Invincible Ibis set for December meeting
Last season’s Listed Hong Kong Derby victor and Champion Four-Year-Old and Most Improved Horse Invincible Ibis (Hellbent) returned in style for this campaign. Trainer Mark Newnham had kept his expectations for the 5-year-old’s resumption in Sunday’s G3 Celebration Cup at Sha Tin measured, but the gelding defied everything to bolt home to victory.
In second, a third of a length behind was Galaxy Patch (Wandjina) with Stormy Grove (Toronado {Ire}) in third.
“Truthfully, a little unexpected. I thought at 1400 metres, carrying a little more condition with bigger goals ahead, if he ran a good third or fourth I’d be satisfied. But with a win like that, I’m pretty happy,” Newnham told scmp.com.
“Truthfully, a little unexpected... if he (Invincible Ibis) ran a good third or fourth I’d be satisfied. But with a win like that, I’m pretty happy.” - Mark Newnham
“Luke (Ferraris) just said to me ‘he was probably on empty that last 50m’, but we know he’s very tenacious. When he had such a good run through the race, I’m sure that helped because if he had to do any work, he was probably underdone for that, but Luke gave him a perfect ride.
“When he was able to angle into the clear off the back of Little Paradise, it was just up to horse and rider then and both were good.”
He’ll be set for December’s International meeting but whether it’s the G1 Hong Kong Mile or the G1 Hong Kong Cup over 2000 metres is yet to be decided.
“He’ll race in October and November, so he’ll go to the traditional lead-up races, and then I’ll put an entry in for the mile and the 2000m on international day and just see where he’s best placed at this stage of his career,” Newnham said.
“At the moment I’m thinking of keeping him to a mile. I think a horse that’s lightly raced like him, going to 2000m against all ages at Group 1 level is a fair ask, but the horse will tell me where he’s at.
“If we’re two more runs into the season and he’s showing me he’s not sharp enough for the mile, then we’ve got the option. So, it’s nice to have a horse with enough ability to make those sort of decisions.”
Stablemate and last year’s winner of this race, My Wish (Flying Artie) could also end up in the G1 Hong Kong Mile.
“I think you’ve just got to do what’s best for both horses. We know My Wish is a specialist miler and he’ll definitely go to the mile. I’m sure later in the season we can take Ibis out to 2000m – it’s just a matter of whether it’s in December or later on,” Newnham said.
“I’m sure later in the season we can take Ibis out to 2000m – it’s just a matter of whether it’s in December or later on.” - Mark Newnham
The Hong Kong Jocky Club, presents the winning trophy and silver dishes to Mark Newnham | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Invincible Ibis, who has done all his racing in Hong Kong, took his record to six wins from 12 starts with earnings of HK$26.9 million (AU$4.9 million). Originally sold by Widden Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $80,000, he was bought by Kilgravin Park who pinhooked him at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale. Mark Newnham Bloodstock paid NZ$425,000 for him.
One of 12 stakes winners for Hellbent, whose 3-year-old filly Hawea won Saturday’s G3 Gold Trail Stakes in New Zealand, Invincible Ibis is the fifth and final foal for My Dear Friend (General Nediym). She has produced one other winner, Testifier (Star Witness).
Winner of 11 races including one at Morphettville, My Dear Friend is a half-sister to G1 Greyville Premier’s Champion Stakes victor Harry Son (Haradasun).
Treble for apprentice Nichola Yeun
Apprentice Nichola Yuen celebrated her first treble in Hong Kong when winning aboard Ricky Yiu’s Causeway King (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom), and Pierre Ng-trained pair Victor The Winner (Toronado {Ire}) and Aeroinvincible (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
“I’m very excited. It’s unbelievable. It’s my first treble in Hong Kong and I’m straightaway to seven pounds for the next meeting, so it’s a bit too quick,” Yuen, who is indentured to Ricky Yiu, told hkjc.com. She took her tally to 20 wins in the region.
“Thank you very much to Mr Yiu, he’s been a huge support for me. Now down to seven pounds, my career starts again and hopefully the ball keeps rolling for me.”
“Thank you very much to Mr Yiu, he’s been a huge support for me. Now down to seven pounds, my career starts again and hopefully the ball keeps rolling for me.” - Nichola Yuen
Causeway King, who won twice in New Zealand when named Boombox, celebrated his first Hong Kong victory.
Victor The Winner took his record to nine wins, with the highlight of his career being the 2024 G1 Centenary Sprint Cup.
Double for Per Incanto
New Zealand based sire Per Incanto (USA), whose Jimmysstar (NZ) won Sunday’s G1 Manikato Stakes in Australia, celebrated a double at Sha Tin.
Wave Garden (NZ) won the opening race on the card over 1200 metres to take his record to three wins. He was unbeaten in his first two starts in New Zealand back in 2024 when named Dan Vegas and sent to Hong Kong, but hadn’t found the winner’s circle in 15 starts until Sunday night. Trained by Michael Chang, his win came on the dirt.
A full brother to Group 1 winner Gringotts (NZ), Wave Garden is also a half-brother to stakes placed Millefiori (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) with all being out of unraced Savabeel mare Miss Bluebell (NZ).
Aeroinvincible (NZ) took out the last on the card to give Yeun a treble and his sire a double. The 6-year-old gelding has done all his racing in Hong Kong and was consistent last season with three victories. In total, he has six career wins from 29 starts with earnings over HK$6.5 million (AU$1.2 million).
Liam Howley Racing paid NZ$320,000 for him from Riversley Park’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft in 2022. Wave Garden was passed in from the same draft.
Bustling City bold on dirt
David Hayes-trained Bustling City (Starspangledbanner) romped home on the dirt for a seven-length victory. “He’s a horse that’s always been blessed with good ability,” jockey Brenton Avdulla said.
“Since David has elected to switch him back to the dirt, he’s just gone ‘bang, bang’ and he’s a fast horse, so he’s better when he’s out and flowing. He’s excelling on the surface and he’s going to run out of races if he keeps winning like that.”
The 4-year-old gelding ended last season with a victory, and now has two wins from seven starts with all his racing being done in Hong Kong. He won a juvenile trial in New Zealand in May 2025 prior to his arrival in Hong Kong.
Bustling City was offered at the Inglis Great Southern Sale by Rosemont Stud, where Hallmark Stud paid $75,000 for him. They pinhooked him into the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale where Gary Ling paid NZ$160,000 for him.
He is the second winner for Dolly Fabulous (Toorak Toff) who is an unraced half-sister to Group 1 winner Fashions Afield (Redoute’s Choice). Fashions Afield is the dam of G2 Todman Stakes winner and sire Kiss And Make Up and stakes placed Paris Match (Street Cry {Ire}).
