| Horsename: | Count Ricardo |
| Sire: | Principality |
| Grandsire: | Victory Prince (AUS) |
| Dam: | Shanghai Surprise |
| Damsire: | Imperial Prince (IRE) |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Foaled: | 18 August 2001 |
| Country: | Australia |
| Colour: | Chestnut |
| Breeder: | M. Ralston, L.J. Theodore |
| Owner: | P. Damjanovic, S.J. Damjanovic, S.J. Theodore, W.W. Burrell, S.B. Crawford |
| Trainer: | Stephen Theodore |
| Record: | 23: 3-2-4 |
| Earnings: | $543,460 |
| Race: | 2004 MRC Sandown Classic |
| Updated: | 29 August 2011 |
Count Ricardo is an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse gelding who is best known as a bargain purchase from an auction sale. He was foaled on 18 August 2001 and bred by M Ralston, L J Theodore of Victoria. Count Ricardo was a chestnut colt by the unfashionable stallion Principality from Shanghai Surprise (dam of Surprise Pick) by the staying influence Imperial Prince (IRE).
His trainer and co-owner Stephen Theodore purchased him for just A$880 (including GST), who kept a half share and sold half.
Count Ricardo won his debut in a two-year-old race at Mornington, earning $7,150. During 2004, he won two more races including the Group Two Sandown Classic. Prior to the Group One Victoria Derby, Theodore decided to sell 15 per cent of his half-share for a reported $75,000 to part owners P. & S. Damjanovic, W. Burrell & S Crawford. Count Ricardo ran third in the Victoria Derby, 1.4 lengths behind the winner, Plastered.[1]
He raced without any further successes in 2005, 2006 and 2008.[2]
During his racing career, he started 23 times for three wins, two seconds and four thirds with prizemoney of A$543,460 - 600 times his original sale price.[3]