Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The All Out wins first Griffin race
The first Griffin race of the season in Hong Kong – for Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds and Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds – was won by Jamie Richards-trained 2-year-old gelding The All Out (NZ) (Brutal {NZ}) over Dennis Yip-trained 3-year-old gelding Quick Money (GB) (Land Force {Ire}) with Michael Chang-trained 2-year-old gelding Babieca (Pierata) in third.
“I would have liked to see him win a little easier, but a win’s a win. He’s got more improvement to come – he’s a big, strong horse and he’ll improve with more racing,” Richards told scmp.com.
“It didn’t go exactly to plan, he got a bit softened up in front and the horse that ran second got an easy time of it and was going to be strong late after trialling well at Conghua earlier in the week. But The All Out’s got more scope for improvement yet, so hopefully he can go on with the job.”
Sold by Cambridge Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$150,000 to Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock, The All Out is the second juvenile winner for Newgate Farm stallion Brutal (NZ)’s second crop with the first being G3 TL Baillieu Stakes winner Nepotism who likely runs in Saturday’s G1 Champagne Stakes.
The All Out is the third foal of four-race winner Sistabeel (Savabeel) whose first foal 5-eyar-old gelding Superstock (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is a last start winner at Moonee Valley at the end of March for trainers Mark and Levi Kavanagh. She has an unraced 3-year-old gelding Globalist (So You Think {NZ}), a yearling colt by Hello Youmzain (Fr) who Cambridge Stud sold for NZ$40,000 this year, and a colt foal by Armory (Ire).
Sistabeel’s dam Ametsis (Redoute’s Choice) ran fourth in the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes and is a half-sister to Group 3 placed Dance On Wood (Woodman {USA}), dam of two Listed winners in South Africa.
Treble for Chung
Jockey Angus Chung achieved his first treble at Sha Tin on Sunday aboard Tony Cruz-trained pair of Parents’ Love (Deep Field) and Gustosisimo (Exceed And Excel), and Francis Lui-trained 4-year-old gelding Divano (Brave Smash {Jpn}). “I’ve got a treble at Happy Valley before but never Sha Tin – always a double,” Chung told hkjc.com.
“I spoke to Divano’s owner (Chen Chun Man) and the trainer many, many times about this horse (Divano). I’ve been looking to ride the horse for a while and I’m glad I got the opportunity. He could take a sit today. It was the same as the Class 2 (Gustosisimo) with two horses going quick and benefiting me. I could sit behind both times. It’s great to get a chance on good horses. Today is a success.”
Chung won last season’s Tony Cruz Award winner as Hong Kong’s leading homegrown jockey. Divano took his record to five wins from 14 starts with earnings over HK$9 million (AU$1.9 million). He was sold by Erinvale Stud as a weanling for $57,500 to J Carey and on-sold by Newgate Farm at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to Ryan and Alexiou Racing and D Raphael for $90,000.
“I think he keeps improving little by little. He’s more relaxed and once he relaxes, he can have a good turn of foot. In the (Hong Kong) Classic Mile, I think he learnt from that race,” Lui said of Divano who ran second to My Wish (Flying Artie) in the Listed Classic Mile four starts ago.
Chris So achieves 400 winners and a double
The exciting 4-year-old gelding Hong Lok Golf (Grunt {NZ}) gave trainer Chris So his 400th career winner on Sunday when taking his record to four wins from five starts. So began as a work rider in 1997 in Hong Kong, then worked as assistant trainer to Caspar Fownes for 10 years from 2003 until taking out his own trainer’s licence in 2013/14. “It’s good to celebrate. 12 seasons, 400 wins – not bad,” So said.
Chris So | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“(Hong Lok Golf) is a good horse. (Harry Bentley) said we need to step up (to a mile). I said ‘I think we try to win one more 1400 metres and then step up next time’. He never gave up and when Zac’s horse was coming I thought ‘oh no’, but my horse when under the whip, he still kept going. It was an impressive win. It seems like he’ll keep improving and he seems like a good horse. We’ll try our best to push where the limit is.”
Hong Lok Golf has only raced in Hong Kong and was a $60,000 purchase from Yulong by John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. He is the third foal of unraced Sky Island (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) whose has 3-year-old and 2-year-old fillies by Alabama Express, and a yearling by Lucky Vega (Ire). Her first foal is winning mare Madrean (Frankel {GB}). Sky Island is a half-sister to dual G2 Royal Ascot Hardwicke Stakes winner Maraahel (Ire) (Alzao {USA}).
So’s double came earlier on the card with Zac Purton ridden 3-year-old gelding With A Smile (Merchant Navy). “I think he keeps improving. The last time after 1200 metres (when third), Zac told me ‘maybe step him up’ and I said ‘name me the date, I’ll make him available for you’. I think he needs further but we’ll take it step by step. Sometimes when they step up straight away, the horse won’t perform. That’s been my experience.”
Sold at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale by Landsdowne Park for NZ$100,000 to Patrick Payne, With A Smile placed at the trials before heading to Hong Kong where this was his maiden win from four starts. He is the first foal of Listed Gore Guineas-placed Dreamtesta (NZ) (Testa Rossa) who has a yearling filly by Proisir and a filly foal by Profondo. Dreamtesta’s second dam is Group 1 winner Portland Singa (NZ) (Danasinga), the second dam of this year’s G1 NZ Derby winner Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}).
Renovations unveiled
The Hong Kong Jockey Club unveiled their newly renovated Racing Talent Training Centre (RTTC) training stable at Sha Tin on Friday. “Ever since it opened in 2008, the RTTC stable has been fundamental to talent development at the club,” Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told scmp.com.
“It represents our commitment to nurturing the very best talent and to achieving the highest standards of equine management and care – all of which are essential to our world-class racing. This commitment goes back to the establishment of the Apprentice Jockey School in 1972.
“World-class champion trainers Tony Cruz, Francis Lui and Ricky Yiu are all graduates from the school. Others, such as Matthew Chadwick, Vincent Ho, Derek Leung and Matthew Poon, are currently pursuing highly successful careers in the saddle.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges cuts the ribbon to officially open the refurbished Racing Talent Training Centre stable | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“No less essential is the daily care and management of racehorses. Recognising this, in 2005 the club established the Racing Development Board, which in 2022 was rebranded as the Racing Talent Training Centre. Over the past two decades, the RTTC has provided vocational and skills training to non-riding professionals. Many have gone on to enjoy highly successful careers as assistant trainers, head lads, stable assistants, farriers, and in many other roles.
“I sincerely hope every trainee who benefits from its outstanding facilities will go on to enjoy a fulfilling and successful career with the club. I hope they will join with us to take Hong Kong’s world-class racing to even greater heights of excellence.”
Charity announcement
The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Sunday evening that it’s Charities Trust has committed HK$1.4 billion (AU$286 million) to support five youth development initiatives to coincide with the Club’s 140 year anniversary.
The announcement formed a key part of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Day at Sha Tin which was attended by over 200 charity and community representatives. Officiating were HKSAR Government Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak, Club Chairman Michael Lee, Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao and Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Michael Lee, Alice Mak and Martin Liao announce five youth development initiatives | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“As a not-for-profit sports and charity organisation rooted in Hong Kong for 140 years, the Club has a unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong. Under the banner “With You. Then. Now. Always.” the Club is organising a series of celebratory initiatives to mark its 140th Anniversary and to recognise Hong Kong people’s contribution to its mission, which is to act continuously for the betterment of society,” said the club in a press release.
