THE horse that made history as King Charles’ first winner has been sold and will continue his career in Australia.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Just Fine was bought by an Aussie investor for an eye-watering £315,000 at the Tattersalls sales on Tuesday evening.
The four-year-old was an easy winner at Leicester on October 4 as he became the first winner for King Charles since the death of The Queen.
But that victory was not enough to earn him a place on the Royal squad for next season and he was still sent to the ‘Horses in Training Sale’.
He will now head Down Under to be trained by legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse – who has previously trained for The Queen.
Just Fine was the first of 12 Royal runners to go under the hammer in Newmarket this week as the King’s racing operation is slimmed down under Queen Consort Camilla.
After a prolonged bidding war, Just Fine was bought by bloodstock agent Johnny McKeever.
He told the Racing Post: “It is a while since I have bought one from the Royal Studs, but Gai Waterhouse has trained for the late Queen before and will be thrilled to be getting a horse that she owned.
“Sea The Stars is one of my all-time favourite racehorses and sires, I rate him up there with all the great ones, and, except for Frankel, he is one of the best staying stallions in the world.
“We are looking for good quality horses, Sir Michael recommended him very strongly, he vetted extremely clean, there were no issues on x-rays.
“I don’t know if there have been many Sea The Stars in Australia, but this horse’s level of form is pretty good.
“He is the right sort of horse for Australia and we have tried on a few others.
“He will head straight down to Australia. He will have some time off and be given some time to acclimatise, and we generally see how good they are only about a year later.”
Another of The Queen’s ex-horses, Theme Park, was also the subject of intense bidding on Tuesday.
The promising two-year-old, who won on his second start at Kempton last time, was bought for £210,000 but looks likely to stay in the UK with Yorkshire trainer Nigel Tinkler.
Later today, the filly who was the final Royal winner before The Queen died on September 8 will be sold.
Love Affairs won at Goodwood on September 6 but will go through the ring at Lot 1043 this afternoon.
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