Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Toronado son whips up a storm in Classic Cup
Swettenham Stud’s grand stalwart Toronado (Ire) produced a stunning victory in the Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup on Sunday night, where his son Stormy Grove prevailed to hand trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen his third Classic Cup boilover in eight years.
Despite being sent out paying over $22 to win, the 4-year-old gelding - who was coming off a sharp win over a mile - was taken back from the wide draw and given time to wind up before shooting home around the pack under Harry Bentley, scoring by a solid length over Invincible Ibis (Hellbent). Lor credited the gelding’s natural speed and a strong tempo set for the race as what led to the surprise victory.
“You can see the time, 1:46.62s, it was suitable for him,” Lor described the pace of the 1800-metre event.
“For me, if the pace was suitable for him, I thought he could do the same thing as last time over 1600 metres. Next start is 2000 metres and I think if the pace is also suitable for him, he can do the same thing. If he can settle like today - he settled really good and also the jockey knows the horse - then he can have a very strong finish.”
“If he (Stormy Grove) can settle like today, then he can have a very strong finish (in the Derby).” - Frankie Lor
Bentley has been aboard for all seven of the gelding’s starts in the jurisdiction.
“I’ve liked this horse throughout and I’ve struck up a good partnership with him,” Bentley said. “I was extremely impressed with the way he won last time and had to come into this race with a certain level of expectation and hope, but to do it the way he did was definitely breathtaking. He’s stepped up again and he can do the same again in the Derby.
“This ranks very highly in my wins in Hong Kong, it’s very special.”
“This ranks very highly in my wins in Hong Kong, it’s very special.” - Harry Bentley
Stormy Grove’s owners Lily Chan Li-lei and Marc Chan have paid the HK$140,000 late entry fee for the G1 Hong Kong Derby, which will be run on Sunday, March 22.
Stormy Grove | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Initially a $135,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale graduate from the draft of Collingrove Stud before a Geelong win prompted his export, Stormy Grove is one of five winners out of city-placed Seagrove (Exceed And Excel), who is herself out of a full sister to G1 Australia Stakes winner Hill Of Grace (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and G2 Autumn Classic winner Renewable (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Also the dam of Listed Straight Six-placed Deekay (Hellbent), Seagrove has a yearling filly by North Pacific to come.
Romantic Warrior claims 13th Group 1 in Gold Cup redemption
Danny Shum’s terrific soldier Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) notched a 13th Group 1 victory on Sunday night in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup, two years after he first claimed the race. The 8-year-old continued his march to Hong Kong Triple Crown glory with a decisive four-length win under James McDonald against his five rivals and barely looked tested to the line.
Permitted to stalk the early leaders Beauty Joy (Sebring) and eventual runner-up Ensued (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}), Shum’s gelding cruised around them within the final two furlongs to post another victory.
“It was a small field and he was very fit today, his condition is getting better and better,” said Shum. “I think he’s improved at least 20% from his lead-up race. James said the horse was good. I always say I’m so proud of him - he makes me more money, he makes me more famous, and he makes my dreams. We really look after him.”
“I always say I’m so proud of him (Romantic Warrior) - he makes me more money, he makes me more famous, and he makes my dreams.” - Danny Shum
Having won the first leg of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown with the G1 Stewards’ Cup, Romantic Warrior will next head to the G1 QE II Cup on Champions Day on April 26, 2026 to cement the treble and emulate the feat achieved by Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) in 2025. It was the first Triple Crown victory since 1994.
Shum did not rule out a return to the 1800-metre G1 Saudi Cup next season, having missed it this season in favour of the Triple Crown, but said that his horse is at his best over 2000 metres.
“I don’t know which overseas horses will be coming (for the G1 Champions & Chater Cup) but I think they have a lot of potential,” said Shum of the gelding’s next steps. “I think he will now go to the QE II Cup and then to the Champions & Chater before he finishes the season.
“Maybe next season we will go to the Saudi Cup - we will keep everything open for now.”
Danny Shum with his team | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Romantic Warrior's dam Folk Melody (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}) produced another stakes performer in 2025 with Listed Rushaway Stakes-placed End Of Romance (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}). She has an unnamed New Bay (GB) 2-year-old colt still to come.
Treble for Chau to secure 200 winners
Rising star jockey Jerry Chau Chun-lok secured his 200th Hong Kong win at Sunday’s meeting when riding a treble on the 11-race card. Hugh Bowman was the only other jockey to ride more than one winner at the meeting.
“After I graduated in 2021, everything was more of a challenge and I had to fight for it and at this stage, I’m really happy with 200 winners,” Chau said. “I need to thank the trainers who have supported me and the owners as well. If not for their support, I can’t reach that milestone.”
“If not for their (owners and trainers) support, I can’t reach that milestone.” - Jerry Chau
After missing out on the first race by a short head, Chau guided 3-year-old Chill Partners (Hellbent) to victory in the second on the card for Francis Lui. Chill Partners passed through three Inglis sales, selling first at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale to Riverstone Lodge, B2B Thoroughbreds, and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) for $85,000, then to Aspire Thoroughbreds for $100,000 at the following year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
He was then bought by K Lam Racing and H Yung at the following Inglis Ready 2 Run Sale, and scored his first victory under Chau.
In the sixth race, Chau guided Impending 4-year-old Galactic Voyage to victory by a length and a quarter to give Lui a double on the card. Grant and Alana Williams had purchased the gelding as a yearling from the Western Breeders Alliance’s Magic Millions Perth Winter Yearling Sale draft for $55,000, for whom he won at Ascot before export.
To complete his treble, Chau snagged the last race on the card on Emblazon (Zoustar) for Cody Mo Wai-kit, beating his nearest rival by three quarters of a length. Originally sold at Inglis Premier by Yarraman Park Stud for $100,000, Emblazon was offered at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale by Riversley Park, where he was bought by Jamie Richards Racing and Andrew Williams Bloodstock for NZ$400,000. Emblazon has won five of his six starts so far this season.
Emblazon intends to head to the Derby next, and Chau believes it is within his reach.
“He’s a very, very good horse,” he said. “In the beginning, he didn’t show his heart yet but when he was ready, he’s improved with every race.
“In the beginning, he (Emblazon) didn’t show his heart yet but when he was ready, he’s improved with every race.” - Jerry Chau
“To be honest, I think he can handle the 2000-metre trip because he settles well during the races and never fights with me. I think at 2000 metres, I can still ride him quietly and get a good finish.”
A Dundeel (NZ) half-sister to Emblazon was offered by Twin Hills Stud on the second day of this year’s Inglis Premier sale, where she passed in.
