Trainer Donnacha O'Brien has corrected reports that his stable star A Boy Named Susie has been sold to Australia for a seven-figure fee.
The Starspangledbanner colt, despite not registering a victory for 12 months, has enjoyed a fruitful campaign, finishing fourth in the French Derby before going close in the Eclipse behind Constitution River.
His Sandown effort -- whilst attracting interest from suitors in Australia -- has not resulted in a sale down under, O'Brien told the Racing Post in a recent interview.
The Tipperary-based handler has registered Group and Grade 1 successes this year with globetrotting sprinter Commanche Brave and three-year-old filly Kensington Lane and is eyeing up further top-level successes this season.
Commanche Brave landed last week's feature July Cup, defeating Mission Central, Venetian Sun and Almeraq, all of whom landed top honours in the sprint ranks at Royal Ascot.
O'Brien has already sent him to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh to race in the past, but is eyeing up further international targets after the four-year-old broke through at Group 1 level.
"Comanche Brave has come out of Newmarket well," he said. "Quick ground is very important to him, so we'll go wherever we get a bit of nice ground, whether that's Haydock or the Curragh for the Flying Five, or possibly the Abbaye later in the year, and then look to the Breeders' Cup in November."
Reports emerging from Australia earlier this week detailed that A Boy Named Susie had been sold to race on in Australia after the Cox Plate, however, O'Brien has confirmed that no such deal has been struck.
"He hasn't been sold. There's been plenty of interest in him since the Eclipse and there have been discussions with various parties but no deal has been done", said O'Brien.
"We've decided to hold on to him for now and we have some big plans for him at the end of the year such as the Breeders' Cup, the Cox Plate and the Irish Champion Stakes.
"It's been a bit disappointing to see various news outlets report on the sale without checking sources or confirming with us."
The Cox Plate will take place at Flemington racecourse this year due to ongoing construction work at its regular home of Moonee Valley and A Boy Named Susie is 12/1 to land the historic race.
