Count De Rupee's claim to fame as the wealthiest multi-millionaire without a stake win has ended after the son of Real Impact (JPN) claimed Saturday's Group II Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
The Robert and Luke Price-trained 4yo gelding was a 6-time winner before Saturday, including the valuable $1,000,000 The Gong at Kembla Grange last November and was runner-up in the $7,500,000 Golden Eagle and third in the $500,000 Silver Eagle.
But the closest he had come in four previous stakes attempts was his last start second in the Group III Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick.
The trainers stuck solid with Brock Ryan, who rewarded them with an excellent ride as Count De Rupee gathered in Scallopini (Snitzel) in the final 50m to win by a long head.
The winner's extremely accomplished stablemate Jamaea (Headwater) was a length back in third.
"I've got a big rap on this horse," Luke Price said.
"We went to the Newmarket first up, and the TJ Smith second up. We were just having a terrible program at home with the wet tracks and getting the horses worked how we needed to get them worked. He went to the Warwick Farm trials before last start, he switched on, and we knew the horse was still going well.
"We were going to go to the Doomben 10,000, but we thought we would get the horse's confidence up. He is a serious racehorse, a very serious racehorse. I haven't ridden many horses as good as this. I think we've still got a lot more to come.
“I think it could be just the (Doomben) 10,000 in two weeks, but nothing's locked in.
“I thought the filly (Jamaea), had the flashing light on.
“She was just outstanding back on a firm track. She could go to the Stradbroke.
“We will sit down, take them home to their own environment for the next week or ten days, and work out the rest of the winter with them.”
In January, Michael Costa Racing/Bevan Smith Bloodstock outlaid $180,000 for a full brother to Count De Rupee at the Magic Millions.
Count De Rupee is the first foal of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Timeless Choice, a sister to Horse Of The Year Lankan Rupee and to the dam of Listed winner Manhattan Street (Manhattan Rain).
Timeless Choice has a yearling Dundeel filly and a weanling Written Tycoon colt.
She was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.
Count De Rupee is the third black-type winner for the Group 1 ATC George Ryder Stakes and Group 1 Yasuda Kinen winner Real Impact (JPN) (Deep Impact), who shuttled to Arrowfield for three seasons (2016-18).
