Richards lands prized Deep Field colt

[Wandering Eyes]

There are limited chances left to secure progeny of dominant Hong Kong stallion Deep Field, and Jamie Richards jumped at the opportunity to buy a well-credentialled colt for $500,000 at Karaka on Tuesday.

Deep Field has topped the Hong Kong sires’ premiership in both of the last two seasons, and he again holds a runaway lead in the current term with total progeny earnings of HK$46.7 million – well clear of the second-placed Starspangledbanner with HK$27 million.

The outstanding Northern Meteor stallion has sired a total of 39 winners from 78 runners in Hong Kong, headed by Group One winners Voyage Bubble and Sky Field. The latter was a $175,000 purchase from the Karaka sale ring in 2018.

Fertility issues brought a premature end to Deep Field’s career at Newgate Farm, finishing up with crops of 64 and 37 foals respectively in his final two seasons. His last crop will be yearlings next season.

Two colts by Deep Field were catalogued in Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale this week, and Richards was determined to add the first of them to his Hong Kong stable.

Offered by Kaha Nui Farm, the colt went through the ring as Lot 630 and is out of the winning I Am Invincible mare Californiasurprise.

“Deep Field has a real affinity with Hong Kong, and they’re not making any more of them,” Richards said. “But first and foremost, he’s a beautiful colt – great colour, lot of quality to him. I saw him here when I got here on Friday morning, and it’s been a long time waiting for him.

“He’s going to end up being a medium-sized horse, but he’s very athletic. I’m not sure when he’ll go up, but he’ll just go back to the farm and we’ll get him broken in and get him educated. We’re looking forward to him arriving into Hong Kong at some stage. He’s a beautiful horse. Thrilled to get him.”

Richards won four trainers’ premierships in New Zealand before relocating to Hong Kong, where he has already racked up more than 50 wins.

“Speed is what they need up there – they’ve got to be fast,” he said. “This colt’s sire obviously does very well up there, which is important, and we just loved him as a physical, so very happy to get him.”

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