Racehorse owner Rich Ricci amusingly asked a television reporter about a race after missing his own horse’s win at Cheltenham. Ricci’s Gaelic Warrior triumphed in the Arkle event at the festival on Tuesday but the owner was not present to see the success.
Gaelic Warrior – trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend – secured a maiden Cheltenham victory. Mullins had been keen for the horse to race across two miles despite some inconsistency over the past few months.
Ricci was interviewed by ITV after the race but while he knew Gaelic Warrior had won, it quickly emerged that he had missed the race. The American subsequently asked the reporter what had happened.
“I haven’t seen it yet, was it good?” said the 60-year-old when asked for his reaction.
The reporter responded: “He was very, very, very good indeed. He didn’t miss a beat at all and was just wonderful at every stage. Paul rode him with great confidence.”
“Joe [Chambers, racing manager] said that’s the best he’s seen Paul ride a horse in a very long while,” a buoyant Ricci said. “The horse is a tricky ride. A lot of his skill and stuff came up. It was great to see – well, I didn’t see it!
“But it’s great to hear. We’re delighted to have a win and the week’s fine now. We’ve got a winner, so it’s great.”
He added: “The best thing to do with him was take him down to Punchestown and Fairyhouse. They’re right-handed tracks and all that kind of thing. To come here and have that decision justified is a wonderful feeling. He is a horse of immense ability.”
Mullins had taken the controversial decision to field Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle. But Ricci admitted that he was fine with the decision, pointing out that Mullins was proven correct to do so.
Ricci continued: “I was fine with the Arkle because at Leopardstown, Willie really wanted a runner over two miles. We won that argument. We were very relaxed about it and we had a chat in the week – Willie wanted two miles. It’s worked out very well.”
Mullins said: “He has enough class to do two miles and we’ll probably stick at that game after that performance. We could spin him up to the Ryanair distance though, as he’s very adaptable.”
