Cambridge Stud have secured the majority share in unbeaten Wakefield Challenge Stakes winner Not An Option.
Majority share secured in unbeaten colt. Cambridge Stud have secured the majority share in unbeaten Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Group 2) winner Not An Option. The son of Not A Single doubt will continue to be trained by Tony Pike.
"Not An Option is arguably the most naturally gifted juvenile we have had anything to do with. His potential is largely untapped. I am delighted to have Brendan and Jo joining the ownership team, and they have now become an integral part of this horse's future," said Pike.
The existing owners, including Haunui Farm, Raffles Farm as well as some of Pike's long standing clients, have retained a shareholding in the horse.
A NZ$240,000 Karaka National Yearling Sale Book 1 purchase by Pike Racing from the draft of Curraghmore, Not An Option is out of Group 1 placed Savabeel mare Chintz. She is out of O'Reilly mare Charmed, who is also the dam of Auckland Cup (Group 1) winner Chenille.
"He was an outstanding individual at the sale. He was late in the sale and I was doubtful that I would be able to purchase him. I have to thank the members of the syndicate as he was at the top of my list and I had to convince them to spend a bit more to get him. He has continued to impress as an individual through the early stages of his two-year-old season, and he has a great temperament to match his good looks," said Pike.
Cambridge Stud CEO, Henry Plumptre, said: "Given the degree of difficulty in purchasing a 2-year-old with a similar profile in Australia, we are very pleased to be able to purchase a majority shareholding in a colt like Not An Option. He ticks a lot of boxes as he has a very strong pedigree. His sire is one of the top five stallions in Australia and he is an outstanding individual."
Not An Option won on debut over 800 metres at Pukekohe in September. Resuming from a spell, he landed the Wakefield Challenge Stakes on 7 December by one and a quarter lengths.