Ryan sources more Americains

Gerry Ryan went back the source of his greatest win in racing when paying $120,000 for a yearling filly by Swettenham Stud sire Americain at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale on Tuesday.

Americain (USA) scored a career-defining victory in the 2010 Melbourne Cup for Ryan and his wife Val along with part-owners Kevin and Colleen Bamford.  He has a paddock full of Americain yearlings back home in Mangalore but couldn’t resist the half-sister to G1 Blue Diamond qualifier Areti.

Catalogued as Lot 441 by Hillside Thoroughbreds, the Americain – Ajamais filly will be trained by Robbie Griffiths at Cranbourne.  “She’s a beautiful, elegant type and a lovely walker,” Griffiths said.  “I think she’s the most appealing Americain here at Oaklands.

“She isn’t as physically forward as Areti at the same age but will keep developing.  It’s a perfect fit for Gerry.  The filly has an active international page and he’s keen to support Americain.”

Griffiths will make a decision in the next few days whether to push on with Areti or send her to the paddock to be readied for a spring campaign.  A Hillside homebred for owners Peter and Areti Arvanitis, she faded from third on the home turn in the G1 Blue Diamond after a debut win at Moonee Valley on February 5.

Americain sold 17 yearlings at a 95% clearance rate during Premier 1 and they averaged $65,295.