Group 1 winning miler Palentino has been retired to stand at Sun Stud’s Victorian operation in Kerrie.

Palentino won the G1 Australian Guineas at three and G1 Makybe Diva Stakes last spring – the only horse apart from legendary sire Zabeel to achieve the double.

He added a Group 2 in the Blamey Stakes at Flemington last month before bowing out with a creditable fourth in the G1 Doncaster Hcp on Saturday.

“I’m sorry to see him go but I believe he will make a huge impact at Sun Stud,” trainer Darren Weir said.  “He’s just such a striking individual with a great temperament and he just kept rising to the occasion.”

Palentino is by Galileo sire Teofilo who resumed shuttle duties to Darley Australia last year.  He was originally selected as a yearling for $85,000 by John Foote on behalf of Weir at the 2014 Tasmanian Magic Millions.

Leading jockey Mark Zahra is another huge fan of the flashy chestnut.  “He had an explosive turn of foot and you only have to look at the quality of his wins.  He beat Black Heart Bart at the top of his game in the Makybe Diva and he put Tosen Stardom away very quickly in the Blamey.”

PALENTINO