By Daithi Harvey
Dual Group 1 winner Palentino (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}–Palatine Hill {Aus}, by Palace Music {Aus}) has been retired from racing to take up stallion duties at Sun Stud in Victoria. Trained by Darren Weir, Palentino was a top class miler and he proved himself at the highest level when beating Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington in March of last year. He beat another top yardstick in Black Heart Bart (Aus) (Blackfriars {Aus}) when a length too good for that stable-mate in the G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington last September. Weir purchased Palentino as a yearling for A$85,000 and he commented, “He is just such a striking individual. From the moment I laid eyes on him he impressed me; a great temperament and he just kept rising to the occasion. I'm sorry to see him go but I believe he'll make a huge impact at Sun Stud.” Jockey Mark Zahra partnered Palentino on 12 of his 15 runs and he commented, “He had an explosive turn of foot. It takes a very good horse to win over the mile at Flemington and he won two Group Ones and two other black type races there. Palentino ran for the final time when fourth in the G1 Star Doncaster Mile last weekend having previously shown his affinity for Flemington when winning the G2 Incognitus Blamey S. on his penultimate start Mar. 18.
Sun Stud's Danielle Cheng is excited about the 4-year-old's introduction to the stallion ranks. “I'm very happy to be making this announcement because a lot of people have already been ringing and asking when he was going to stud,” Cheng said. “Palentino was a high quality racehorse and the fact he emulated Zabeel in winning the Australian Guineas and Makybe Diva should not be understated.” A covering fee has yet to be announced for Palentino who retired with a race record of 18-5-3 with track earnings of $1,280,810.
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