Il Campione Sold to U.S. Interests

Triple Chilean Group 1 winner Il Campione (Chi) (Scat Daddy) has been sold to U.S. interests and will join the stable of trainer Chad Brown. The purchase price was not disclosed, but rumored to be around $2 million. 
Il Campione, a 3-year-old colt out of the Pleasant Tap mare Global Gold, has lost just twice in his 10-race career; when second in his Group 1 debut in the Alberto Vial Infante as a juvenile, and when losing his rider at the start of the G1 Chilean St. Leger two starts back Dec. 6. Il Campione was crowned the country’s champion 2-year-old and is well on his way to sophomore honors, having won four Group 1s this campaign. With the exception of the St. Leger misfortune, which cost him the Chilean Triple Crown, Il Campione is unbeaten in five starts as a 3-year-old, including the G1 Polla de Potrillos, G1 Nacional Ricardo Lyon, G1 El Ensayo Chilean Derby, G2 Copa Juan S. Jackson S. and most recently the G1 EI Derby by 9 1/4 lengths Feb. 1. 
Sergio Inda, Il Campione’s former trainer, told local press, “A horse of his quality was difficult to retain,” and noted Il Campione’s Chilean team had been invited to the U.S. by the new connections when the colt makes his stateside debut.