Imperial Beauty, a top-class sprinter when trained by Peter Makin, was bought by leading owner Michael Tabor for 950,000 guineas at Tatersalls December Sales in Newmarket on Tuesday.
Imperial Beauty was twice runner-up at the highest level, finishing second to Wannabe Grand in the 1998 Cheveley Park Stakes and last year she was beaten a short head by Agnes World in the Prix de l`Abbaye de Longchamp.
The daughter of Imperial Ballet, who was knocked down to British Bloodstock Agency (Ireland) agent Patrick Cooper, acting for Tabor and co-owner John Magnier, is to be trained by John Hammond at Chantilly.
'She`s a Group One winner in everything but name,' Cooper told the Racing Post. 'We knew she wouldn`t be cheap and her new owners will definitely be breeding from her. She comes from a good family.'
Hammond added: 'She`s a high-class sprinter and I`m delighted to be getting her.'
Her four-year-old season was cut short after she reportedly sustained a haematoma after slipping on the road in July.
Imperial Beauty finished fourth behind Hammond`s Nuclear Debate in the King`s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on the second of her two starts this term.
