Top New Zealand milers Jolly Rodger and Sir Howard have been sold to the United States as jumping prospects and leave tomorrow.
Jolly Rodger's trainer Mark Oulaghan and Sir Howard's co-trainer Peter Hurdle have confirmed the horses will enter the stable of top trainer Jimmy Day, of Virginia, who is renowned for importing proven racehorses from around the world.
The deal was completed by Levin trainer Mick Preston, who for many years has had close contact with the North American racing industry.
It is believed both horses were sold for well into six figures each.
Jolly Rodger and Sir Howard are both unraced over jumps. Jolly Rodger has had extensive schooling, but Sir Howard none.
Oulaghan had planned to race Jolly Rodger over brush hurdles at the Grand National meeting at Riccarton in August.
"He's done quite a bit of schooling and certainly knows what it's about," said Oulaghan. "They (Americans) are obviously looking for proven sprinter-milers at group level, irrespective of any ability at all over jumps."
Jolly Rodger has not raced since unplaced behind his stablemate Top O The Straight in the Gallagher Marton 1600 at Awapuni on May 26.
Jolly Rodger was raced by Oulaghan in partnership with Woodville publican Terry Hikaka. They bought the horse for $25,000 from the South Island sale within days of their top mare Amore Mia winning the 1996 CJC Winter Cup at long odds.
Jolly Rodger won the CJC Winter Cup last August.
The Yachtie-Warlan six-year-old, bred by John Corcoran of Grangewilliam Stud, raced in New Zealand 37 times for seven wins, four seconds, five thirds and six fourths, with stake earnings of $107,125.
Sir Howard (Alannon-Jaboulet) has not raced since finishing unplaced in the Auto Auctions weight-for-age at Trentham in mid-February. His claim to fame is the group two Highview Stud Trophy (1600m) at Ellerslie last January.
The rising five-year-old raced 26 times for six wins, seven seconds and four thirds, with total stakes of $105,100. He was originally trained by Grant Searle.
- NZPA
Racing: Milers sold to US
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