Lightning Start At Stud For Ritza Lenny

BASIC principles breeders rely on are pedigree, performance and progeny.

The regally bred Ritza Lenny was a star on the track, a powerhouse which finished his career with 30 wins from just 67 outings, with 11 victories posted the following the amputation of off hind toe in April 2017.

Now the son of Barcia Bale (ex Lagoon Lowanna) boasts winners from each of his first two litters.

Progeny gets the all important tick!

Lenny's first starter, Mysterious Boy, from his first litter whelped in October 2017 (ex Socozie), led all the way over 380m at Townsville on July 9 to score in 22.26 seconds.

The striking blue brindle dog made it two from two on Townsville Cup Final night (July 26) in a solid 22.16s – securing the Judge Family Maiden Final.

Much further south, Side Step Evie (ex Withcott Miracle) shadowed Mysterious Boy's efforts with a win on debut at Goulburn in 20.31s on July 23 before saluting there on Thursday in 19.96s.

Both youngsters have a genuine turn of speed and this is only the first tranche of ripper Ritza's.

The brilliant Ritza Hattie has a litter by Ritza Lenny on the ground and, after breaking in with Peter Sims, trainer Mark Gatt has a long range plan for a maiden series (over 535m) at Richmond.

"They're late January 2018 whelpings, so there's plenty of time but they're up and running," Gatt said.

"We try to stay level headed but a couple are quite exceptional."

The transition from racetrack star to in-demand stud dog is by no means a smooth path or paved with gold.

Numbers are moot yet maybe one tenth of one percent of aspiring stud dogs really make it – Brett Lee, Waverly Supreme, Shining Chariot, Temlee, Fernando Bale, Bombastic Shiraz, Barcia Bale certainly have been shining lights.

Magic Sprite, Go Wild Teddy, Surf Lorian, El Grand Senor, Fabregas, Collision and Cosmic Rumble and co-have made indelible marks in the past two generations but this stud game is fickle.

Success breeds success … it's make or break time for an emerging stud dog in the first 12 months of progeny getting to the boxes.

Now's the time for Ritza Lenny to shine and, with a rolled gold pedigree and stellar performances on the track, he's on his way.