Richoman takes to his new career with gusto

WHEN trainer Mark Ganderton’s former handy stayer Richoman was retired from the track four years ago his life partner, the horse’s regular trackwork rider Stephanie Rogers, felt as if she were losing a close friend.

But Richoman’s owner John Stewart, who is chairman of Racing Victoria, gave the horse to Rogers on condition that she could offer the then seven-year-old gelding a home for life and that he would never race again.

Rogers accepted the offer and these days they are inseparable as both horse and rider are on the verge of carving names for themselves in the showjumping arena.

“I regard Richo as my best friend and together we are a good team,” Rogers said. “He is quirky and has a special way about him and I’m sure he has the same affection for me.

“I used to ride the horse in trackwork when he was racing and I was pretty much the only one who got along with him and he became my favourite. It’s not uncommon for horse and rider to form that sort of bond but he is the only horse to have had that effect on me.”

Richoman began his racing career in Victoria, where he performed admirably before making his way to Ganderton’s stables in January 2013. His first win came at his fourth Tasmanian start in a benchmark 68 in Hobart before he went on to win three in succession, culminating in probably the best win of his career, the 2013 Tasmanian St Leger over 2100m.

Richoman went up against Tasmanian champion Geegees Blackflash when that horse was racing at his peak. In a slogging finish Richoman poked his nose out where it counted and won the race, and Rogers remembers it well.

“I know everyone associated with the stable was very excited when Richo’s number was posted and I can still remember the feeling when he was being led back to the winner’s stall,” Rogers said.

Richoman was immediately sent to South Australia with Rogers as his minder and while there the gelding collected three minor placings from his four starts at Morphettville before being sent back to Tasmania.

In December 2014, after a long spell, Ganderton put Richoman in a trial, but when he was being unsaddled the trainer noticed slight swelling in the near foreleg, after which the owner immediately retired the gelding.

Rogers, 27, who is a nurse at Launceston General Hospital, has been riding since she was 10 and has spent the past 15 years competing at pony clubs.

But when Richoman arrived at her property at Westbury she contemplated progressing to showjumping and Richoman has proved the perfect partner.

When Richoman was rac- ing his greatest asset was his endeavour and the son of Golden Snake has carried that into his showjumping career.

“His work ethic is amazing. He tries his hardest at whatever he does and that says a lot about the horse’s character,” Rogers said.