Group 1 Host colt Philippi has been sold to continue his career in Hong Kong.

Philippi (3c Host – Soorena by Encosta De Lago) is a homebred for Gilgai Farm owner Rick Jamieson and he was last seen finishing second to Kiwi champion It’s A Dundeel in the G1 Australian Derby at Randwick.

Swettenham Stud sire Host (Chi) is one of Australia’s leading second-season stallions with 23 individual winners to date.  Philippi is his divisional leader with earnings of $626,550.

The Mick Kent trained colt was unbeaten in three starts during a spring campaign that culminated with a Listed victory in the UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington in October.

He graduated to Group 2 company in March when runner-up to Hvasstan in the Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.  That result is subject to a Racing Victoria enquiry after the winner returned positive pre and post-race swabs to the anti-inflammatory Ibuprofen.

Philippi travelled to Sydney for a three-length victory in the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill in his final trial for the Australian Derby.  There had been an initial offer from Hong Kong prior to that win but it fell through at the eleventh-hour.

Leading agent Dermot Farrington, who brokered this week’s deal, has always been a Philippi fan.  “It’s rare to find a horse that looks as good as this fellow.  He was a paddock mate of All Too Hard as yearling at Gilgai Farm and we always rated him an equal on conformation.  They were a long way ahead of the rest.”

Rick Jamieson has been a staunch supporter of Host and he has a brother to Philippi on the ground at Gilgai Farm.

Host (Hussonet) will stand for a $9,900 (inc gst) service fee at Swettenham in 2013.