Lenny Set For Big Things At Stud

The focus for breeders in selecting a sire is based on performance, pedigree, progeny and temperament.

Barcia Bale's recent retirement from active stud duties has brought focus on his best performed sons and one at the very top of an impressive list is Ritza Lenny (ex-Lagoon Lowanna).

Successful at 30 of his 67 starts, Ritza Lenny managed another 20 placings and accumulated $234,427 in stakes over a career spanning just over 2 1/2 years.

His strength at the business end of races was his calling card and trainer Mark Gatt knew he had something special from the time he brought the blue dog home after dad Frank purchased him for $10,000 at the 2014 Richmond Riches Puppy Auction.

"His dam won the 2013 Ladies Bracelet at Wentworth Park and a Dapto Oaks – she had high speed and her own maternal line is one of the best in the land, you just need to check out the progeny," Gatt said.

"We broke him in but even before putting the clock on him, you could tell he had an X factor about him."

His celebrated career kicked off with successive sub-30 seconds wins at Wentworth Park and later posted stunning times at Maitland (24.76), Bulli (25.95) and at Richmond in a rare 30.32 over the testing 535m.

While his power laden finish was evident from day one, Lenny easily eclipsed the significant 10-second mark in the run to the first turn at Bulli (9.87) when a fast 26.08 winner over 472m in February 2017, yet his best win at Bulli came nearly 12 months later.

"He shattered a toe on his near front at Wenty Park in April 2017 and we had no option but to have the toe – and the adjoining sesamoid bone – amputated," Gatt added.

"Richmond vet Matt Kwong did a great job but the injury was significant and he was away from the track for just over eight months.

"Fortunately his fierce attitude was still there – we feared he might have lost something due to the injury but he came back as good as ever.

"In February last year, he won the Group 2 Gold Cup at Bulli in 25.95 which was just a tick outside the track record."

Lenny later won at Wentworth Park in a career best 29.59 and bowed out of racing with a gritty win over 515m at Bulli in mid-June.

"He came off the track with a terrible stopper bone injury and, at four years of age, it was time to let him rest," Gatt added.

"We registered for stud duties just prior to the end of his time on the track and we've been delighted with the quality of bitches he's attracted so far.

"This week, he mated Lil' Miss Flash – the dam of Dave Irwin's brilliant stayer That's Lil Vicki and two weeks back, Sherbini was mated while others include Ritza Hattie, Nymeria, Ritza Millie, Socozie and Addison Road.

"It's an exciting time for him and, while we're in autumn, he's attracting attention and his early pups are showing real promise."

At an $1,100 service fee, Ritza Lenny provides great value for breeders.

Prizemoney in NSW had been stagnant until an increase at the base level was announced by Greyhound Racing NSW on March 12 but that's all about racing stock. The discerning breeder gets a kick here.

In coming months, Ritza Lenny's first pups will grace the track. Should they show the same courage and determination dad had in spades, his stud profile will lift exponentially.