Refuse To Bend has been purchased by Sheikh Mohammed to stand as a future stallion at Darley Stud.
The Sadler?s Wells half-brother to Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle, trained by Dermot Weld to win the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas in May as well as the 2002 National Stakes, has been sold in a private deal with Walter Haefner?s Moyglare Stud.
Sheikh Mohammed?s bloodstock adviser John Ferguson told the Darley web-site, 'We are delighted to have secured Refuse To Bend as a future Darley stallion. Sheikh Mohammed has kindly agreed to lease Refuse To Bend back to Mr Haefner so that the horse can run in the Breeders? Cup Mile in the Moyglare colours.'
No decision has yet been made as to whether Refuse To Bend will stay in training as a four-year-old or retire to stud.
The dual Group 1 winner, who failed to stay behind Kris Kin in the Vodafone Derby but successfully returned to a mile in the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown, ran too free on his latest start when 11th in the Prix du Moulin.
Weld is looking forward to taking Refuse To Bend to America saying, 'Santa Anita will suit him well as he?s very effective going left handed. He put up an excellent performance in the 2000 Guineas, and is the best miler I?ve trained.'
'I was unlucky not to win a Breeders? Cup Mile when Brief Truce was a very close third to Lure but this is a better horse and I?m very hopeful he can win it.'
