The Green Monkey Arrives at Churchill Downs

The Green Monkey, the most expensive sales purchase in racing history, arrived at trainer Todd Pletcher's Churchill Downs' barn Friday.

The 2-year-old colt was bought for $16 million by Michael Tabor, John Magnier and Derrick Smith at the Fasig-Tipton Calder sale Feb. 28.

Pletcher says it's anyone's guess as to when the expensive colt will be ready to make his racing debut.

"We don't really have a schedule," he said. "We just got him in and he hasn't really been doing too much since the sale. We'll just take it day by day and get him into a steady program and let him tell us when he's ready."

The son of Forestry is named for a golf course at the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados.

The sales price eclipsed the previous record bid of $13.1 million for Seattle Dancer at the Keeneland July Sale in 1985. Pletcher, winner of the last two Eclipse Awards as America's top trainer, has never had a young horse quite like this one in his stable.

"I would say he's certainly the most anticipated arrival we've ever had," said Pletcher. "It goes without saying that we'll be under a lot more scrutiny with a horse like that, but at the end of the day you've got to treat him like the rest of them. Otherwise, you'll drive yourself crazy."

To purchase a photo of The Green Monkey, click here.