A “crush” on champion pacer Leap To Fame has spurred top thoroughbred trainer Mick Price to give harness racing a crack.
Although he won’t be changing codes, Price was so impressed with his first look at Leap To Fame in the flesh at Melton on Saturday night, he went to the Australian Gold Sales the next day and bought a yearling.
Price paid $18,000 for a colt by super sire Art Major out of Princess Sandel and declared it would join the stables of champion Victorian trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin.
“It’s all because I was at Melton on Saturday night, watched the great racing and got to see Leap To Fame close up,” he said.
“After the race I was lucky enough to spend 30 minutes with Grant Dixon’s wife, Trista, and watched Leap To Fame. We talked about heart rates and recoveries. I loved it.
“I’d been up since 3am for trackwork and Flemington all day and my eyes were hanging out of my head, but I’m so glad I went out there.
“I was just mesmerized by that horse, Leap To Fame. I know he didn’t win, but what a great run it was.
“I heard the sales were on the next day and said to Shona (Dreschler, partner), I wanted to buy one.”
Price looked at Leap To Fame’s breeding. but more so how he moved.
“I knew he was by Bettors Delight out of an Art Major mare and I picked out this colt by Art Major. I didn’t have a second pick, just this one, and I got him,” he said.
“I was driving Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin) mad. Ring me, ring me, I want to buy this horse and I want you to train him.”
For Price, it was almost 30 years in between visits to a harness racing meeting.
“The first and only other time was when I snuck out to go and watch Christian Cullen at Moonee Valley,” he said.
“But Leap To Fame really caught my eye. I’ve been watching his races for a while and have been waiting for a suitable time and big meeting to go and watch him.
“I loved it. I thought the night was fantastic. Harness Racing has improved out of sight and I hope it starts to thrive again.”
Price is one of numerous thoroughbred fans Leap To Fame has gained through his record-breaking career.
Blake Shinn, his partner Lucy Yeomans, Wayne Hawkes, Craig Newitt and renowned foreman Reg Fleming were all trackside at Melton.
Fleming, Bart Cummings’ long-time right hand man, said former great pacer Paleface Adios was his first harness favourite.
“Now I love this guy. He’s the first one I’ve really wanted to come along to see since,” he said.
Elsewhere, jockeys Ben Thompson and Tyler Schiller are also huge fans of Leap To Fame.
Leap To Fame did the work outside his older half-brother Swayzee and finished a close second in last Saturday night’s Hunter Cup.
He boasts 64 wins and over $5.3 million and may now head to the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 14.
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PHOTO: Mick Price and others with Leap To Fame - supplied by Mick Price
