was a bit too far for him at this stage.” - Jamie Richards.

Yourdeel was too good for runner-up Aretha, but she lost no admirers in defeat and as the winner of the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. and twice placed at Group 1 level this season her 3-year-old prospects look very good.

Belle Mente did well to handle a sharp rise in class to finish third at her fourth appearance while the winner’s stablemate Equinox ran fourth.

“I thought he was going to be right in it halfway down the straight, but maybe 1400 metres was a bit too far for him at this stage,” Richards said. “He’ll go for a spell and he’ll continue to improve.”