Malotru leaves Botti as run behind Pinatubo earns Hong Kong sale

Malotru has had his last run for trainer Marco Botti after the three-year-old was sold to continue his career in Hong Kong.

A wide-margin winner of a Listed race at Lingfield in February, Malotru ran a fine comeback second at Newcastle before putting up a career-best performance to finish third to Pinatubo in the Qatar Prix Jean Prat at Deauville earlier this month.

Botti said: "It's sad for the yard to lose a talented horse but it's always the case that, when they get to that level, there is plenty of demand from Hong Kong. He wants seven furlongs to a mile and fast ground so he was always going to be attractive to that market or to America.

"It's disappointing not to have been able to win a Group race with him. It was a good effort in the Jean Prat and there was definitely more to come from him. But you have to understand from the owners' point of view, when you look at the prize-money they are running for here and they get a good offer, they are forced to sell."

Malotru's form figures

Botti is realistic enough to know that a 109-rated horse not in one of the major stud ownerships will be vulnerable to such an offer in any year.

In the specific case of Malotru, it is as much the reduced options to travel as the disparity in prize-money between Britain and Hong Kong that made this year especially difficult.

Malotru ahead of his fine third in the Prix Jean Prat at DeauvilleCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

"When he won the Listed race in February the plan might have been the Greenham or the German Guineas and then something like the Secretariat Stakes in America," said Botti. "That would have changed the picture if he could have gone for prize-money of $400,000.

"Unfortunately his trip in Europe is seven furlongs and so you are looking at the Hungerford Stakes, while the ground might have gone for him later in the year by the time of the Prix de la Foret.

"Our hands were a little bit tied because in any other year you can travel with those horses. It's frustrating but we can only wish the new owners good luck and wish them well."

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