Host, a grade I winner for owner Eugene Melnyk, has been bought by an Australian group that will stand him at stud. Since the transfer won't take place until February, Host may continue to race for Melnyk Racing Stables.
Host was a champion in his native Chile before his arrival in the U.S. in 2003. He has captured four stakes on these shores, including the 2005 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (gr. IT) and the 2004 Knickerbocker (gr. IIT) and Tropical Turf (gr. IIIT) Handicaps. He ran unplaced in this year's running of the Tropical Turf Dec. 1 in what was his first race for new trainer Tom Albertrani, who took over from Todd Pletcher.
Bred by Haras De Pirque, Host has won or placed in 18 of 26 races and earned $1,076,408. He ran in the 2005 and '07 NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), and although unplaced, he was beaten just three lengths in one running and 2 3/4 lengths in the other.
Out of the stakes-winning Roy mare Colonna Traiana, Host is by Hussonet, who stands at Arrowfield Stud in Australia. He has sired more than 100 stakes winners.
Byron Rogers, who once worked for Arrowfield, is a member of the partnership that purchased Host. He currently serves as director of stallion operations at Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville, Ky.
