Victoria Derby placegetter, Kia Ora Koutou, has almost certainly run his last race in Australia.
Trainer Adam Durrant, whose father, Geoff, shares ownership in the three-year-old, said an international offer was too good to refuse.
“Sadly the horse is being sold and we are in negotiations at the moment,” said Durrant on TABradio.
“It’s not something we wanted to do but we had a fair few offers.
“It’s a number you just can’t knock back and at the end of the day we are running a business.
“A fair bit of water has to go under the bridge but at this stage he will be going to Hong Kong.
“Sadly he won’t be coming home but you can’t knock back that sort of money.”
Kia Ora Koutou, a son of Blackfriars, was unbeaten in his four Western Australian starts before tackling last Saturday’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
Although a well beaten third behind Tarzino he proved he was up to the class when he attacked the post strongly after meeting severe interference in the home straight.
“I was really proud of the horse’s performance,” said Durrant.
“He had the wind knocked out of his sails when he had momentum.
“To the horses credit he really savaged the line well.
“It was just disappointing he couldn’t get mobile when he wanted to.
“I’m not saying he would have won, but it would have been interesting to see.”
Kia Ora Koutou has won $319,150 in prizemoney after four wins and one third from five starts.
RWWA: Julio Santarelli