He was so good, Sydney based criminals poisoned him and he was talented enough to upset Gunsynd twice

Apollo Eleven was foaled in 1967 by Cyrus (Darius) out of Lady Rizzio (Treasure Hunt). He was trained by Southland-born Merv Ritchie at Ellerslie, a former prominent jumps jockey and the trainer of Yahabeebe, one of New Zealand's finest sprinting mares of the 1950's. His stallion was most definitely far from a one-hit wonder and is arguably one of the most overlooked and underappreciated New Zealand racehorses in the history of thoroughbred racing down under. In a long racing career, Apollo Eleven is most notable for winning the 1973 Tancred Stakes, 1973 Auckland Cup, 1973 Chipping Norton Stakes, 1973 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 1973 Sydney Cup and the 1975 Chipping Norton Stakes. It is difficult to accurately evaluate the full extent of his potential accomplishments, as certain external circumstances of a questionable nature hindered his progress in the Sydney Cup of 1975.

Apollo Eleven toppled the “Goondiwindi Grey” not once, but twice in feature races in 1973, which was easily his best year. The great Gunsynd’s final start was 50 years ago, and a huge crowd turned out at Royal Randwick to cheer for the popular champion in his farewell race, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Punters had backed the grey Gunsynd into 10/9 favouritism and everything seemed to be going to script – that was until the powerful Kiwi Apollo Eleven finished strongly to upset the retiring champion. Gunsynd’s jockey Kevin Langby said he had a perfect run and thought he would win coming up the rise but Apollo Eleven was just too good. There was an astonishing atmosphere and sense of anticipation on track that day only for the result to leave Gunsynd’s many faithful fans devastated. The talented Kiwi had come to town and spoiled the party.

Apollo Eleven held the distinction for the fastest recorded time in winning the 1973 Gr.2 Sydney Cup with an amazing time of 3 minutes and 19 seconds, only equalled by Just A Dancer in 1991, some 18 years later. In 1973 the race was set at a distance of 3200 metres due to the metric conversion in Australia. Kingston Town was the first to win the Sydney Cup as a Group one race in 1980. The brilliant Auckland stayer is one few New Zealander's have ever heard of, or know little about, let alone the sinister events that were to unfold prior to Apollo Eleven attempting a remarkable feat only six horse have ever achieved; multiple winners of the Sydney Cup are The Barb (1868, 1869), Carbine (1889, 1890), Mosaic (1939, 1940), Veiled Threat (1942, 1944) and Tie The Knot (1998, 1999).

Apollo Eleven returned to Sydney in 1975 to win the Chipping Norton Stakes but was suspected of being poisoned by Sydney-based crime syndicates while travelling to the racecourse to compete for his second Sydney Cup attempt. After winning the Chipping Norton, Apollo Eleven was joint favourite for the Sydney Cup - a race he had won most impressively in 1973. When he originally won the race, jockey Brian Andrew's said the horse felt like a powder keg ready to explode. This time jockey and trainer were left perplexed, as Apollo Eleven finished well down the Cup field with no legitimate explanation for the failure. It wasn't until a month later that that Merv Ritchie suspicions were fully confirmed.

The horse's entire coat fell out, along with his mane and tail, and even his feet disintegrated. It was a classic case of poisoning - Apollo Eleven at been "got at" before the Cup race. Where the criminals had the advantage was in the transporter truck on the way to the races. Horses were only allowed to be accompanied by registered handlers, and Merv was forced to watch strangers take care of his horse. Merv was always steadfast in his belief that Apollo Eleven had been doped for a 'go-slow' performance, and he believed he knew the culprit who worked for a major Sydney stable. What we now know is that notrious underworld boss, the crooked George Freeman was fixing a massive amount of races at the time via the nefarious act of horse doping, and virtually controlled who won or lost at the Harold Park trots from week to week. Horses were shot, racing people were beaten up, and others bribed. Drivers were approached by gangs and stablehands ended up with $5000 payments to do the fixing - a huge sum of money at the time. If you didn't comply to their wishes you could end up with two broken legs. It was extremely ugly, but probably explains what happened to Apollo Eleven in the Autumn of 1975.

In 2024, American-bred stayer Mahrajaan would win the Auckland Cup for trainer Shaun Ritchie, some 50 years since his grandfather Merv Ritchie completed the feat with Apollo Eleven. His son, Frank Ritchie was famous for training the one of greatest ever NZ champions, Bonecrusher. A former Southland boy, Merv passed away in 2003 aged 81. Among his other big winners were; Terrific, who finished 2nd to Tobin Bronze in a Cox Plate, Blyton, Ganymede, Not Again, Lord Metric and Rustler.

RACE RECORD - 87: 12-9-7

EARNINGS - $136,965

Auckland Cup (1973)

Chipping Norton Stakes (1973, 1975)

Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1973)

Sydney Cup (1973)

The Tancred (1973)

Trentham Cup (1975)