Ricky Ludwig after more bank interest

By Jordan Gerrans

Just days after his former stable star tasted Group 2 glory in Hong Kong, Far North Queensland trainer Ricky Ludwig has revealed a half-brother to Tomodachi Kokoroe is edging closer to a maiden public appearance.

Tomodachi Kokoroe raced as Bank Bank Bank for owner and trainer Ludwig in North Queensland through 2022 before being sold to Hong Kong where he is now trained by champion conditioner David Hayes.

Tomodachi Kokoroe claimed the biggest race of his career on Sunday when he scored in the Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap over 1200 metres at Sha Tin.

The former North Queensland galloper has been an absolute revelation for Hayes and his connections as he has run the second quickest time ever recorded on the famous Sha Tin surface.

The only horse that has bettered Tomodachi Kokoroe’s mark over 1200 metres is global superstar Ka Ying Rising who was crowned the 2025 champion of The Everest in Sydney only recently. 

While Ludwig no longer puts the polish on Bank Bank Bank, as he was known in Australia, he believes his younger half-brother might aim up as a serious racehorse.

A two-year-old youngster named Bank Interest, who is also out of mare Rainbeam, is being pre-trained by John Johnston at Caloundra.

“If he is half as good then I will be happy,” Ludwig said.

“We can only dream. He is not a bad sort, but Bank Bank Bank was by Written Tycoon.

“This one is by Jungle Cat, who is no comparison to Written Tycoon as a stallion.”

Ludwig parted with just $5,000 for his unraced youngster. 

The yearling that became Bank Interest was set to go through the Magic Millions sales before he was eventually removed.

Sometime later, the 72-year-old Ludwig saw the yearling for sale online and sent his son out to inspect the then colt.

Ludwig’s son gave him the tick of approval after the Innisplain visit and the rest is history.

Johnston’s daughter Kayla, who is an apprentice hoop, has been riding Bank Interest this week at the Sunshine Coast and Ludwig believes he may trial by the end of November or in early December.

“She just got on this horse this week,” Ludwig said of Kayla. 

“They are interested in him overseas if he can win a trial, but you never know with them over there. He was broken in and he was in work for a bit and then he was gelded and turned out.

“He has been back in about a month now. The best bit is that he is QTIS eligible.”

Johnston, who has worked closely with Ludwig for decades, also pre-trained Bank Bank Bank before he made his way to FNQ.

Bank Bank Bank was unbeaten in six starts for Ludwig before going to Hong Kong.

Australian Racing Hall of Fame member Hayes was full of praise of the former NQ galloper after Sunday’s romp.

“I think he is a legitimate very good sprinter,” Hayes said.

“He is a quality sprinter. He is an exciting horse. He is an easy horse to train.

“He runs time and you cannot ignore that, if he gets a good run in a big race – he will run well.”

The affable Ludwig has no regrets about selling Bank Bank Bank and is chuffed to see his former stable star shine on the big stage.

“He could gallop, I knew he was good, but I did not know he was this good,” he said.

“With the money we got offered, good luck to them over in Hong Kong.

“This horse, it is putting North Queensland on the map as far as I am concerned, they are calling him the Cairns flyer.”