William Haggas was planning to steer clear of his father-in-law Lester Piggott after Superstar Leo trotted up in record time the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury today.
Piggott, the joint-breeder and former part-owner of the filly, was opposed to the sale to an American-syndicate which was completed earlier in the month.
The riding legend probably had mixed feelings as Superstar Leo proceeded to hammer her 21 rivals in the #125,000 contest.
Haggas, speaking from Newmarket, said: "Lester will kill me for selling her _ but it was a good deal and I'm thrilled for the new owners."
The trainer had left his wife Maureen, Piggott's daughter, to supervise at Newbury because of an aversion to flying.
"I haven't been on a light aircraft since the door flew open when I was returning from Newcastle after the Northumberland Plate in 1993," he said.
"So I was quite happy to leave Maureen to go to Newbury. She flew down with the jockey Michael Hills."
Superstar Leo moved to the front at the two-furlong pole and found a devastating change of gear to take charge.
At the line she was three and a half lengths clear of Elsie Plunkett with the dead-heaters Up Tempo and Threezedzz a further short-head back.
The heavily-backed Romantic Myth (10-11) never seriously threatened in sixth.
Superstar Leo, making it four wins from five outings, lowered by 1.33secs the course record set by Lord Kintyre three years ago.
Maureen Haggas said: "She's just such a professional filly and never bats an eyelid at anything.
"She was named by daddy after a boat in Hong Kong where he enjoyed a good party. Luckily she didn't turn into a boat herself.
"My father and Tony Hirschfield still have the mare and she's in foal. I'm sure she will be going back to College Chapel who sired this one."
Superstar Leo is likely to race in America at some stage but she is staying here for the time being.
She is set to move up to six furlongs with the Heinz 57 Stakes earmarked for her next outing.
Romantic Myth's trainer Tim Easterby, also responsible for Up Tempo, was upset over the favourite's treatment at the start.
"I asked the stewards to put her in late but they didn't listen to me. She lashed out and hurt her back legs," he said. "I'll be taking this matter up with the stewards."
