Prominent breeder Kevin Hickman, of Valachi Downs, and Hamilton's Todd Bawden have taken the majority interest in the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner, who will be transferred to the Sydney stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Hickman is also a part-owner of Ugo Foscolo's sire Zacinto (GB) and he has moved to
both protect and promote his assets."There had been a lot of interest in Ugo Foscolo from a lot of places and Kevin wanted to ensure the horse was keeping Group One company in Australia for the stallion," said Valachi Downs manager Jonathan Scully.
"As far as Kevin is concerned it's about making sure that Ugo Foscolo gets every possible opportunity."
Hickman and Bawden previously shared in the ownership of the gelding, who was bred and sold by Inglewood Stud - the home of Zacinto - for $50,000 at Karaka in 2015, with Lib Petagna, Tony Muollo, Patrick O'Rourke and Rhoda Phillippo.
Trained by Stephen Marsh, Ugo Foscolo won both of his starts as a juvenile including the Listed Hamilton Vets Equine Stakes.
This season he successfully resumed at Hastings before finishing sixth in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas. He returned to his winning ways in the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial ahead of his impressive victory in the Riccarton feature earlier this month.
"He's spelling at Dean Hawthorne's place and he'll probably be there for another 10 to 14 days and then go over the Gai," Scully said.
"The Australian Guineas is a likely target and longer term we're hoping to get through to the Cox Plate.
"Some didn't think he would get a mile and he proved them all wrong at Riccarton. He's still maturing and he'll strengthen more so we think he will go over a bit more ground."
Hickman has previously enjoyed success with Waterhouse, who prepared Bohemian Lily to win the Gr.2 The Roses at Doomben.
"Kevin's got a half-sister by Fastnet Rock to Bohemian Lily that will also be going to Gai," Scully said. – NZ Racing Desk.
