Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Ransom Man winning the Digicel Jamaica Derby at Caymanas Park on June 3. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
This year's Derby winner RANSOM MAN has changed hands, having been sold by his owner, Darrington Ferguson, for $2.7 million last week.
The three-year-old bay gelding by Ghost Ransom out of Dame O'Mandy was transferred to the stables of Gary Subratie last Tuesday evening, moving from trainer Eraldo Fullerton who saddled him to a famous victory in the June 3 Digicel Jamaica Derby.
RANSOM MAN, the season's leading stakes winner so far with $3.59 million, was purchased by Philip Azar of Sun Valley Farms Limited in what many insiders say is a surprise move.
"I can't understand it," said a veteran trainer who often buys horses on behalf of clients at the annual yearling sale.
"Here you have a horse who was unraced as a two-year-old, yet in six months of campaigning he earns a whopping $3.5 million by virtue of having won the Derby, and is sold for only $2.7 million. How can you sell a Derby winner?
"Ransom Man is a young horse with great earning potential and it's hard to believe that he has changed hands at this stage."
CONTENDING VIEW
However, a leading owner did not share his view.
"I think it's a good deal. You have to remember that Ransom Man was purchased for only $470,000 at the 2004 yearling sale and was fortunate enough to win over $3.5 million in stakes for his owner.
"Add the $2.7 million price tag and it's an enormous return on his investment. This is perhaps the only owner who we can truly say has made a killing, for 90 per cent of owners pay out more to keep horses in training than they earn from purse money," he said.
Subratie, meanwhile, says his long-term objective is to run RANSOM MAN in the November 11 Red Stripe Superstakes.
"I got him in reasonably good condition," says the in-form trainer. "But he will miss the Prime Minister's Stakes over 10 furlongs on August 7 and I don't think I will be ready to race him until September as part of his prep for the Supertstakes," he added.
Subratie posted his 20th winner of the season (Kysha Baby) on Saturday, while he saddled two winners in Sonny B' Good and Sophia last Wednesday.
