By Kelsey Riley
Ribbons (GB) (Manduro {Ger}–Sister Act {GB}, by Marju {Ire}), the winner of the 2014 G1 Prix Jean Romanet who was bought back by owner/breeder Elite Racing Club for 500,000gns at Tattersalls December last year, has been sold privately to an undisclosed American buyer, Elite Racing's Dan Downey told TDN Friday.
Trained by James Fanshawe, the now 6-year-old Ribbons recorded a career high in the Romanet and also defeated G1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when winning last year's G2 Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford S. on Irish Champions Weekend. Ribbons, who also placed in the G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines and G1 Pretty Polly S., won or placed in 12 of her 14 starts.
Ribbons is a second generation homebred for Elite Racing. The operation purchased her second dam, Kalinka (Ire) (Soviet Star), as a yearling, and she went on to produce the club's first Group 1 winner, Soviet Song (GB) (Marju {Ire})–who won five times at the highest level including the 2004 G1 Sussex S.–in addition to Ribbons's dam, Sister Act.
“Ribbons was the second horse we bred that was a Group 1 winner so she'll always have a special place in our history,” Downey said. “We're delighted and hope the owners will enjoy her as a broodmare, whether that be in America or here in Europe. She's a great horse and we were very lucky to have her.”
Downey said he was unsure if Ribbons would remain in Europe or go to America, but said he believed she would now be retired from racing and bred.
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