Handsome Ransom, who defeated Exceed And Excel in the 2003 Black Opal Stakes, has been exported from New Zealand to China.

Following the Group 3 win in Canberra, his owners turned down an offer of $2 million from Hong Kong.  The Paul Sutherland trained colt was one of the favourites for the Golden Slipper Stakes but illness ruled him out of the world’s richest juvenile race.

Handsome Ransom (Red Ransom) returned at three and was runner-up in the inaugural Golden Rose.  He also finished third in the G2 Hobartville Stakes and ran fourths in the G2 San Domenico Stakes and G2 Royal Sovereign Stakes.

Initially based at Ashwell Farm, he served 8 books at Wellfield Lodge in Palmerston North siring 125 winners of 318 races.  Now rising 15, his leading performers have been the Ransomed (G1 Spring Classic), Rememba Howe (G3 Gold Trail Stakes) and Weissmuller (G3 Wellington Stakes),

“It’s sad to see him go and he was a good stallion and fine servant, but unfortunately he was no longer commercial,” Wellfield Lodge owner Bill Gleeson said.  “There was a lack of support so he’s gone to China and will be serving a lot more mares there.”