Literato sold to Godolphin

Godolphin continued its worldwide raids on the best horses in training when it purchased Literato, winner of the Champion Stakes, for what the horse's breeder, Aliette Forien, termed "a big price."

Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum's elite racing operation, announced the transaction Sunday.

Previously owned by France's minister of defense, Herve Morin, Literato, 3, is a 3-year-old French-bred son of Kendor. He was trained by Jean-Claude Rouget when he won four group races at 1 1 /4 miles this year. Before concluding his 2007 campaign in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Newmarket, Literato had taken the Group 3 Prix La Force, the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano and the Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange.

Godolphin's racing manager, Simon Crisford, said that Literato would soon be leaving France for Dubai and is being considered for the Dubai World Cup.