Romantic Warrior's nose defeat of a never-say-die Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) came just 43 days after his landmark victory in the G1 W. S. Cox Plate in Melbourne, and trainer Danny Shum is focused on not squeezing the lemon dry.

“He looks great, but I feel he will be a little bit tired because it was a hard run, both two races were very hard. He'll have a short break now,” Shum said. “He'll have enough time to recover if we go to the Gold Cup next–2000 metres is his trip, I think that's a better idea. He's easy to train but he won both of those two races with his fighting heart, he uses a lot of energy. I have to look after him because he uses himself a lot, it's better to give him a bit of a break and go again.”

Romantic Warrior has six wins from seven starts over the Sha Tin 2000 metres, his lone blemish coming when beaten by Golden Sixty in last year's Gold Cup. With earnings of nearly HK$120 million, Romantic Warrior is just the third horse to surpass HK$100 million, along with Golden Sixty and Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}).

The post Romantic Warrior To Skip Stewards’ Cup, HK Gold Cup Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Twice Hong Kong's Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation will return to Sha Tin Racecourse  – the scene of all of his extraordinary career highlights – for one final appearance before flying to Australia for a life of retirement at Living Legends in Melbourne.

The New Zealand-bred gelding, who was crowned Hong Kong Champion Miler an unmatched three times, won 18 races from 34 starts in Hong Kong and earned HK$106,233,750, making him the highest-ever prize money earner in Hong Kong history.

The eight-year-old, who finished his racing career with a gallant fifth behind Golden Sixty in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile on 13 December, bows out with eight G1 triumphs, five G2 successes and three G3 wins.

Additionally, he holds two course records at Sha Tin over 1,600 meters and 2,200 meters, having also once posted the fastest 1,400 meter time at the track. No horse in the history of Hong Kong racing has more wins in a single season than Beauty Generation, who posted eight wins through 2018-19.

Owner Patrick Kwok said: “Beauty Generation is the horse of a lifetime. He was a champion and we are indebted to the great bravery and determination which allowed him to scale the greatest heights.

“His many G1 wins, track records and horse of the year accolades serve as a worthy measure of his phenomenal qualities.

“We have been privileged and blessed by our association with a truly wonderful horse who has been cared for so brilliantly by John Moore, David Hayes, Zac Purton, Derek Leung as well as the stable staff. We are also honoured to own such a great horse that contributed in cementing Hong Kong racing on the world stage.

“We would also like to thank all the fans who support Beauty Generation from Hong Kong and overseas.”

“We farewell Beauty Generation with immense gratitude and a pledge to visit him eventually in his new home at Living Legends in Melbourne.”

John Moore – who is also soon bound for Australia – said: “Any horse who can go from 1,400 meters to 2,200 meters and break a track record must have a lot of ability because champions like him can do it over short and long,” Moore said.

“His toughness, his fighting spirit but he was a very sound horse – I don't even remember times when I had to go in with the vet, he was such a sound champion and that was one of his biggest assets – it held him in good stead throughout his career.”

Beauty Generation achieved the equal-highest international rating for a Hong Kong horse, joint at 127 along with Able Friend on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. He was allotted that mark in both 2018 and 2019 and was honoured as the world's leading specialist turf miler in both years.

Zac Purton, who will be on hand to say goodbye to Beauty Generation, remains in awe of the great champion's performance against an all-star cast of international G1 winners from Japan, Great Britain, Australia and Hong Kong in the 2018 G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.

“He's the special one really, every jockey hopes that a horse like him comes along in their career and luckily for me he has and I've enjoyed the ride – he was a wonderful horse,” Purton said.  “There's many highlights but if I had to pick one, I'd say it was his 2018 Hong Kong Mile win, he drew a wide gate, they made him work into the first corner and it was a very strong field – Vivlos, as well as a number of other runners were in the race and he won by three lengths eased down.”

The ceremony will be broadcast during Sha Tin's prestige meeting on Sunday, 24 January which features the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m) – a race Beauty Generation won in 2019 – as well as the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and Hong Kong Classic Mile.

The post Hong Kong Favorite Beauty Generation To Retire In Special Ceremony At Sha Tin Jan. 24 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Twice crowned Hong Kong's Horse of the Year, the New Zealand-bred gelding was also named Champion Miler a record three times. Beauty Generation ends his career with 18 Hong Kong wins from 34 starts and prize-money earnings of HK$106,233,750, making him the highest-ever earner in Hong Kong history.

Trained by John Moore for each of his 18 wins (in Hong Kong) – a record he shares with Silent Witness and Super Win – the brilliant son of Road To Rock achieved eight Group 1 triumphs, as well as five Group 2 victories and three Group 3s.

Beauty Generation holds two course records at Sha Tin Racecourse, 1600m and 2200m, and at one stage he held the fastest 1400m time. He also owns the single season wins record, an unbeaten eight successes through his 2018/19 campaign.

“Any horse who can go from 1400m to 2200m and break a track record must have a lot of ability because champions like him can do it over short and long,” Moore said.

A superstar with a high cruising speed, his trademark on-pace style saw him simply run his rivals into the ground. At his peak he achieved the equal highest international rating for a Hong Kong horse, joint at 127 along with Able Friend on the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings. He was allotted that mark in both 2018 and 2019 and was honoured as the world's leading specialist miler in both years.

“His toughness, his fighting spirit but he was a very sound horse – I don't even remember times when I had to go in with the vet, he was such a sound champion and that was one of his biggest assets – it held him in good stead throughout his career,” Moore said.

Beauty Generation will be retired to Living Legends in Melbourne, Australia.

Beauty Generation's second G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile success in 2018 saw the then six-year-old reach a world peak, an international rating of 127 after Zac Purton guided him to an imperious three-length success against an all-star cast of international G1 winners from Japan, Great Britain, Australia and Hong Kong.

“He just made a mockery of that field in the 2018 Hong Kong Mile, Vivlos was a Group 1 winner in Dubai and it just showed how good Beauty Generation was on his day – he was just unbeatable,” Moore said.

Purton is one of three jockeys to have paired with the champ in Hong Kong and was in the plate for 15 of his wins, including his astonishing second Hong Kong Mile victory.

“He's the special one really, every jockey hopes that a horse like him comes along in their career and luckily for me he has and I've enjoyed the ride – he was a wonderful horse,” Purton said.

The four-time champion jockey paired with Beauty Generation for all but three of his Hong Kong wins, and is in agreement with Moore.

“There's many highlights but if I had to pick one, I'd say it was his 2018 Hong Kong Mile win, he drew a wide gate, they made him work into the first corner and it was a very strong field – Vivlos, as well as a number of other runners were in the race and he won by three lengths eased down.”

“He smashed them, you don't see horses beat a quality field in the manner that he did, so for me that was his best performance,” Purton said.

Such was Beauty Generation's indomitability at his peak, he started at 1.5 or shorter for nine consecutive runs between November 2018 and November 2019, a period which included four of his G1 scores.

“His greatest asset was his ability to bully the field and bash them up the way he did, he used to carve out great sectionals and just sustain that gallop, and it was a special feeling when you were riding him.

“When he was at his best, I just felt like he was invincible – I used to love walking to the races turning up knowing I had him to ride, I just let him do his thing it was great – I certainly enjoyed it,” Purton said.

Beauty Generation was born on Sept. 27, 2012 at Highden Stud in Palmerston North on New Zealand's North Island, he arrived as a foal, bay in colour with four white socks and a white blaze, by Road to Rock out of Stylish Bel.

He was sold through the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale for NZ$60,000 and after being broken in at Wellfield Lodge, Beauty Generation, then known as Montaigne, was sent to race in Australia under the care of trainer Anthony Cummings.

“He surprised me, his form with Anthony Cummings in Australia was very good but his pedigree wasn't blue blood although the talent was there – George (Moore) bought very well,” Moore said.

On account of Moore Bloodstock and chosen by George Moore – John's son – the new recruit shipped to Hong Kong to race in the prominent pink and black silks of the Kwok family, owned by son Patrick.

“I thought Beauty Only (2016 Hong Kong Mile winner) was very good but then Beauty Generation came along and it was just so special for the family – we love horse racing,” said Patrick Kwok.

Beauty Generation was competitive against Australia's top three-year-olds at the time, logging a runner-up effort to dual G1 winner Tarzino in the 2016 G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

“Beauty Generation was targeted to the Hong Kong Derby initially but as time went on, he told us what the more appropriate distance was so we brought him back in trip,” Moore said.

He would go on to own the mile at Sha Tin Racecourse, the champ simply dominated it, and he also had no issue dipping down to 1400m, proving his versatility with back-to-back G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup victories.

“When I looked at his physique, I thought he was a powerful individual and I thought we have to look at him going around a mile and that just took him to the next level.

“When we just concentrated on the 1400m to the mile – it was the telling point with respect to the champion that he leaves us as – with icon status,” Moore said.

Zac Purton paired with Beauty Generation for the entirety of his first campaign, which culminated with a weakening eighth in the 2017 G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m).

“I never did [think he could be that good], he caught me out a little bit, I said to the owners early on that I didn't even think he was a Group horse, he was struggling in class races and restricted races.

“But like a lot of horses in Hong Kong it just takes them a little bit of time to adapt and to acclimatise,” Purton said.

Acclimatise he did, and four runs later in his second campaign, following a first-up G3 and second-up G2 success he scored his first win at the top-level in the 2017 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile under local ace Derek Leung.

“I thought he had a chance – I knew his fitness was good, he was very consistent and he was still improving at that stage,” Leung said.

“I tried to lead softly and he did what I wanted him to do and won the race – it was a special moment with the crowd – I owe a big thank you to the trainer and owner for their support,” Leung added.

Beauty Generation's brilliance came with quirks and eccentricities; a love for Polo Mints and carrots, as well as a fiery attitude or rather an arrogance, which his mafoos (stable assistants) and work riders felt the brunt of firsthand.

“Before I became his mafoo I already knew that he liked to bite people, so I was a bit scared at the very beginning, but I figured out how to take care of him and his temperament did improve as he got older,” said mafoo Lau Wai Kit.

“His box manners were terrible, I think they're going to struggle a little bit in Australia with him for the first few weeks, he bites, kicks and rears up – it's his home, you don't go in his home,” said regular work rider Romain Clavreul.

The trio was a comforting sight at Sha Tin trackwork every morning and a formidable team, Lau was to his side, while Clavreul sat calmly atop the cocksure bay.

But along with John Moore and big-race pilot Zac Purton, the two played an important role in Beauty Generation's day-to-day training, well-being, and race day excellence.

“I have been very lucky to take care of him, just by sheer luck I received the chance to be his mafoo in his second season in Hong Kong, that was when he started to shine in the Hong Kong racing circle,” said Lau.

“His victory in the 2017 Hong Kong Mile under Derek Leung brought me the most emotional and unforgettable moment, tears almost came out on that occasion.

“It was the most glorious moment for me in my career of taking care of horses after doing so for so many years,” he added.

Clavreul remains besotted with the eight-time Group 1 winner. The Frenchman developed a strong bond with the sometimes vicious and vivacious galloper who he describes as his 'best friend'.

“He's been a bit like my best friend for the last three years – he's been life changing, I feel very blessed and lucky to have been able to ride a horse like him – he was definitely something special and I'm going to miss him a lot,” Clavreul said.

The sentiment was shared by Lau, who will bid his friend goodbye after over three years by his side.

“He was a bit naughty in the stables, but he was a different horse when he stepped onto the track to race. He was very settled on race day and very professional – he knew what to do on race day,” said Lau.

They worked well together, Beauty Generation's record speaks for itself and seven-time champion trainer John Moore lauded his team's tireless efforts behind the scenes.

“With my wife, we put together the stable and the staff to reach a team that I would call as good as it gets in Hong Kong – that was a key factor in getting these horses, like Beauty Generation to the level that they got to,” said Moore.

Beauty Generation's form slipped after his 10-win streak came to an end, the champ who was unbeaten for over 18 months had his colours lowered in the 2019 G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (1600m), the first of four consecutive defeats.

His winning spark reignited with a third consecutive G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup success, but his aura of invincibility had waned and his sheer brilliance was missing.

He entered his final campaign with a new handler following the mandatory retirement of John Moore, joining the stable of dual Hong Kong champion trainer David Hayes, who returned to Hong Kong this season following a 15-year hiatus.

“He's an all-time great of Hong Kong, he ran a competitive race on the weekend but with Golden Sixty around, everywhere he goes he probably can't beat him – maybe in his heyday he could have but at this stage of his career he certainly can't,” Hayes said.

The announcement to retire the champ was made by Patrick Kwok on Sunday, 13 December following his fifth-placed effort to Golden Sixty in the Hong Kong Mile.

“He travelled beautifully, and he gave us a real thrill and then at about the 200m mark he was found a little bit wanting.”

“The owners love the horse and don't like seeing him getting beaten, so they made the decision to retire him to Living Legends where he will be respected and looked after and admired by a lot of people – it's an appropriate place,” Hayes said.

Dr. Andrew Clarke, Living Legends Chief Executive Officer, said: “It's just wonderful news, Beauty Generation is one of the all-time greats, he's the equal highest rated horse from Hong Kong and he's the all-time money winner.”

Beauty Generation joins the likes of Silent Witness, Good Ba Ba, Bullish Luck, Designs On Rome, Beauty Only, California Memory, Lucky Nine, Super Jockey and Mr Stunning as stars of Hong Kong who reside at Living Legends in Melbourne, Australia.

“It's often the kangaroos that the Hong Kong horses take a day or two to get used to – kangaroos do all sorts of things that horses don't like,” Clarke said.

Beauty Generation's record-setting career is folklore, he scaled unimaginable heights, produced an invincible season and leaves the track with the most earnings in Hong Kong racing history.

And throughout it all, with mounting pressure and expectations aboard Hong Kong's champion horse, Purton remained unperturbed, holding an exceptional amount of faith in the bay's ability and will to win.

“Funnily, I never at any stage felt like I was ever under any pressure with him, the more wins they get obviously the more people expect them to keep winning and generally more pressure comes with that,” Purton said.

Purton is known for his ice-cold temperament in the saddle, the Australian ace is a four-time champion of Hong Kong with more than 1200 wins, second to only Douglas Whyte.

“I just felt he was so much better than the rest of the field so I didn't feel like I had anything to worry about – that way I was able to enjoy it and I suppose that's probably the best part of it.

“What I started to notice most was the attention that he would get around the parade ring, it got to the stage where crowds were lining the parade ring with their cameras out taking photos and videos of him and that's when you start to realise how much attention he has – but not just from racegoers but from the general public as well,” Purton said.

“Coming back after the race there was just a feeling of satisfaction, there was never a feeling of relief because I was always so confident that he was going to win,” he added.

Beauty Generation was the horse of a lifetime for Purton and he will always be an icon of Hong Kong, he captured the hearts and minds of racegoers who flocked to catch a glimpse, like all champions do.

The post Hong Kong’s ‘All-Time Great’ Beauty Generation Retired To Living Legends appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Bred by Nearco Stud Ltd., Beauty Generation was purchased for NZ$60,000 by Kylie Bax’s Hermes Syndications from the Highden Park draft at the NZB National Yearling Sale in 2014 and was sent to race in Australia. Trained by Anthony Cummings as Montaigne, the bay gelding won two of seven starts, including a runner-up effort in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, prior to his purchase by the Kwok Family.

Prepared in Hong Kong by John Moore, Beauty Generation was third to his late stablemate Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss) in the 2017 BMW Hong Kong Derby and set (and still holds) a track record for 2200 metres, but was reinvented as a 1400-1600m horse for the 2017-2018 season. He carried Derek Leung to a 15-2 upset in the 2017 G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and Zac Purton was in the irons when wiring the field in the 2018 G1 Champions Mile.

BEAUTY GENERATION tried his heart out again today.
We are so proud of our champion that will now retire to @LivingLegendsAU.
8 x Group 1 wins
2 x Horse of the Year
HK$105,000,000 the highest prizemoney earner in HK history

We will miss him here in HK

Enjoy retirement big boy pic.twitter.com/ktt70NSugd

— Beauty Stable (@Beautystablehk) December 13, 2020

The latter race was the start of an 18-month stretch where nothing could come close to Beauty Generation. In that time he amassed 10 consecutive wins, going back-to-back in the Hong Kong Mile (see below) and the Champions Mile and he peaked on a domestic rating of 138 following a first-up success in the G3 Celebration Cup H. Third in search of a three-peat in the 2019 Hong Kong Mile, he retained his zest for racing to post a second score in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) last February.  The last of his 18 local victories came in the G2 Chairman’s Trophy in April. David Hayes trained Beauty Generation for three starts this season following Moore’s retirement.

“I knew it may be on the table,” said Purton, who rode the champion 28 times. “It’s a bittersweet day. It’s a sad end. He’s been the best horse for me in my career. I’m certainly going to miss him. He was brave again [in Sunday’s Mile]  and wherever he may go in the world, I’m sure I’ll go and visit him in his paddock one day.”

WATCH: Beauty Generation defends his title in the 2018 Hong Kong Mile

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“He's amazing, isn't he?” jockey Vincent Ho said, moments after the brilliant 5-year-old unleashed an unanswerable burst of speed that carried him to a dazzling two-length victory.

For Ho and trainer Francis Lui, Golden Sixty's success is a first at the Hong Kong International Races.

Lui was delighted and relieved to see his standout galloper seal a 14th win from 15 starts, and surpass the great Beauty Generation's 10 wins in a row with his 11th-straight triumph – in Hong Kong, only the near-immortal Silent Witness has won more races on the bounce.

“I can have a good sleep tonight!” Lui declared. “I'm very happy – at the moment, I don't know what to say, (my heart) is still pumping. As a jockey, as a trainer, as an owner, you're dreaming of this.

“I was worried about the horses from Japan and Ireland but now, after this race, he has shown me that he's a champion.”

Lui's pre-race concerns were natural with Japan's 2019 victor Admire Mars in the line-up along with last-start G1 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia, from Ireland's powerful Aidan O'Brien stable. But his anxiety proved needless, the invaders were no match for last season's BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner, who races in the silks of Stanley Chan Ka-leung.

With speed enough to have posted nine wins at 1200m and 1400m, and the fortitude to last the local Derby's 10 furlongs, the Medaglia d'Oro gelding seems to have it all.

When the gates crashed back, Ho exhibited apposite confidence on the 1.3 favorite, allowing his mount to settle third-last – seven lengths off the lead – while Ryan Moore pressed Admire Mars forward to stalk outside the front-running Ka Ying Star.

“They went a little bit hard early and I was quite far back, so I just let him slide through from the 600 (meters) and it only took him a few strides to almost get to them. I tried to save him until I let him down and when I asked for him, he did it really well, he gave me a really big effort,” Ho said with typically deadpan understatement.

Golden Sixty cruised around the field turning for home; the Australian-bred bounded rapidly through his gears and when he hit top speed, his stride was a blur of quickening power.

“When I hit the top of the straight, I knew,” Ho said. “I was just cruising and I didn't think anyone could beat him in that sort of sprint.

“He's a horse that really wants to compete, he's the best horse in Hong Kong at the moment. Today is all about him.”

Golden Sixty's winning time was 1:33.45; his closing 400m spilt, a strong 22.05.

Such a performance, with the admirable G1 FWD Champions Mile winner Southern Legend second and Admire Mars a battling third, sees Golden Sixty take up the baton as Hong Kong's latest star from the once imperious Beauty Generation.

Connections announced shortly after the race that 8-year-old Beauty Generation will race no more. Hong Kong's highest-rated galloper of all time – rated the equal of another great miler, Able Friend – bowed out with a meritorious fifth place and a Hong Kong career tally of 18 wins from 34 starts, as well as the local all-time record prize money haul of HK$106,233,750.

At his peak, Beauty Generation was an incredible force around Sha Tin, claiming two editions of the Hong Kong Mile among his eight G1 wins for trainer John Moore – his last three races came under the care of trainer David Hayes.

“I knew it may be on the table,” said Zac Purton, who rode the Kwok family's champion 28 times.

Beauty Generation

“It's a bitter-sweet day. It's a sad end. He's been the best horse for me in my career. I'm certainly going to miss him. He was brave again today and wherever he may go in the world, I'm sure I'll go and visit him in his paddock one day.”

Beauty Generation was high-class in Australia before scaling Hong Kong's heights but never ventured away from Sha Tin to test his mettle as a champion overseas. Lui said when pressed that the Golden Sixty team will consider off-shore options in the future but not while the world remains in its pandemic-induced turmoil.

“Not this season,” he said. “Because of the virus, we'll keep him in Hong Kong this season.”

With Ireland's Mogul carrying off the Hong Kong Vase and Japanese raiders Danon Smash and Normcore capturing the Hong Kong Sprint and Hong Kong Cup respectively, Hong Kong needed a big performance from its latest home town hero.

Golden Sixty delivered just that, and with it, the promise that Hong Kong has unearthed yet another athlete to rank among the world's best.

The post Hometown Hero Golden Sixty Runs Win Streak To 11 With Hong Kong Mile Triumph appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hayes famously sent Fields Of Omagh into retirement after the 9-year-old snared Australia's premier G1 weight-for-age contest – the Cox Plate – at Moonee Valley in 2006 to cap his career in a blaze of glory.

The comparisons to Beauty Generation, twice Hong Kong Horse of the Year, are not lost on Hayes, who inherited the decorated 8-year-old after John Moore's retirement last year.

In two runs for Hayes, the 2017 and 2018 Hong Kong Mile winner has had his colors lowered by Hong Kong's boom galloper Golden Sixty, dead-heated for second in the G3 Celebration Cup (1400m, seven furlongs) before running sixth in the G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m, one mile).

Fields Of Omagh had won just one of 12 starts before tackling – and conquering – the Cox Plate for a second victory. Hayes took over the gelding from Tony McEvoy after returning to Australia from Hong Kong in 2005.

Hayes retains faith Beauty Generation can revive the uplifting memories of Fields Of Omagh's farewell performance.

“It would be wonderful to win with him, especially if you could resurrect an old champion like Beauty Generation,” Hayes said after the gelding cantered on the inner track at Sha Tin on Thursday.

“He reminds me – and he's more high-profile – of an old Fields Of Omagh going into his last Cox Plate, doing everything right but overlooked and under-rated by the market.

“This horse is going to start well overs which is quite ironic because up until the last 12 months, he's been favorite in everything he's raced in.

“The guy who rides him, Romain (Clavreul), who has ridden him all his life, says he feels as good as ever, which is really encouraging.

“We've taken a fresh approach. We elected not to give him a lead-up race or a trial. He's just had three nice gallops on the course proper over the last month and I'm really happy with his level of fitness and he looks fantastic.”

Beauty Generation finished third in last year's Hong Kong Mile behind Japan's Admire Mars, who returns to defend his crown.

Hayes said a decision on Beauty Generation's future would not necessarily hinge on Sunday's performance.

“If he runs competitive, he'll certainly keep racing on,” he said.

“If he disappointed, it (retirement) would be considered, but I would think they would love to run him in the 1400m G1 (the Queens Silver Jubilee Cup) that he won last year – his last win.

“But if he's racing well, I can't see any reason why he wouldn't keep going.”

Beauty Generation will start from barrier three under Zac Purton as he attempts to match Good Ba Ba's feat (2007-09) of winning the Mile three times.

The post ‘Resurrect An Old Champion’: Beauty Generation Chasing Third Hong Kong Mile Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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On a rating of 130, the 8-year-old Beauty Generation remains Hong Kong’s top-rated galloper and he will–once again–have to deal with rising superstar Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro), this time in the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy H. (1600m). The two rivals met in the G3 Celebration Cup H. over 1400 metres Sept. 27, and, in receipt of 17 pounds from the dual Horse of the Year, Golden Sixty kicked home 1 3/4 lengths best, with Champion’s Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) dead-heating for second. Golden Sixty figures a warm favorite, but the dual G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile winner figures to improve back over his pet trip and with a seven-pound shift in the weights with the once-beaten Golden Sixty.

Hot King Prawn returns to action as the 133-pound king of the hill in the G2 Premier Bowl H. (1200m). Though his lone victory last season came in a Class 1 handicap, the 6-year-old gray gelding just missed to stablemate Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) in last year’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint and was last seen finishing a close second in the G3 Sha Tin Vase H. over course and distance May 24. Four-year-old Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) is the likely favourite stretching out in trip off a dominating 2 3/4-length success in the G3 National Day Cup H. up the 1000-metre straight course Oct. 1. The ridgling gets a whopping 16 pounds off Hot King Prawn Sunday afternoon.

The post Veterans Beauty Generation, Hot King Prawn Facing New-Guard Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Settled worse than midfield behind a moderate tempo, Golden Sixty was patiently handled on the turn, but was eased out into the clear with a bit more than 400 metres to race. Champion’s Way, who sat a nice inside trip for Joao Moreira, was sent into the lead in upper stretch, but Golden Sixty’s turn of foot proved decisive, as he rolled past an on to a convincing victory. Beauty Generation also traveled inside and was short of room at the furlong marker, but boxed on gamely to earn the dead-heat for second.

“It’s very exciting to be back on him [Golden Sixty], he felt great and fresh today–once I got a clear run I knew he’d run them down,” winning jockey Vincent Ho said. “I think he is one of the best horses in Hong Kong at the moment.”

Winning conditioner Francis Lui is considering Golden Sixty for either the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile or G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) come December.

David Hayes, who has taken over the training of Beauty Generation with the departure of John Moore, was pleased enough with what he saw on the track.

“We knew it was always going to be a big ask to give a young champion like Golden Sixty so much weight, but I thought Beauty Generation would have finished a clear second with a better run and I’m very happy with the way he went,” Hayes said.

Pedigree Notes:

Golden Sixty is bred on the cross of Medaglia d’Oro over sire sons of Forty Niner which has yielded the likes of US Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (out of a daughter of Roar), champion Songbird and other 10-furlong Grade I winners Elate and New Money Honey (each o/o a Distorted Humor dam). His deeper female family includes the likes of champions Bosra Sham and Hector Protector and MG1/GISW Ciro.

Gaudeamus is the dam of a 3-year-old colt by Choisir (Aus), and a yearling filly by G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}). She was most recently bred to Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) on a Nov. 18 cover date.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CELEBRATION CUP H.-G3, HK$3,500,000 (A$642,413/£354,438/
€388,175/US$451,616), Sha Tin, 9-27, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:20.54, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 116, g, 5, by Medaglia d’Oro
1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Leo’s Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew
3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg ’17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo ’17 NZBRTR).
O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld);
T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$1,995,000. Lifetime Record: Ch.
4yo-HK, 12-11-0-0, HK$33,465,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus)
(Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $120,093. Werk Nick Rating: A+++
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
(DH)-2–Beauty Generation (NZ), 133, g, 8, Road to Rock (Aus)–
Stylish Bel (Aus), by Bel Esprit (Aus). (NZ$60,000 Ylg ’14
NZBJAN). O-Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen; B-Nearco Stud Ltd;
T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$586,250.
(DH)-2–Champion’s Way (Aus), 115, g, 5, Hinchinbrook (Aus)–
Greta’s Yarn (Aus), by Redoute’s Choice (Aus). (A$150,000 Ylg
’17 INGFEB). O-Dr & Mrs Arthur Leung, Elaine Leung & Angela
Leung; B-G Bunt (NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira;
HK$586,250.
Margins: 1 3/4, (DH), 3/4. Odds: 0.80, (3.90, 7.80).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

The post Golden Sixty Dominates Celebration Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Bred by Ballygallon Stud, Exultant won four of his seven trips to the post during the season, calling on all his class and stamina for victories in the G1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) and a successful defence of his title in the G1 Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup (2400m) (see below). The Tony Cruz-trainee carried 133 pounds in annexing the G3 Centenary Vase H. (1800m), was victorious in the G2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) and was a gallant third when trying for the repeat in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) in December. In addition to Horse of the Year, the son of Contrary (Ire) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}) was also recognized as champion middle distance horse and champion stayer for the second year in a row. Exultant is the first Horse of the Year trained by someone other than John Moore since the 2011-2012 season.

Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) became just the second to sweep the 4YO Classics in Hong Kong, winning the Classic Mile and Classic Cup before a stirring success in the BMW Hong Kong Derby. While it wasn’t quite enough to topple the exploits of Exultant, he was the easy winner of the newly instituted 4-Year-Old Champion award. Golden Sixty was a perfect seven-from-seven during the campaign, earning a first group-stakes badge in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup H. (1400m) on New Year’s Day. Trained by Francis Lui and ridden by Tony Cruz Award recipient Vincent Ho, Golden Sixty climbed 37 points in the ratings, from a beginning mark of 75 to his current 112. He was also named most popular horse.

Two-time Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) may have lost a step at age seven, but he was accomplished enough to be named champion miler for a remarkable third year on the bounce. Third in search of three straight in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December, he was second in the G1 Stewards’ Cup, but displayed his zest for racing

by completing the hat trick in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) before adding the G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m). A near-miss second in the G1 Champions Mile in April, Beauty Generation trains on at eight with David Hayes.

The consistent Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) annexed the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint and G1 Centenary Sprint Cup en route to being named champion sprinter for the second year in a row. He has been out of the top three just once in his 25 career appearances.

Among the other non-equine categories, Ricky Yiu won his first trainers’ premiership on 67 victories, while Zac Purton outdistanced Joao Moreira to retain his jockeys’ title. John Moore, who saddled his final horses as a licenced trainer in Hong Kong Wednesday, was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

WATCH: Exultant puts them back-to-back in the Champions and Chater Cup

The post Exultant Named Hong Kong Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The Tony Cruz-trained 6-year-old was also named Champion Middle-Distance Horse and Champion Stayer for the second consecutive year.

Exultant is the first horse since River Verdon in 1991/92 to win the Horse of the Year title in the same season as capturing both the G1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup. Only two other Hong Kong champions, Top Grade and Quicken Away, have achieved the same feat.

The five-time G1 winner showed uncommon class and resolution during the campaign, in which he finished in the frame in all of his seven starts. In addition to his two G1 wins, the Teofilo gelding also took the G2 Jockey Club Cup and the G3 Centenary Vase Handicap, and was placed in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and the G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse Handicap.

The Medaglia d'Oro gelding went through the season unbeaten with seven wins, and also tasted his first Group success in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap. Lui's stable star matched brilliance with versatility, with his wins ranging from 1200m to 2000m.

Golden Sixty also secured the bulk of the public vote to claim the Most Popular Horse title.

Two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation lost his outright crown but was named Champion Miler for a remarkable third season in a row. The Road To Rock seven-year-old remained a significant force at the highest level, and completed a hat-trick of wins in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup. John Moore's stable standout also won the G3 Celebration Cup for the third time in succession; and earned three G1 placings with his seconds in the Stewards' Cup and the FWD Champions Mile, and third in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

Beat The Clock was named the season's Champion Sprinter for the second year. The John Size-trained six-year-old was a dual G1 victor this term, claiming the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint and the Centenary Sprint Cup, a race he also won in the 2018/19 season. The Hinchinbrook gelding continued to be a model of consistency with two wins, one third and one fifth from just four starts this term.

Good Luck Friend was named the season's Champion Griffin after securing four wins from six starts. The Ricky Yiu-trained three-year-old achieved his career highlight to date in a Class 3 1200m at Sha Tin, defeating seasoned gallopers to achieve a rating of 85.

The Jimmy Ting-trained Amazing Star was named the season's Most Improved Horse. He started the campaign on a rating of 58 and rocketed 42 points to a mark of 100 after four wins in just six starts.

Ricky Yiu was honored with the Champion Trainer title. The battle for the championship was settled at the season finale and Yiu was most deserving of his first title, having led for most of the season and repelled all challengers with a final total of 67 wins.

Zac Purton was crowned Champion Jockey for a fourth time. The Australian rider had a fantastic season of achievements, including becoming the only rider in history to have won every Group 1 race on the Hong Kong calendar thanks to Exultant's score in the FWD QEII Cup.

Vincent Ho won the Tony Cruz Award as the season's leading homegrown rider and also won the public vote to earn the Most Popular Jockey of the Year accolade.

Retiring trainer John Moore was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his great contribution to Hong Kong racing over almost 50 years.

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