The third favourite for the Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas has
been purchased by Rob Ferguson, a successful Australian breeder and owner and
formerly a part-owner of Magic Millions."There was a lot of interest in the horse from Asia, but we've managed to do a deal and keep him here," said Waikato Bloodstock's Bryce Tankard, who brokered the deal with expatriate New Zealander Steve Brem, a Sydney-based bloodstock agent.
"The horse will be staying here for races like the million dollar Karaka Million 3YO Classic in January and he could probably go to Australia in the autumn."
Tankard originally purchased the son of Sebring for $240,000 out of Lyndhurst Farm's Premier Sale draft at Karaka in 2016.
"I bought him as a yearling for Chun Wong, the gentleman from Hong Kong who raced him," he said.
Trained by Tony Pike at Cambridge, Ever Loyal filled minor placings in his first two starts before he won a maiden at Te Aroha.
He then showed he was a serious Guineas contender with an impressive last-start victory in the Listed Zacinto Stakes (1600m) at Ashburton.
"He's improved with each race and in the Zacinto he was left in front with 600m to run," Tankard said.
"He's still learning what it's all about and he's a lovely horse with a really bright future."
He has been ridden in all of his starts by Jason Waddell, who again has the mount on Saturday. – NZ Racing Desk.
