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Alcohol Free, sold for 5.4 million gns on Tattersalls earlier this week, is set to race on in Australia where the four-time Group One winner will join the training partnership of Sydney legend Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.
The 4YO daughter of No Nay Never, who raced in Europe for owner Jeff Smith and trainer Andrew Balding, was the star attraction as she entered a sales ring that was standing room only for the Sceptre Sessions and became the second-highest-priced horse ever sold at a European auction during a remarkable day’s trading at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in Newmarket.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Waterhouse is eyeing Everest next year for Alcohol Free, set to race on after being knocked down to BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe on behalf of Yulong Investments. “She is the real deal,” said Waterhouse, speaking to the Herald.
“She is the queen coming to Australia,” Waterhouse added. “I’m a great believer in waiting until they are in your stable when you are seeing them day in, day out before making plans but it’s very exciting.
“She is a beautiful mare and very lightly raced. She is the best female to come to Australia ever. She won the July Cup, which is 1200m and a very testing 1200m, so The Everest would be one race you think of straight away.”
Alcohol Free ran 15 times for trainer Andrew Balding, winning six races and four Group 1s including the July Cup (1207m) where he beat top Australian sprinter Artorius.