Warrnambool trainer Simon Ryan has a penchant for stayers and jumpers and has always wanted a horse by Galileo in his stable.
Imported galloper Blenheim Palace, who was trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland before joining Chris Waller briefly and then Daniel Bowman, is the son of Galileo that Ryan had been looking for.
Racing under the Yulong Investments banner for Bowman, Ryan and connections picked up Blenheim Palace for $16,000 during the year and on Saturday at Flemington the gelding will have his third start for his new stable when he contests the Schweppervescence Handicap (2600m).
Blenheim Palace made his debut for Ryan on a heavy track in the Dunkeld Cup on Noevmeber 13 before finishing third to Starcaster and Dark Dream in the Werribee Cup (2000m) on December 5.
Ryan expected Blenheim Palace to be sold for almost three times his eventual sale price.
“He hasn’t done much in Australia yet but when you’re a jumping-based stable the breeding of him was attractive,” Ryan said.
“We’ll explore flat options with him first, but he’s been bought for the early jumps races next season.
“In a perfect world, if he runs competitively on Saturday, he might go to the Bagot Handicap (on New Year’s Day) and then keep going, rather than stop and go again with him as he might not be suited in the depths of winter on heavy ground.”
Ryan is expecting Blenheim Palace to appreciate both the extra distance on Saturday and the roomier Flemington circuit.
At Werribee Ryan said Blenheim Palace was unable to maintain his momentum on the turning track.
Ryan said Blenheim Palace gives him the feel of Tarquin who ran second in the 2019 Mornington Cup under his care.
“I’m really looking forward to Saturday to see if he can stay,” Ryan said.
“Even though he’s third-up, I think he’s had enough work and racing to run 2600 metres.
“He’s been schooled. He’s done the preliminary stuff, no trials, and he jumps OK.”