BREEDER Reg Bond has admitted he could be tempted to sell his star mare Forever Bond – but it will cost suitors around £1.5 million, writes Steve Carroll.

The horse, who has produced Group 2 winner Ladies Are Forever and the current Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes favourite and Glorious Goodwood Stewards’ Cup winner Hoof It, has been the target of persistent inquiries from bloodstock agents and Pocklington-based Bond acknowledges he would part with the 11-year-old should the price be right.

A daughter of Danetime, and a half-sister to Group 3 winning sprinter Ratio, Hambleton trainer Bryan Smart paid just 15,500 on behalf of Bond for her at the 2001 DBS St Leger Sale at Doncaster.

She never reached the track but has been a spectacular success at stud.

All of her first five foals have won on a racecourse with the latest, Bop It, taking his second scalp in a Hamilton nursery last Saturday.

Forever Bond has also produced a yearling sister to Hoof It and Ladies Are Forever with Bond, who owns tyre company Bond International, hopeful she can also prove a winner.

One of 12 mares making up the Bond Thoroughbred Corporation, Bond has conceded that, should bloodstock agents meet his valuation, he would be foolish not to cash in on his star horse.

“We have had a few big offers for her,” he said. “I would sell if the price is right.

“If I think I can produce five more horses out of her and get £200,000 for each then if I get bid £1.5 million (for Forever Bond) then I imagine I would sell.

“If we did sell the mare she is also carrying a Monsieur Bond foal and we have got to see yet whether it is a colt or a filly.

“Whatever, they would be a full brother or sister to Hoof It and the same to Ladies Are Forever.”