THE UNBEATEN, Group One-winning juvenile Kingsfort, a 10 to 1 market leader for next year’s 2,000 Guineas, is on the verge of being sold out of Kevin Prendergast’s yard.
In a deal all but concluded over the weekend, the National Stakes winner is set to leave Prendergast and continue his career for new connections. Although it couldn’t be confirmed yesterday, it is believed Godolphin is the most likely buyer.
“I don’t know where he is going, but I can confirm that there is a deal with Anthony Stroud for a client of his,” Prendergast said yesterday. “It is a blow to the system, but what can you do? We will just have to soldier on.”
Stroud is a former racing manager to Sheikh Mohammed, whose Godolphin operation have made a habit of snapping up some of the best young talent in Ireland in recent years.
After an unbeaten two-year-old career, Jim Bolger’s New Approach was purchased by the sheikh and won the 2008 Derby in the colours of his wife, Princess Haya.
This year Godolphin also purchased Long Lashes out of Jessica Harrington’s stables, and she went on to win a Group Three at Newmarket.
Kingsfort was previously owned by a long-standing owner at Prendergast’s yard, Norman Orminston, and was a €36,000 yearling purchase. After winning on his debut at the Curragh in June, the War Chant colt followed up at the same track when beating Chabal in a close finish to the National Stakes.
The horses share 10 to 1 favouritism in Paddy Power’s betting for next year’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Prendergast consoled himself yesterday with the prospect of his Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Tarmagent remaining in his care.
“At least we will have something to look forward to over the winter. She is a very good filly and the form of her Moyglare win seems to be working out well,” he said.
Ground conditions are set to be quick at Roscommon today for an eight-race, all-National Hunt card that will see the bookmakers taking no chances with the Tony Martin-Ruby Walsh representative in the two-mile handicap hurdle.
Charminamix may be a son of the French stallion Linamix, but he has shown a preference for quick ground in the past and he will get that for his first start over jumps in 15 months.
Martin’s runner has run twice on the flat in Britain recently, finishing sixth to Royal Destination at York after disappointing at Goodwood before that.
A Down Royal hurdles winner in May of last year, Charminamix has to return to form, but the better ground should help in that regard.
Walsh will also be fancied in the following maiden hurdle on Financialregulator, but, on the surface, Noel Meade’s Rocket Boy, runner-up at Downpatrick last week, may be a better option.
Meade and his stable jockey Paul Carberry can also get the best of the argument in the novice hurdle with Asigh Pearl, who looks to have Dermot Weld’s Galway winner Teach Nua to beat.
