CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--Riverdee Stable had a good day at the Foxfield Spring Races on Saturday, April 25, finishing first and second in two races, including in the featured $75,000 Danial Van Clief Novice Stakes.
Cyber Ninja and Rocket One, first and second in the Novice Stakes (Photo courtesy of Camden Littleton)Cyber Ninja,trained by Jack Fisher and ridden by Jamie Bargary, won the $75,000, 2 1/8 mile Novice Stakes by 1/2 length over Rocket One, also owned by Riverdee and trained by Fisher, and Mr. Percy (Ire), trained by Neil Morris was third, another 2 3/4 lengths back.
"We bought Cyber Ninja in the fall of '24 off Bill Mott," said Sean Clancy, manager of Riverdee Stable."We gave him the winter off. Last year was his first full year racing for us."
Riverdee raced Cyber Ninja both on the flat and over fences last year, and he placed second in an allowance on the flat and won an allowance over fences.
"I felt confident going into this race off last year," said Clancy. "He was sitting third, with two way off in front, but I knew we had those two measured. At the top of the hill he got a little flat."
Cyber Ninja was fourth over the last fence but rallied in the stretch for the win.
"I was impressed by him," said Bargary. "He's one of the best I've ever sat on."
"He's nominated for the Novice at Nashville," said Clancy.
"ROCKET ONE was coming back after a two year lay-off," said Clancy.. "This was his first race back. He's always been a nice horse. I was impressed by his race."
Cyber Ninja ridden by Jamie Bargary (Photo courtesy of Camden Littleton)Riverdee's Roja Redemption, trained by Fisher and ridden by Graham Watters, won the $35,000 Ratings Handicap by 9 1/2 lengths over Riverdee's Vintage Year, also trained by Fisher, with Bright Eyed Eagle (Ire), trained by Kathy Neilson, third.
Roja Redemption led the whole race.
"He did it all," said Watters. "He carried me to the front."
"He's been a great horse for us," said Clancy. "He's won over $100,000 both on the flat and over fences."
"He ran at Saratoga last year in the Novice Stakes," said Clancy. "He's a tricky horse, he's hard to rate.He finished third, but he had heat stroke after he finished. It was scary. He was down on the ground for a long time. We gave him the fall off, and this was his first race back since Saratoga. Maybe he'll go to Radnor or maybe Fair Hill. We'll see. He was rated 115 but obviously he'll go up after this."
Tom Garner saddled Maranto Manor's Lydford (GB), ridden by Cian Quirke, to win the $50,000 Good Night Shirt Hurdle Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths over Coutach (GB), trained by Ricky Hendriks, and Welshman, trained by Fisher.
"We've had this horse a long time," said Garner. "We bought him as a 4-year-old. He's 9 now. The owners have been very patient with him."
After racing as a 2- and 3-year-old in England, Lydford raced unplaced in two stakes in this country in 2022, didn't race in 2023 and raced six times in 2024 and 2025 with a win, two seconds and a third.
"Thanks to Tom for bringing me over," said Quirke. "It''s a lovely opportunity to ride here.'
Fisher had three winners at Foxfield, a maiden winner along with Riverdee's two winners.
He saddled Bruton Street-US' Gettleman, ridden by Bargary, to win the $40,000 Maiden Hurdle by 4 1/4 lengths over Fulmineo, trained by Julie Gomena, and Massif, trained by Morris.
Todd Wyatt saddled Ann B. Jackson's Kiyomori, ridden by Freddie Procter, to win the $20,000, 3 mile Maiden Timber by 1/2 length over Evie's Prince and Auction Kingdom, both trained by Morris.
Neilson saddled Commonwealth Racing's British Royalty (On), ridden by Procter, to win the $20,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle by 4 1/2 lengths over Lord Donegal, trained by Morris, and Baby Boss (Fr), trained by Keri Brion,
