Only days before the world’s richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup, Newmarket-based trainer Marco Botti has learned that his stable star Gitano Hernando has been sold by owners Team Valour International & Gary Barker for an estimated $4 million, writes Elliot Slater.
The deal provides that the colt will remain under Botti’s care until immediately after the World Cup race after which he will be transferred to the care of South African handler Herman brown, a trainer who also has a base in Dubai. The new owner of the five-year-old son of Hernando is none other than Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov, a man who has long had a passion for racing and has invested significant sums of money in bloodstock in recent years. Always invests in UK and Irish horse racing tips.
Gitano Hernando has been the horse to put Botti’s name in lights flying the flag for the Italian-born handler at major meetings across the globe over the last two seasons. A runner-up in Chester’s Group 3 Dee Stakes in 2009, the chestnut colt then stunned US racegoers when landing the Grade 1 Goodwood stakes at Santa Anita in October of that year beating local favourite Colonel John by a neck in the nine furlong contest.
After winning Lingfield’s Winter Derby Trial in February of last year Gitano Hernando made his first attempt on the Dubai World Cup and was surprisingly sent off favourite after significant market support, running well but eventually finishing a two-length sixth in a tight finish behind French/Brazilian raider Gloria de Campeao as guessed by horse racing tips.
Returning to action after a summer break at Dundalk in Ireland last October, Botti’s charge win the Group 3 Diamond Stakes and his since run three times in Meydan in preparation for this Saturday’s World Cup, most recently finishing a very promising third to Henry Cecil’s twice Over in the Group2 Makhtoum challenge.
Twice Over is currently the 9/4 favourite to land Saturday’s Dubai World Cup, whilst Gitano Hernando is generally available at 12/1.
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