Monday 3rd September John was interviewed by Des Coppins from Trackside Radio on Melody Belle’s Group One success in the Tarzino Trophy. Click HERE to hear the Audio Clip

6yo Gelding HIDDEN PROMISE (Postponed-Promissory) last saluted the judge on New Year’s Day – he had been racing consistently but without luck or winning success. However, that all changed Sunday 2nd of September at Singapore’s Kranji race track when a strong finish under a vigorous ride by Singapore Champion jockey, Vlad Duric, saw the horse take out the Kranji D Stakes event over 1600 metres by half a length and recording his 5th career win in Singapore from 27 starts with total prizemoney of S$155,000.

Click HERE to see Video replay

HIDDEN PROMISE  scores 5th career win Kranji Racecourse – 2nd September 2018

The victory by HIDDEN PROMISE capped off a great weekend for John Galvin’s Fortuna Syndications team with their star 4yo Mare, MELODY BELLE winning the Group One Tarzino Trophy at Hastings on Saturday at Hastings and taking her career winnings to in excess of NZ$1.1m.

Trained by 2017  Singapore Champion Trainer, Mark Walker, HIDDEN PROMISE is raced by the Fortuna Hidden Promise Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 29 individuals and was purchased on behalf of Fortuna Syndications by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis at the 2014 Ready To Run Sale for $65,000 from the draft of Westbury Stud.

The grit and determination of high-class galloper Melody Belle was plain for all to see at Hastings today as she triumphed in the season’s opening Group One feature, the Tarzino Trophy (1400m).

Beautifully handled by Malaysian-born rider Shafiq Rusof, the 4yo mare by Commands out of Meleka Belle justified her favourite’s tag for the contest when she held out the challenge of the well fancied Hiflyer in a desperate finish to the event.

The victory added a second win at the highest level in New Zealand for her owners, the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, managed by John Galvin, after she triumphed in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) as a two-year-old.

Click HERE to see race result and Video replay

MELODY BELLE  too strong in Tarzino Trophy

The win was also the first Group One trophy for trainer Jamie Richards in his own right after he took over the reins at the powerful Te Akau Racing operation at the start of the new season.

“I’d just like to give a big thank you to all the staff at home,” Richards said. “Obviously there have been a few changes in the new season. I’m only the name in the book as I can’t do it all so this is a very emotional win and I’m very proud of the team.”

Richards was fulsome in his praise for Melody Belle who was having her second start in this campaign after winning the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa last month to kick off her four-year-old season.

“It was a terrific win and a terrific ride,” he said “We were really pleased how she came through the Te Rapa run. She’s a filly who loves being out in the paddock when she can, so we had a couple of fine days where we were able to get her out there.”

Richards was keen to see how the mare comes through her effort before deciding on her next challenge but wasn’t ruling out a tilt at the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) on the second day of the carnival.

“We’ll sit down now and have a talk with John Galvin,” he said.

Shafiq Rusof has made a favourable impression since returning to New Zealand in March this year following a successful stint in Singapore. He has come full circle to the country where he honed his craft as an apprentice jockey under Mark Walker’s tutelage at Te Akau Racing before following Walker to Singapore when he relocated in 2010.

“She is a superstar and a high-class horse who just gives everything to the line,” he said when questioned after the race. She did everything right although I was a bit worried when they came after her but when I asked she just kept giving.”

Syndicate Member Shane Thomsen, Melody Belle with Shafiq Rusof aboard and Strapper Teina Walters coming back to scale

Fortuna Syndications Director John Galvin was a proud man post race “She has developed into a fabulous race mare who has no quirks, she just gets out and does the job – I was involved in the ownership of Darci Brahma and I never thought I would have another one as good as him – she is not quite there yet, but she is giving his record a pretty good nudge. Watching the race from the Stand, I was surrounded by people I didn’t even know who were screaming her name the last 100 metres – it was a humbling experience – she is bringing so much joy to many people.”  he said, “and what a fabulous training effort by Jamie Richards to have her right for this race given her tough run in the Foxbridge Plate just two weeks ago.”

Melody Belle, bred by Marie Leicester, is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals and was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndications for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm. The victory takes her career earnings to over $1.1m from seven victories, with six of these at stakes level including the rich Listed Karaka Million (1200m) as a two-year-old.

Fortuna Syndicate Members celebrating post race

A nail-biting finish to the Group Two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday 18th August saw former top juvenile Melody Belle provide her trainer Jamie Richards with the perfect birthday present and provide yet another great racing thrill for her big group of Fortuna Syndicate Members

Race favourite Julius and Melody Belle set down to a pitched battle in the middle of the track over the final 200m as they cleared out from their rivals. Although somewhat dwarfed by the imposing frame of the favourite, Melody Belle and rider Shafiq Rusof refused to yield as she put her nose in front at the right time to snatch victory from a game Julius with veteran stayer Authentic Paddy storming home late for third.

Against a very good field in the $100,000 event, Melody Belle (4 m Commands – Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) reigned supreme. Winning a trial narrowly but well on 17 July at Te Rapa, when having her first sight of the course, Melody Belle was given a beautiful inch-perfect ride by Shafiq and was able to nail race favourite Julius (Swiss Ace), on the line, winning by a nose.

Click HERE to view race Video replay

Melody Belle wins the Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate 18th August 2018

Proficient with give in the ground, Melody Belle coped with the Slow 9 footing better than most, running the 1200 metres in 1:13.9 and last 600m in 36.9. In addition, she returned surprisingly generous odds on the NZ TAB tote: $9.40 & $3.00 – but the price was also a reflection in the depth of talent amongst her rivals.

As a Two-Year-Old, Melody Belle had won the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m), Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Awapuni, and Queensland Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Eagle Farm, Brisbane, in succession during her juvenile season, leading her to be crowned Champion Two Year Old of her Year. As a 3yo, she became the first Karaka Million winner since its inception  in 2008  to win at the Karaka Million meeting a year on, when successful in the Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) in January at Ellerslie but had disappointed slightly in the latter stages of her three-year-old campaign when unplaced in two Sydney runs in the Autumn of 2018

In taking out the Foxbridge, Melody Belle recorded her sixth win from 13 starts and her 5th win at Stakes level, taking her earnings to $986,406 for the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate Managed by Fortuna Director John Galvin.

The win also marked a fantastic start to the solo training career of Jamie Richards, following three seasons in partnership with Stephen Autridge.

Melody Belle, bred by Marie Leicester, is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals and was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndications for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm.

Living up to its reputation as a Syndicator of “quality” well bred fillies but acquired at “value” prices, Fortuna, with the assistance of its Thoroughbred Selection Team of David Ellis and Jamie Richards, acquired this stunning  rising 2yo Filly daughter of Savabeel, when she was knocked down to David Ellis bid of $110,000 at the Karaka May Sale.

Registered for both the $1m Karaka Million for Two Year olds (run in January 2019) and the $1m Karaka 3yo Classic (run in January 2020) – this Filly represents compelling value acquired at a knock down price only slightly higher than the Champion Stallion Savabeel’s Service Fee of $100,000.

Yearling Filly “TAM O’SHANTER”  by Savabeel out of Invermoray

Click HERE to view Video Clip of TAM O’SHANTER parading with Voiceover from Trainer Jamie Richards

Bred on the same cross (by Savabeel out of a Volksraad Mare) as New Zealand’s current highest rated galloper, KAWI, TAM O’SHANTER has an excellent pedigree which will stand her in good stead as a broodmare prospect at the end of her racing career.

   TAM O’SHANTER Pedigree

Trainer’s View from Jamie Richards

“John, you have scored another beauty here – only on the market because the breeder is seriously ill, I just loved this Filly from the moment I set eyes on her. She has size and scope, a strong pedigree, by a Champion Stallion in Savabeel and out of a very strong Female Line. I think she will be a runner as a Two year Old and we will give her every chance to qualify for the Karaka Million – but I think she will be even better as a Three Years Old – Steve and I are really looking forward to getting her into the Stable”

Syndicator’s View from John Galvin;

“I just love buying this sort of Filly for our clients – she ticks all the boxes physically and has a pedigree that will stand her in good stead as a broodmare prospect at the end of her racing career and again, we have managed to secure a high quality type without paying the earth.”

Shares available right now – be quick – they won’t last long for a Filly of this quality

Shares available right down to 1%  

10% share $17,000 – 5% share $8,500 – 2.5% share $4,250 – 1% share $1,700 

Share price includes all Initial Costs – Purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Insurance through to 31st January 2019, Karaka Million Fees and Working Capital of $8,000 approx

Monthly Ongoing costs from 1st July 2018 – 10% share $340 per month – 5% share $170 per month – 2.5% share $85 per month – 1% share $34 per month  

Applications can only be made after Investors have perused and signed the NZ Thoroughbred Racing approved Disclosure Statement. This can be obtained from the Syndicate Promoter, Fortuna Ltd (Director John Galvin), by emailing HERE or calling/texting John 021 921 460. 

 Fortuna Ltd is an Authorised Syndicator in accordance with the Code of Practice administered by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (Inc) established under The Financial Markets Conduct (Equine Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2016. Details of this Offer are contained in the Disclosure Statement relating to the Offer

Flying Fortuna Fillies have Massive “debut” day at Waipukarau – Shafiq Rusof rides both

What a day at Waipukurau with two Fillies on Debut and both won – first off the block was 2yo Filly GRAND ARIANA (Snitzel-Enduja) – a filly acquired by David Ellis for Fortuna for $70,000 in a private sale. She had taken a little time to come to hand, but had trialed well in recent weeks. Lost for early speed, she was a mile off them on the turn and still looked no chance to run in the money with 250 metres to go, but under the urging of rider Shafiq Rusof, she scored an impressive long neck victory on the line. John Galvin, currently on vacation in Paris with Jessica Galvin, quipped “that was well worth getting up at 2.30 am to watch” – and in reference to Golden Slipper winner, Estijaab,also a filly by Snitzel, he added “and we didn’t pay A$1.7m for her either – this underscores Fortuna’s “value” approach to our purchasing – David Ellis did a great job for us with this one.”

Click HERE to see Video relay

Two races later it was the turn of 3yo METEORIC LASS (Stratum-Benetar), a filly acquired by David Ellis for Fortuna at the 2016 Magic Millions Sale for A$60,000. John Galvin comments “Boy, this girl has really tested our patience – when we bought her she looked as if she would be a natural 2yo, but just kept growing and growing and it has taken a lot of time for her body to catch up with herself.”

And rider Shafiq Rusof also exhibited patience of the highest order – placing her on the speed, she was in front turning for home, but Shafiq waited and waited before going for her in the last 200 metres to win by 1.5 lengths on the line.

“Shafiq has ridden competitively with the best of them in Singapore and has ridden a lot of winners for us up there – he is a class act and a very valuable addition to the NZ Riding ranks” said John Galvin.

Meteoric Lass – winning on debut Waipukurau 3rd May 2018

Click HERE to see Race result and Video relay

The “iron horse” EATONS GOLD delighted his ownership connections by completely dominating the Class 4 1200 metre sprint at the Penang Turf Club in Malaysia Sunday 29th April. Beautifully ridden by Apprentice S Rosmizan, EATON  bounded to the lead, had his race rivals stretched the whole way and sprinted away in the run home to win by 5 lengths in the slick time of 1.10.3 secs.

Click HERE to see race Video replay

EATONS GOLD  sprints away to win the Class 4 1200 metre at Penang 29th April

Eaton’s Gold, a nine year old by Jetspur out of Road Ranger, has had a wonderful career in Singapore and Malaysia – he won nine times in Singapore and over S$500,000 in prizemoney before transferring to the care of Penang based trainer Sharee Hamilton early in 2017. Thins hadn’t quite gone his way in Malaysia from his nine previous starts there, with a succession of bad draws, wet tracks, but he well and truly made up for it today.

Syndicate Manager, John Galvin, was ecstatic –  “this is a great result for EATONS GOLD  and his loyal band of Syndicate members, “ he said, ” he is now in his eighth season of racing and while not a genuinely top class horse, he has always done his best And he is a much loved horse by the ownership group. And he is the first Fortuna horse to achieve 10 career wins – not many do that.”

Acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$75,000, Eatons Gold  has been a wonderful money spinner for his ownership group of 24 individuals.

EATON’S GOLD’S  win capped off a great weekend for the Fortuna Team in Malaysia with KING SAVINSKY  also scoring an all the  way win on Saturday 28th

Seven Year Old Gelding KING SAVINSKY (Savabeel-Lynisky) led all the way on his home course of Penang in Malaysia Saturday 28th April. Ridden aggressively by rider S Salee and cruising in front, he had his rivals off the bit well before the turn and held on to score his seventh career win, including successes in New Zealand (one), Singapore (three) and Malaysia (three).

KING SAVINSKY is trained at Penang by ex-pat Kiwi conditioner Sharee Hamilton.

Click HERE to see race Video replay 

KING SAVINSKY was selected and acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndicators at the 2012 Karaka yearling sale for the sum of $95,000 and is raced by the Fortuna King Savinsky Syndicate, an ownership group of  29 individuals.