Washington filly to train with Hannon

The only horse ever sired by the late George Washington will go into training with Richard Hannon after she was purchased at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale at Newmarket this evening.

George Washington’s only offspring, a filly carrying her father’s trademark white markings across her nose, was bought by bloodstock agent Ross Doyle for 320,000 guineas.

Doyle said: “She’s a lovely filly, gorgeous and lovely looking. I’m sure the vendor doesn’t want to hear this, but I thought she’d make a little bit more.

“She’s the sort of filly we like – she’s got a lot of substance to her – and she’ll go into training with Richard Hannon. George Washington was a freak and I hope she can be a freak like him.”

George Washington was crowned champion two-year-old in 2005 and was a winner of four Group One races, including the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Having been unsuccessful at Coolmore Stud, the son of Danehill made a dramatic return to the track, but died in action during the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The filly, out of the mare Flawlessly, was bought by Irish horse trader Gerry Burke, of Glidawn Stud, for €280,000 last year at Goffs November Sale.

She was born at the Irish National Stud on February 4, 2008 and was the most expensive foal sold in Ireland during the same year.

In total, George Washington covered 56 mares before he was withdrawn from stud duty in March 2007, having proved sub-fertile.