ANNIE Power is in foal to Galileo following a private deal between Coolmore and Rich Ricci.

The mare, winner of 15 of her 17 starts, was retired at the end of last season after a series of training setbacks caused her to miss the entire campaign.

Although Ricci has traditionally sold his racemares once retired, he decided to keep Annie Power and she was covered by Camelot. Unfortunately the mare did not hold the foal, prompting Ricci to change his mind.

“Coolmore expressed an interest in taking her and she couldn’t ask for a better home, so we did a deal,” he told The Irish Field this week. “She was covered by Galileo and the good people at Coolmore have kindly let me retain a share of the foal.”

By Shirocco out of an Old Vic (Sadler’s Wells) mare, Annie Power is very well-bred herself. She is a granddaughter of Anna Paola, champion filly in Germany aged two and three.

Ricci is looking forward to Royal Ascot next week when he hopes to be doubly-represented in the Gold Cup. “Thomas Hobson had a long break after his great sixth place finish in the Melbourne Cup. That was by design and he is in great nick. He has won over the course and distance and it would be really something if he could get in the first three on Thursday. We also run Max Dynamite, who has a higher rating but his chances are probably slim.”