| Count Ricardo | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Principality |
| Grandsire | Victory Prince (AUS) |
| Dam | Shanghai Surprise |
| Damsire | Imperial Prince (IRE) |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 18 August 2001 |
| Country | Australia |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Mr M. Ralston, Mr L.J. Theodore |
| Owner | Mr P. Damjanovic, Mrs S.J. Damjanovic, Mr S.J. Theodore, Mr W.W. Burrell, Mr S.B. Crawford |
| Trainer | Stephen Theodore |
| Record | 23: 3-2-4 |
| Earnings | $543,460 |
| Major wins | |
| 2004 MRC Sandown Classic | |
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
| Last updated on 29 August 2011 | |
Count Ricardo is an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse gelding who is best known as a bargain purchase from an auction sale. He was foaled on 18 August 2001 and bred by Mr M Ralston, Mr L J Theodore of Victoria. Count Ricardo was a chestnut colt by the unfashionable stallion, Principality from Shanghai Surprise (dam of Surprise Pick) by the staying influence Imperial Prince (IRE).
His trainer and co-owner Stephen Theodore, purchased him for just A$880 (including GST), who kept a half share and sold half.
Count Ricardo won his debut, in a two-year-olds' race at Mornington, earning $7,150. During 2004, he won two more races including the Group Two Sandown Classic. Prior to the Group One Victoria Derby Theodore decided to sell 15 per cent of his half-share, for a reported $75,000 to part owners, P. & Mrs S. Damjanovic, W. Burrell & S Crawford. Count Ricardo ran third in the Victoria Derby, 1.4 lengths behind the winner, Plastered.[1]
He raced without any further successes in 2005, 2006 and 2008.[2]
During his racing career he started 23 times for three wins, two seconds and four thirds with prizemoney of A$543,460 - 600 times his original sale price.[3]
Owing to minor injury setbacks, the best was never seen of Count Ricardo, who soon disappeared from the racing scene.