Just days after Mainland Banner's loss to New Zealand racing, the first horse to beat her is also departing.
Molly Darling, still the only filly or mare to have won a race with Mainland Banner in it, has been sold to the United States. Not only did shebeat the southern star in the Nevele R Fillies Final as a 3-year-old but she also won the Breeders Crown and Caduceus Club Classic as a juvenile.
She was retired to stud last month but failed to get in foal to Bettors Delight and will now return to the track.
Molly Darling has been sold to US-based owner Joe Muscara, who has purchased planeloads of horses from New Zealand in the past decade.
She will head to the US where she will race before embarking on a breeding career.
"She was a great filly and mare and we loved having her so it will be a little sad to say goodbye," said trainer and part-owner Brent Mangos.
With Mainland Banner, Molly Darling and the injured Alta Serena all off the scene, Australian-based mare Foreal and the best mares in tonight's Queen Of Hearts should fight it out for the NZ pacing mare of the year honours.
