| Queensland bred and sold champion Golden Sixty created yet more history when he scored a soft win in today’s HK$20 million Group One Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin. |
| Sent out the hot favourite with his adoring fans, Golden Sixty sat handy to the leaders before pouncing on the lead in the straight and then racing away for a soft win. His long list of awards and accolades added another record when he became the first three time winner of the Champions Mile. And in winning he likely eclipsed Australian champion mare Winx as the highest prizemoney earner in global racing with a haul now of HK$147.9 million – the equivalent of about A$28.5 million. Importantly both Golden Sixty and Winx were sold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2013 and 2017 respectively. Both trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho expressed their pride in Golden Sixty following his latest record breaking success. “I’m grateful for Golden Sixty of course,” a delighted Ho said. “It’s always my honour to be on him.” “I’m happy for the horse and I’m happy for the crowds that come to support him – he’s just an amazing horse!” “He’s going as well as ever,” Ho added. “There’s no sign of him dropping in performance.” Today’s win was the 25th in just 29 starts for Golden Sixty and his ninth win at international Group One level. Golden Sixty has turned out one of the great buys in modern day racing. He was purchased for $120,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is a son of El Prado’s Group One winning son Medaglia d’Oro – also sire of international champions Songbird and Rachel Alexandra and Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, the latter was also sold at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Dam Gaudeamus, a daughter of Distorted Humor, was a Group Two winner at Leopardstown and Listed winner at The Curragh – she was a brilliant three time winner as a two-year-old. As well as Golden Sixty, Gaudeamus has produced the black type performers Rainbow Connection and Igitur as well as Sydney winners Be Mindful and Quiet Riot. Josh Hutchins purchased Gaudeamus for $160,000 at the 2015 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale from the draft of Wood Nook Farm with Golden Sixty in-utero. The mare is still going strong at the Queensland farm – she has a yearling three quarter sister to Golden Sixty by Vancouver as well as a weanling filly by Wootton Bassett. She was served last spring by So You Think. Meanwhile, star Queensland based gallopers Alpine Edge and Emerald Kingdom produced a finish of the ages in today’s $775,000 The Archer at Rockhampton. The Magic Millions sold runners hit the line locked together with the late charge from Alpine Edge proving the difference. A winner of January’s $1 million Magic Millions QTIS Open at the Gold Coast, Alpine Edge was a $160,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Edmonds Racing in conjunction with Kestrel Thoroughbreds and Lucky Clover Thoroughbreds. Winner: Golden Sixty Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro-Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor) Breeder: Asco International Pty Ltd Race: HKJC Champions Mile G1 (1600m) Sold for: $120,000 Sale: 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Element Hill Buyer: Riversley Park/Enigma Farm Earnings: HK$147,930,600 (approx. $28.5 million) Owner(s): Stanley Chan Ka Leung Trainer: Francis Lui |
