Tag: David Hayes

‘Ho’-megrown Success In the Longines IJC

Jockey Vincent Ho made history Wednesday night at iconic Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island, becoming the first 'homegrown' rider to take out the prestigious Longines International Jockeys' Championship.

With a narrow victory over Zac Purton in the fourth and final leg of the series, Ho amassed a total of 20 points to Purton's 18, with Australia's Rachel King and the locally based South African Lyle Hewitson on 16 points. King was declared outright third, with her victory in the first leg of the competition and an additional third-place finish in the finale trumping Hewitson's three minor placings.

To say it has been an eventful last four months in the life of Vincent Ho would be an understatement of monumental proportions. The 33-year-old graduate of the HKJC's Apprentice Jockeys' School, who is best known for his affiliation with three-time Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), announced his intentions to participate in the Shergar Cup at Ascot in August and was planning on riding at Goodwood as a warm-up as well. But he was seriously injured in a spill in late July when riding on a short-term stint at Niigata in Japan, resulting in a fractured vertebra, whiplash and a pneumothorax on his lung, Asian Racing Report wrote in August.

Despite the severity of the injuries, Ho was back in time for the third meeting of the new season in Hong Kong, only to be suspended in early October for 10 meetings for failing to sufficiently ride out his mount in a dead-heat victory, a penalty later cut to eight while being forced to pay a fine of HK$120,000 in lieu of the two extra dates. He returned to the saddle on Nov. 12 and still managed to book his spot in the IJC, in which he had finished alone in third in 2019 and a joint-third with fellow local rider Derek Leung last year.

But it was King, making her IJC debut, who struck first for Melbourne Cup-winning conditioner David Hall aboard 9-1 outsider Oversubscribed (Aus) (Reward For Effort {Aus}) (video), who–as reported by HKJC commentator Tom Wood–was making his fourth straight appearance in the Class 4 over the 1000 metres.

“He was probably the perfect start to riding here at Happy Valley,” said King, who narrowly missed winning this year's World Series Jockeys at Sapporo. “He's looked after me and did everything for me.”

Speaking after her third placing was confirmed, King added: “I think it was a good first effort. The atmosphere at Happy Valley is unbelievable and I really enjoyed it.”

Ryan Moore, a two-time IJC winner and three times its runner-up, had his best scoring chance in the second leg of the IJC and duly obliged aboard 8-5 favourite M Unicorn (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) for the training King of Happy Valley Caspar Fownes, spearing through from between rivals before proving a slashing winner (video). Moore was himself injured in a fall at Kyoto Nov. 19.

Leading Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton was downplaying his chances for a third IJC in the last four years prior to the event, but put himself into the reckoning with an inspired stalk-and-pounce ride aboard Silver Sonic (Aus) (Exosphere {Aus}) for Golden Sixty's trainer Francis Lui at odds just north of 8-1 (video).

Half of the 12 riders remained in with chances to varying degrees entering the IJC finale over 1200 metres. From an outside alley, Ho kicked the in-form David Hayes-trained Tomodachi Kokoroe (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) straight into the lead, set a steady pace and just held off Purton's mount Kaholo Angel (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) to secure the victory (video).

The always humble Ho learned he'd won only during the post-race debrief with the HKJC's Nick Child.

“I was not aware [I had won] and I didn't even know about the points, I just kept riding every race to have a winning chance,” said Ho. “I felt the track today favoured the front-runners a little bit so that definitely helped and of course Mr Hayes' team did a great job and helped me win this.

“As the first homegrown of course I received plenty of support here and hopefully it will inspire more kids.”

Ho, whose two HKIR successes came aboard Golden Sixty in the Hong Kong Mile in 2020 and 2021, also rides Senor Toba (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) in the Hong Kong Vase and the progressive Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Cup, both for former boss Fownes.

Moore's 12 points was good for fifth place, Tom Marquand's best finish was a fourth in leg three and Hollie Doyle posted a pair of fifth-place finishes. Yuga Kawada, James McDonald, Bauyrzhan Murzabayev and Karis Teetan also failed to point.

 

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Euros Win Three, But Purton Defends Title In Longines IJC

European-based jockeys managed victories in three of the four races comprising Wednesday's Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island, but consistency was rewarded when Zac Purton–out of luck on the evening–had the last laugh, placing in all four legs to take home the HK$500,000 (£48,558/€56,739) first prize. Currently atop the jockeys' premiership in Hong Kong, Purton was winning the IJC for a third time in five years, having taken it in 2017 and again 12 months ago. He joins Frankie Dettori and Douglas Whyte as three-time winners of the IJC.

Hollie Doyle made IJC history in 2020, becoming the first woman to win a leg of the series when booting home favored Harmony N Blessed (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) for trainer David Hayes. Her partner, Tom Marquand, got the evening off on a winning note Wednesday–also for the Hayes yard–producing $35 (5-2) favourite Awesome Treasure (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) from a handy spot in the nick of time to earn 12 points, while Purton set a searching gallop aboard Circuit Seven (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) before weakening late to third (video).

Doyle, who finished in a tie for third last year, was centrestage again in the IJC, putting $209 chance (19-1) Viva Hunter (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}) on the speed from gate 12 before just holding off a late dive from Purton and Glorious Lover (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) (video) in leg two. Ryan Moore was an unlucky third astride $3.90 pick Ai One (NZ) (Shocking {NZ}).

“I thought I had been headed home,” Doyle told the HKJC notes team. “[Winning] is just as good if not better [than last year]. It's good to have a crowd here, it lifts the atmosphere and I'm blessed to have had the luck I've had. It's very special to win against the world's best jockeys and it's a huge honour for Tom and I to be asked back here.”

 

 

James McDonald has been in cracking form in Australia over the past month, riding no fewer than 10 winners during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including the big race aboard Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}). The New Zealander, second when making his IJC debut in 2011 and third in 2014, tossed his hat into the ring in Wednesday's third leg, coming from what appeared to be a hopeless position at the midway point of the extended-mile race before knifing through late with 8-1 Invincible Missile (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) to just touch off Purton and Amazing Plus One (Ire) (Shamardal) in another rousing finish (video).

There were as many as seven chances entering the fourth and final leg of the championship, but none of the leading lights managed to strike a decisive blow, as Elon (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) came with a stinging rally from the back of the pack beneath Mickael Barzalona to post a 12-1 upset (video). It was Purton yet again on the losing end of a photo, but his runner-up effort secured the IJC on 22 points. Marquand, Doyle, McDonald and Barzalona finished in a tie for second place on 12 points.

“I came here a little bit worried about the quality of horses I was riding and knew that I was going to need things go my way and luckily I was able to get some nice runs on them and give them their chances,” Purton said. “It was a bit frustrating I kept getting beaten in those photos, but I suppose that makes for good racing and a good competition. The points added up, it's very satisfying.”

Hayes took home an HK$200,000 bonus as leading IJC trainer for his victory with Awesome Treasure and a pair of thirds to finish with 20 points, eight clear of a group of four fellow trainers on 12 points.

 

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Nervous Witness A Star On the Rise in Hong Kong

by Alan Carasso

Crushed at the tills into $12 (1-5) favourtism to build on a smashing debut effort Sept. 5, Nervous Witness (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}) absorbed plenty of mid-race heat, but responded to that challenge to annex a Class 3 event over the Sha Tin straight 1000 metres by 3 3/4 lengths, becoming the second Hong Kong 'TDN Rising Star' Friday afternoon.

Drawn high towards the stands'-side rail, Nervous Witness was away alertly, but was pressed to his outside by Brilliant Fortune (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), with a sectional time from the 800m to the 400m mark clocked in a wicked :19.92. Anything other than a superiour animal would be knocked around by that sort of tempo through the middle stages, but Zac Purton sat fairly quietly against him, asked his mount to win the race 250m out and kicked home to score with a minimum of fuss, getting his final quarter-mile in :22.37 (video). The final overall time of :55.24 was just 0.28 seconds slower than that recorded by his David Hayes stablemate Super Wealthy (Aus) (Epaulette {Aus}) in the G3 National Day Cup H. three races later.

Nervous Witness was the third of four winners on the day for the Hayes yard, taking him to 12 at this early stage of the season, while Super Wealthy rang up his 500th Hong Kong winner.

 

“[Zac] said he's a Group 1 horse, he said he got put under a lot of pressure from Joao Moreira, he said he just served it to him,” Hayes told the HKJC notes team. “You'd prefer him not to have that pressure but it's nice to see how he responded. He responded like a proper horse.”

Added Purton: They just don't do what he just did–it was special. He got it put to him today and he had to find and he didn't just find, he put them away.”

Nervous Witness, who races in the colours of the legendary sprinter Silent Witness (Aus), is the second foal from Hadiklaim who was acquired for A$2,000 at the 2015 Inglis Broodmare & Weanling Sale. Nervous Witness's 3-year-old half-brother Imatruestar (Aus) (Star Turn {Aus}) was a maiden winner at Grafton Aug. 30 and the mare–who hails from the female family of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell (Proud Citizen)–is also responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Supido (Aus).

The first 'TDN Rising Star' based in Hong Kong was fan favourite Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal), whose five victories included the G1 QE II Cup and G1 Champions and Chater Cup.

5th-Sha Tin, HK$1,570,000 (£148,714/€173,895/A$277,522/US$201,664), Hcp. (C3), 1000mT, :55.24, gd.
NERVOUS WITNESS (AUS), 121, g, 4, by Star Witness
1st Dam: Hadiklaim (Aus), by War Pass
2nd Dam: Sticky Date (Aus), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Puddinhead, by Affirmed
Sales history: A$110,000 Ylg '19 INGFEB. O-Arthur Antonio da Silva, Betty da Silva & Teresa Marie da Silva; B-Byerley Trading Pty Ltd (NSW); T-David Hayes. Click for the HKJC.com chart and VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

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Q&A with Magic Millions’ Barry Bowditch

The scene is set for an electrifying 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, May 25-27. The appearance of record-breaking mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands (Aus) was announced earlier this year, and she will be joined by a host of other top-class mares and fillies. The sale will also feature the Shadwell Australia dispersal for mares and weanlings. TDN's Gary King caught up with Barry Bowditch before the action kicked off in Queensland.

GK: Congratulations on putting together such a strong catalogue. It must be an extremely exciting time on the Gold Coast.

BB: We are obviously thrilled with the catalogue we've put together. It's been built around the earlier announcement of the Shadwell Australia dispersal and we are delighted to offer those horses. It's a big two weeks for us here on the Gold Coast. There's a great buzz in Australian racing at the moment, and we are looking forward to the sale starting. (Click here to view the complete catalogue.)

GK: Melody Belle and Arcadia Queen (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) are obviously two standouts. You must be particularly pleased to have these two in the lineup?

BB: They are two bespoke opportunities for breeders all over the world. They are prospects that will suit any broodmare band, on any farm, and are truly elite. I'd say they are the two best mares that have gone to market in Australia in a long, long time and that's saying something.

Melody Belle is a 14-time Group 1 winner and both her and Arcadia Queen are champion mares. We are looking forward to having them here on the complex come Saturday, and we'd like to think they will create interest from all over the world.

GK: As you mentioned, Melody Belle is a 14-time Group 1 winner, which is pretty remarkable. She's the rarest of rare jewels.

BB: To New Zealanders, and here in Australia as well, she's something very, very special. She's got a phenomenal race record; an outstanding 2-year-old that trained on, 14 Group 1 wins, with dominant wins along the way. She's a great physical on top of all that, which makes her a collector's item. She will be very well sought-after and deservedly so.

GK: Australaisan mares have appeal all over the world. Do you expect international buyers to be active next week?

BB: You would expect the global attention on this sale should only go from strength to strength. When you have the likes of Coolmore buying mares like Believe'N'Succeed (Aus) [purchased for A$1.1 million in foal to Street Cry in 2014] that have thrown Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won the G1 Epsom Derby in 2019.

Stonestreet's Barbara Banke and John Moynihan have had huge success, firstly buying Miracles Of Life (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) going on to win a Group 1 after they bought her. And the likes of Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), who they took home, put in foal to Curlin, and got huge rewards with a $4.1 million yearling at Keeneland. That's something you can only dream of, and the ring here at the Gold Coast provides those opportunities.

We are marketing our catalogue all over the world as we think it deserves global attention. The selection we have put in place and the mares we have from top to bottom are fantastic. I think there are opportunities from global players all the way through.

GK: Apart from the headliners, could you highlight a few other mares that would have particular international interest?

BB: Taste of Heaven (Aus) as Lot 1369 in our supplementaries will create attention. She's a half-sister to Redoute's Choice (Aus) by Encosta de Lago (Aus), and she's already thrown a group winner in North America in Heavenly Curlin. She's in foal to I Am Invincible. She ticks every box you could possibly find. We sold her here as part of the Teeley Dispersal in 2014 and it will be great to have her back on the complex over the weekend.

Obviously, the Shadwell Australia dispersal will appeal as well. Qafila (Aus) as Lot 815 being a Not A Single Doubt (Aus) mare, with a big international pedigree. She's a Group 1 winner, a very good 2-year-old to go with it, and in foal to Dundeel (NZ). Those sort of mares demand international attention from all the big names. She's got a pedigree that will suit all the major breeders.

But we have mares all through the catalogue. The Australian product stands up all over the world and I would hate to be pinpointing particular mares. From Lot 501 when she walks into the ring through to the 1300s there's international appeal the whole way through.

GK: The Australian racing/breeding industry is the envy of the world in many respects. The local industry appears to be in rude health. Would you agree?

BB: The local market is very strong here at the moment, and the sales have been buoyant. It's an industry that has a great culture behind it. We have survived COVID quite well here in Australia. Racing and prize money indicators continue to grow, and engagement in the sport here is fantastic.

A lot of syndicators get involved at the yearling end which really drives up demand. The breeders have plenty of money in their pockets. So, you would expect the demand from the local industry should be there given the fact that they have had a fruitful year.

GK: You referenced the Shadwell dispersal a little earlier. It's extremely poignant but also offers breeders a remarkable opportunity. Could you reflect a little on the Shadwell's draft presented by Yarraman Park?

BB: The Shadwell dispersal is something that's very rare. You get one a decade as far as I'm concerned, and we are extremely pleased to have the horses here.

What Angus Gold has achieved on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan is extraordinary. The Magic Millions relationship with Sheikh Hamdan and the team at Shadwell will complete a full circle with their first Australian purchase, Group 1 Blue Diamond heroine Mahaasin (Aus) bought on the Gold Coast in 1989, all the way through to Qafila. The number of Blue Diamonds that they have won, and placed in, is something no one else has on their CV.

One thing you can be assured of is that when Angus Gold came out here to buy yearlings for Sheikh Hamdan, he did so with great diligence. He bought the very best physicals he could find, they were always very well-managed and very well-raised. Whether they be at Yarraman Park or in the Hayes stable, they were given every opportunity.

But it's the fruits that remain in the future, and the buyers of these horses are the ones that will be the winners. There's a lot of blue sky ahead of them.

You only have to look at the Shadwell-bred yearlings that sold earlier this year. They sold fantastically well, and have gone to all the good stables. You would expect the weanlings selling over the next few days will be bought by some outstanding judges, and the mares will be given every opportunity.

I think the job that Harry and Arthur Mitchell have done at Yarraman Park to get these horses up here, looking fantastic and perfectly presented should be acknowledged. They deserve to sell exceptionally well.

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