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Romantic Warrior Front and Centre In Hong Kong Gold Cup

Seven times has Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) gone to post over the 2000 metres at Sha Tin Racecourse and on six of those occasions, he has proved victorious, more times than not in convincing fashion. His lone blemish over the course and distance came in the 2023 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, when he was run down close home by multiple Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) as the odds-on pop, but barring something unforeseen, Romantic Warrior should be righting that wrong against 10 others in this year's Gold Cup Sunday afternoon.

It has been a carefully managed season thus far for Romantic Warrior, who likely was in need of the run when fourth in the G1 Turnbull S. in Melbourne before just prevailing in the G1 Cox Plate three weeks later. Despite a six-week turnaround and a period of quarantine once returning from Australia, Romantic Warrior outlasted the nails-tough Luxembourg (Ire) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup Dec. 10.

A victory Sunday would complete the set of Hong Kong features over the mile and a quarter, which also includes the 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby and last year's G1 FWD QE II Cup. He would join the likes of Vengeance of Rain (NZ) and Designs On Rome (Ire) should he do so.

“He's very good. He's happy, healthy and in good form. Hugh Bowman gave a very positive report to me,” said trainer Danny Shum following a Tuesday gallop on the grass. James McDonald will be in from Australia for the ride.

The Kiwi was aboard Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) when he registered a maiden Group 1 success in the Stewards' Cup going a mile Jan. 21 and stretches back out to 10 furlongs for the first time since causing a 45-1 upset in last year's Hong Kong Derby. A good performance could lead to an appearance in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan in five weeks' time.

Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) took advantage of Romantic Warrior's absence to defeat Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup in November and was a troubled fourth, beaten under a length, in the Hong Kong Cup. The 5-year-old returns to level weights after carrying 135 pounds to a third-place effort behind Nimble Nimbus (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and Five G Patch (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the G3 Centenary Vase H. Feb. 4.

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Lord North Treads A Familiar Path

It is the G3 Winter Derby, so it must be time for the return from hibernation of the Clarehaven stalwart and late-winter specialist Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Gearing up for his attempt at a fourth consecutive G1 Dubai Turf, the 8-year-old will be reunited with Robert Havlin who has partnered him in the last two editions of this prize formerly staged over 10 furlongs at Lingfield. Now at Southwell with an extra furlong added on, it will represent a different test for the high-class veteran whose probable limit is a mile and a quarter.

“We think he is where he was this time last year before the Winter Derby–working slightly better than the year before, when he was second to Alenquer,” Havlin said. “Lord North is an eight-year-old now and takes a bit of getting fit, but he seems to be bright in himself. From a fitness perspective, he will improve as he always needs this first run to get all the lights switched on, but he is the class act and we are expecting a big run.”

“He is quite an uncomplicated horse, as he relaxes into a race and it is up to you when to press the button. His optimum trip is probably nine furlongs given his record in the Dubai Turf, but he has run well over a mile and a half at the Breeders' Cup.”

While Godolphin's Listed Lingfield Derby Trial winner Military Order (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) failed to go on after that promising performance last May, the now-gelded full-brother to Adayar (Ire) showed form strong enough to be a major player here when second in the course-and-distance Winter Derby Trial Conditions S. in January. Possibly more attuned to the greater stamina test than Lord North, he represents a worthy rival alongside Prince Faisal's long-absent Eydon (Ire) (Olden Times {GB}) who is seen for the first time since finishing fourth in the 2022 G1 2000 Guineas.

“Military Order has definitely come forward since his last start,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “He ticks a couple of boxes in that he has run well already this year over the track and trip. He should be a big player based on the pick of his three-year-old form and what he achieved in the trial.”

Ted Voute, racing manager to Prince Faisal, said of Eydon, “Andrew [Balding] has been pleased with him and was pleased with his gallop at Kempton. It's a pretty even field and they are all rated around the same figures apart from Lord North and we will see.”

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Colin Bowe’s Korkoran Tops Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale

Colin Bowe, who has blooded top-notchers like Samcro, Envoi Allen and more, topped the one-day Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale with Ballinaboola point-to-point winner Korkoran (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}) (lot 26) fetching £240,000 to Ed Bailey Bloodstock on behalf of trainer Harry Derham.

Korkoran's win came in the same maiden won by two-time Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 winner and Tattersalls Cheltenham February graduate Envoi Allen, who is aiming for a repeat victory in next month's Ryanair Chase.

Now an eight-time Grade 1 winner, Envoi Allen was owned as a young horse by pinhooker and consignor Walter Connors, also the producer of Korkoran.

He said, “Seamus Murphy bought Korkoran privately for me as a foal. It is a wonderful family and we have for a long time hoped to get one from that stud farm.

“We have been fond of him all along, and the sire needs no introduction. He is a middle of May foal and we thought he would not run until April, but he has come to hand earlier than expected. Colin has done a great job and we are lucky he keeps a couple of boxes for us each year.”

Derham, who took out his trainer's licence last year, was in the news earlier this month when spending close to €500,000 on smart chasing prospect Imagine and talented race mare Mollys Mango at the Caldwell Dispersal, was visibly delighted to bag another big-priced recruit to his yard.

He said, “Ed has been following this horse for a long time, he is back and forth to Ireland all the time. The horse is a beautiful model, a good athlete and to have done this so early in his career, the type of horse he is, strikes us that he must be pretty smart – to be performing to that level already would bode pretty well. You look at him and think what a horse you will be in two years' time.”

Of the horse's owner, Derham outlined, “He is for Ian Barratt, a new owner to me and who is wanting to develop real high-class team of horses both for the Flat and National Hunt codes–he owns the Jamie Osborne-trained Emaraaty Ana who won in Qatar last weekend. Jamie recommended me, which was very nice of him. Ian and his family are really enthusiastic, let's hope they are lucky.”

The Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale produced a solid afternoon's trade which saw 34 horses sold for an aggregate of £2,469,500 with a strong clearance rate of 89%.

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Derby Museum To Honor D. Wayne Lukas With Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

Edited Press Release

The Kentucky Derby Museum has named Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas as the inaugural recipient of the Kentucky Derby Museum's Lifetime Achievement Award. With Lukas in attendance at the Derby 150 Birthday Tribute Dinner, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 11 at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Lukas has achieved remarkable success, including four GI Kentucky Derby victories. His unparalleled dedication to the sport and influence on countless individuals in the racing community make him a deserving recipient of the Museum's first award.

In response to the announcement, Lukas shared his appreciation, saying, “I am deeply honored to receive the Kentucky Derby Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with incredible horses and talented individuals. Looking back, I get the greatest satisfaction from seeing the young people, who have been with me through thick and thin, come through our program and achieve their own great successes. The Kentucky Derby Museum has been instrumental in documenting and sharing the joy of racing with the world, and I extend my sincere thanks to the Museum for this prestigious honor.”

Entrance to the Kentucky Derby Museum | Kentucky Derby Museum

Patrick Armstrong, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum expressed his gratitude for Lukas' significant contributions, stating, “D. Wayne Lukas is a true icon in horse racing, and his legacy is woven into the fabric of the Kentucky Derby. We are honored to recognize his unparalleled achievements and lasting impact with the first-ever Kentucky Derby Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. His support for the Museum has been invaluable, and we are thrilled to celebrate his remarkable career.”

Attendees will also be the first to watch the premiere of a brand-new Derby 150 film, “Down The Stretch,” which will play in conjunction with the Museum's feature, “The Greatest Race”, through 2024.

Click here for more information.

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