The Green Monkey setting a record in the auction ring (Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com)

THE GREEN MONKEY (Forestry), who sold for a world-record price of $16 million, has been retired and will enter stud in 2009 at Randy Hartley and Dean De Renzo's Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds near Ocala, Florida.

Irish bloodstock agent Demi O'Byrne purchased The Green Monkey after a prolonged bidding duel with John Ferguson, who was representing Sheikh Mohammed, at 2006 Fasig-Tipton Calder Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. At the under tack show, the bay colt worked one furlong in :9 4/5.

Owned by Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, The Green Monkey made three starts as a three-year-old, finishing third once and fourth twice. The Todd Pletcher trainee earned $10,440.

After finishing third in a six-furlong maiden race, The Green Monkey finished fourth in a seven-furlong maiden race at Belmont Park. In what turned out to be his final career start, he finished fourth going 1 1/16 miles on the turf on November 21 at Hollywood Park.

The Green Monkey is the second foal out of the Unbridled mare Magical Masquerade, who is a half-sister to Grade 2 winners Magicalmysterycat (Storm Cat) and Burmilla (Storm Cat). His second dam is multiple Grade 2 winner Nannerl (Valid Appeal).

Hartley and De Renzo originally purchased The Green Monkey for $425,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Select Yearling Sale.

A stud fee will be announced at a later date.