In the end, it came down to a business decision. For Ryan Hill, it was head over heart.
It won’t lessen the emotion, but Hill will part company with London’s Image, a filly that kick-started his training career when she’ll be offered for sale at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in Sydney tonight (Thursday).
“I rang the person I always ring when I need advice (Neville Parnham) and had a chat to him about a few options,” Hill said on Tabradio.
“All the smart people say if we sell her and pay the rest of our mortgage off, it builds the operation going forward, we own all the horses.
“It’s definitely a business decision, my heart tells me to keep her, she’s given us great thrills, no doubt about that.”
London’s Image raced 17 times under Hill’s direction for five wins, four seconds and two thirds, accumulating close to half a million dollars in prizemoney.
A daughter of Headwater, she flourished and came into her own at Ascot carnival time last year with her tough on pace pattern of racing winning her an army of admirers.
She announced her arrival on the big stage by winning the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) in November, leading from the front and scoring at a healthy $41.
Her next big win came in Bunbury in the Breeders’ Classic (1200m), again powerful out in front and again denying runner-up Ron’s Finalflutter a victory.
Either side of her dual Listed wins she ran second in the Placid Ark Stakes (1200m), Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) and Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m).
Hill upped the ante and took her to Melbourne where she ran a super third behind Brudenell in the Abell Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley before coming asunder next start.
She tried her heart out in the Kewney Stakes but tailed off to run last, a long campaign and the 1600m trip proving a bridge too far to cross.
Although in his care a brief time, Hill said London’s Image had given him a lifetime of thrills.
“That night at the Valley, the atmosphere was just unbelievable,” Hill said.
“I know she ran third, but she’s given us great thrills, no doubt about that.
“The Burgess Queen will never be topped for me.
“First up 1400m, I had a decent bet on her at a good price, yeah, unbelievable.
“She’s just been unbelievable, always ran super races.”
London’s Image is one of 96 lots due to go under the hammer at Warwick Farm, a star-studded catalogue that also includes Bella Nipotina and Amelia’s Jewel.
Amelia’s Jewel was the darling of Perth racing who reached the elite level when taking out the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) under the care of trainer, Simon Miller
A 10-time stakes winner, Amelia’s Jewel claimed her last big win in March when successful in the Group 2 Guy Walter (1400m) at Randwick for Annabel and Rob Archibald,
With 10 wins and seven minor placings from 24 outings, Amelia’s Jewel earned $4 million for Amelia Park owner-breeder, Peter Walsh.
“The hardest decision was calling time on her racing career, but her last two runs were not her,” Walsh said.
“There will be mixed emotions and she’s given us a lot of fun, but I think it’s time she moved on to a good stallion.
“I think it’s a good time for her; she’s only had the 24 starts.
“There’s been a lot of interest in her and she looks like a queen.”
Amelia’s Jewel will be offered through Segenhoe Stud.
