The Green Monkey Stabled at Churchill Downs

Triple Crown candidates won't be the only famous horses at Churchill Downs this spring. The Green Monkey, who sold for the world record price of $16 million earlier this year, arrived at trainer Todd Pletcher's Churchill barn Friday.

"We don't really have a schedule," Pletcher 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."

Irish agent Demi O'Byrne purchased the Forestry -- Magical Masquerade colt on the behalf of John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith at the Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training at Calder Race Course. Randy Hartley and Dean De Renzo consigned him to the auction after purchasing him for $425,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July select yearling sale.

The Green Monkey's $16-million price eclipsed the previous record bid of $13.1 million for Seattle Dancer at the Keeneland July Sale in 1985.

"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.