Unbeaten Steel Bull Sold in Private Purchase

The unbeaten 2-year-old Steel Bull, last seen winning the Markel Insurance Molecomb Stakes (G3) at Glorious Goodwood, has been purchased privately by classic-winning owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez.

The owner's racing manager Bill Dwan confirmed the acquisition to the Racing Post, saying: "Mrs. Regalado-Gonzalez has purchased Steel Bull and the plan is that the horse will run in the Phoenix Stakes (G1) at the weekend."

Expanding on the purchase and Steel Bull's immediate plans, Dwan said: "He was very impressive at Naas first time out, winning by 2 1/2 lengths, then he backed that up in better company at Goodwood.

"He did it the hard way in the Molecomb Stakes so he looks an exciting prospect and please God he can compete at the top level this weekend.

"The Nunthorpe (G1) has also been mentioned but we'll take one step at a time. A lot has happened quickly for this horse so I wouldn't like to predict too far into the future. After the Phoenix we'll let the dust settle and see what the next option is."

Steel Bull was purchased by trainer Michael O'Callaghan for just £28,000 (US$34,722) at the Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale, where he was offered by Andrew Lynch's Kilbrew Stables, who pinhooked the colt for a mere £15,000 ($18,518). Dwan confirmed that the unbeaten colt would be remaining in O'Callaghan's stable.

Regalado-Gonzalez's familiar red and yellow silks have been carried to success this year by the likes of Patrick Sarsfield, winner of the Green Room Meld Stakes (G3), and the redoubtable Speak In Colours, who has claimed the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (G2) and the Rybo Ballycorus Stakes (G3) on his last two outings.

Both performers are trained by Joseph O'Brien, with whom the owner also has Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale top lot Summer Sands.

O'Brien's brother Donnacha is also on the roster of trainers employed by Regalado-Gonzalez, with the 22-year-old having saddled impressive Leopardstown maiden winner Fernando Vichi last month.

Regalado-Gonzalez has also campaigned the likes of four-time group/grade 1 winner Iridessa, who has since been sold on to Japanese interests, Man o' War Stakes (G1T) scorer Zhukova, who was sold to Godolphin for 3,700,000 guineas ($5,236,203), and Qualify, a 50-1 winner of the Investec Oaks (G1) in 2015 before joining the Godolphin broodmare band at 1,600,000 guineas ($2,529,408).

Steel Bull will be supplemented on Tuesday, at a cost of €20,000, for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh this Sunday. The group 1 contest will form part of an ITV3 triple-header with Salisbury and Thirsk.