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An interest in Group I ATC Doncaster Handicap winner Brutal (NZ) has been sold to Newgate Farm and partners.

The superstar son of champion sire O’Reilly will stay in training as a four-year-old with the long range intention that he will be retired to stand at Newgate in 2020.

Prepared by Team Hawkes, Brutal annihilated a quality field of two-year-olds by five lengths on debut over 1200 metres at Caulfield and trained on at three to run second to Winx at WFA in the Group I ATC George Ryder Stakes, before winning the $3million Doncaster Handicap at just his seventh race start.

In doing so, Brutal  became the most lightly raced colt in history to win this time-honoured, prestigious event.

Trainer John Hawkes commented, “Brutal is just one of those extra special horses that showed rare talent from day one and to win a Doncaster at just his seventh start is something that only the really exceptional ones can do. We are thrilled he is staying in training because the world is his oyster.”

Newgate’s Henry Field commented that, “With his wonderful genetic makeup and phenomenal dark good looks, he is going to be a bullseye stallion prospect at the end of his racing career.  It is very rare to see Team Hawkes have such confidence in a horse.”

Brutal has already won $2.2 million in winning four races and placing twice in just seven starts, proving an outstanding investment for his original owners who include Rupert Legh.

“We are extremely happy with the deal we have done with Newgate,” said part-owner Rupert Legh.  “We have sold 50% on the agreement that Brutal will race on next season. Our intention is that he will compete in all the major races with the Golden Eagle his target in the spring, however no race is out of the question.”