Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Newnham's Hong Kong Derby
It’s been a meteoric rise for trainer Mark Newnham who arrived in Hong Kong in 2023/24. Last season, his second in the region, he went close to winning the Listed Hong Kong Derby with his first ever runner in the race being My Wish (Flying Artie) who was second to Cap Ferat (Snitzel).
This season, he’s gone one better with Invincible Ibis (Hellbent) flying home to win by a length from Numbers (NZ) (Tivaci) and Stormy Grove (Toronado {Ire}).
The victory was the third in the Derby for jockey Hugh Bowman. Invincible Ibis covered the 2000 metres in 1:59.43.
“Thank you to Mark and the team for preparing this horse in such magnificent order. He really did peak this afternoon. The distance was a query, but he came through with flying colours and gave me the sweetest ride through the whole trip,” said Bowman.
“He (Invincible Ibis) really did peak this afternoon. The distance was a query, but he came through with flying colours and gave me the sweetest ride through the whole trip.” - Hugh Bowman
“We were aided by a good draw but the horse won with authority and I’m so proud to have won my third Hong Kong Derby.”
Hugh Bowman | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Invincible Ibis has done all his racing in Hong Kong and has won five of his 10 starts, for earnings of HK$21 million (AU$3.8 million). In winning his first black type event, he becomes the 11th stakes winner for Hellbent, a son of I Am Invincible, who has had a massive weekend as a sire of sires.
Originally sold by Widden Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $80,000 to Kilgravin Lodge and Waikato Bloodstock, Invincible Ibis went through Kilgravin Lodge’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft. He was purchased by Newnham for NZ$425,000.
Invincible Ibis is the sixth foal of My Dear Friend (General Nediym) who has produced only one other winner, Testifier (Star Witness) who won three times. My Dear Friend was a tough race mare winning 11 times including once at Morphettville. She’s a half-sister to Champion 2YO Male in South Africa in 2013/14 Harry’s Son (Haradasun) who won the G1 Greyville Premier's Champion Stakes, and to stakes placed Henry Of York (Henrythenavigator {Ire}).
Invincible Ibis as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
My Dear Friend’s third dam is G1 Australasian Oaks victrix Miss Clipper (Alert {Ire}), who is the dam of Champion 2YO Filly in South Africa and Group 1 winner Ruby Clipper (Rubiton), who in turn is the dam of Group 1 winner Seventh Rock (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Hot Delight remains unbeaten
Francis Lui-trained 3-year-old gelding Hot Delight (Too Darn Hot {GB}) made it three from three under jockey Vincent Ho in the sixth on the card. The win gave his trainer 500 career victories at Sha Tin, and his second for the day before the Derby had run.
Hot Delight debuted in Hong Kong in mid-January, then following up that debut win with his second in mid-February, and his third win took his earnings over HK$1.69 million (AU$306,000).
The son of Too Darn Hot (GB) was taken to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Attunga Stud who sold him to John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) for $250,000.
One of five winners for Love Somebody (Fastnet Rock), Hot Delight is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Matchmaker (NZ) (Makfi {GB}). Love Somebody has a Per Incanto (USA) yearling filly and a War Decree (USA) filly foal.
The youngsters thrive on the undercard
Three of the first four races on the Hong Kong Derby card at Sha Tin were won by 3-year-olds. Jamie Richards-trained Mega Mastermind (Deep Field) opened proceedings, followed by Cody Mo-trained Absolute Heart (Bivouac) who won on debut, and Francis Lui-trained Gold Patch (NZ) (Ardrossan) who took his record to two wins from three starts.
Debutant winner Absolute Heart was sold privately to Hong Kong after winning a trial at Hawkesbury in June 2025. He’s the third winner from four to race for Folk Song (Street Cry {Ire}) which is the same cross as Bivouac’s G1 Golden Rose winner Beiwacht who is from Street Cry (Ire) mare Metastasio.
Folk Song is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Excitable Boy (More Than Ready {USA}).
