Sheikh Joann al Thani Purchases DWC Hope Planteur

Planteur (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), third to Monterosso (GB) (Dubawi {Ire} in last year's G1 Dubai World Cup, has been acquired by Sheikh Joann al Thani ahead of a return trip to Dubai, the TDN's sister publication Jour de Galop reports. “Sheikh Joann wants to run in the Dubai World Cup with a good horse,” bloodstock agent Nicolas de Watrigant told JDG. “Planteur finished third in the race last year, even though he hadn't run since September 2011. His trainer Marco Botti thinks he is even better than he was in 2012.” Planteur tuned up for the World Cup with a victory in Lingfield's Winter Derby Trial S. Feb. 23, setting a track record in the process.