Melbourne Cup 2018: Jessica Harrington’s Torcedor sold to Germany with a trip to Flemington the ultimate aim
GOODWOOD Cup runner-up Torcedor has been sold to Germany 'for a significant seven-figure sum' and will be prepared for a crack at the Melbourne Cup.
Owners Te Akau Racing revealed on Thursday their star stayer would continue his career under the care of trainer Andreas Wohler.
It's a blow for current handler Jessica Harrington, who had been preparing the durable six-year-old for a crack at the Londsale Cup next week.
A possible tilt at the Irish St Leger had also been mooted, but those plans have now been scrapped.
Harrington said: "He was bought by a German agent, Ronald Rauscher, and he's leaving my yard tomorrow.
"He's going to a top-class trainer in Germany. I don't really have any more detail than that."
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That trainer is Andreas Wohler, who is no stranger to global success having saddled Protectionist to Melbourne Cup glory in 2014, and Novellist to King George victory a year earlier.
He now has the enviable task of preparing Torcedor for 'the race that stops a nation' after some of Protectionists' owners bought into the horse.
Agent Ronald Rauscher said: "Torcedor has been bought by a group, some Germans and some Australians, and there is some of the same crew (that owned Protectionist).
"He is going to be trained by Andreas Wohler and we have made a semi-plan with him.
"He is in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot, but obviously the other big option is the Melbourne Cup.
"His last two runs behind Stradivarius were very good, particularly his run at Goodwood, and it is exciting times for all involved.
"Jessica has done a wonderful job with the horse and now we have to see if we can follow her.
"We want to see him when he arrives in Germany as obviously he had a blip after he travelled to Dubai earlier in the year, so we will have to see if we think he will handle a trip to Australia.
"It will be up to the crew to decide, but obviously the Melbourne Cup is a hugely valuable race and he looks to have a very nice weight for a horse with such a high rating with 56 kilograms.
"We will entertain the idea, for sure."
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David Ellis, who manages Te Akau Racing, confirmed the sale on TAB Radio.
He said: "In the last few days we have sold Torcedor. We received an enormous offer for a six-year-old gelding. The deal has been completed and we wish the new owners well with him.
"Jessie Harrington has done a remarkable job.
"He's given us some fantastic thrills."