The G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) has long been one of the world’s premier races and last weekend’s edition duly lived up to expectations with a thrilling clash between DARYZ and MINNIE HAUK, while also underlining the importance and appeal of elite international racing.
With the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) now only nine weeks away on 14 December at Sha Tin, the Arc was a wonderful reminder of the extraordinary theatre, storylines and emotion top-level horseracing regularly produces.
It is remarkable to reflect that DARYZ was unraced in April but, just seven starts later, this regally-bred three-year-old – a son of Arc winner SEA THE STARS out of fellow Group 1 winner DARYAKANA, who won the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin – would join racing’s most illustrious honour board as an Arc victor after narrowly defeating the gallant MINNIE HAUK.
DARYZ’s gripping victory over MINNIE HAUK went even further than pedigrees, as important as they are, as he delivered a fifth Arc success in the colours of the late H.H. The Aga Khan IV – one of international racing’s greatest owners and breeders – who passed away in February.
While there was a poignancy attached to the occasion, the elation of 2024 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship-winning rider Mickael Barzalona and trainer Francis Graffard reflected the significance of achieving career goals and I congratulate both.
From a LONGINES HKIR perspective, the performance of GIAVELLOTTO, who finished fourth under a very good ride by Andrea Atzeni for Marco Botti, was very encouraging and we hope to see GIAVELLOTTO back at Sha Tin in search of a second win in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase in December.
While the Arc was the sporting highlight of my brief visit to Paris, the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was very productive and provided the opportunity to further examine matters of crucial importance to our sport.
With 165 delegates from about 40 regions and countries, the Conference focused on horseracing betting issues, both in the legal and illegal markets, along with marketing and customer experience, and many other topics, as it heard from global experts in a variety of fields.
This was the 59th annual Conference of Horseracing Authorities and it allowed key racing leaders from around the world to meet and discuss the most pressing issues – and opportunities – impacting our sport today.
As someone who is extremely passionate about the future of horseracing, opportunities such as these are very important not only to identify threats and find ways to combat them, but also to formulate strategies to embrace opportunities to further develop our sport.
At Happy Valley tonight (8 October), we gather for one of the popular events of the Hong Kong season with the official launch of our Oktoberfest celebrations in the Beer Garden.
I will be joined at one of the most iconic racing venues in the world for the official barrel-tapping ceremony by Dr Annika Bolten-Drutschmann, the German Consul General to Hong Kong, China and Macau, China as part of the festivities.
Racegoers can embrace the spirit of Bavaria and the best German beer-hall culture to the sounds and sights of folk band Die Notenhobler and traditional German dancing while sampling wonderful food and beverages as well as world-class racing.
The HKEX Cup Handicap is carded as Race 6 and will be run over 1650m at 9.15pm with prizemoney of HK$2,050,000.
The pace will be good to slow with ANOTHER ZONDA (Ellis Wong) likely to lead from gate three. VIVA GRACIOUSNESS (Matthew Chadwick), STAR CONTACT (Brenton Avdulla) and CALL ME TOPSEED (Derek Leung) should be prominent with YOUNG BRILLIANT (Angus Chung), THE LION KING (Matthew Poon) and HARMONY GALAXY (Richard Kingscote) next.
STAR CONTACT is racing well and is a four-time course and distance winner. He was beaten only a neck over 1650m here last start by ROCKET SPADE and is drawn well in gate five to have a good run. He has the blinkers back on tonight and he is a win and place chance.
ANOTHER ZONDA has had only two starts over this course and distance for a win and a third and is drawn to lead without too much pressure. He finished last season on a winning note and was caught only late by ROCKET SPADE and STAR CONTACT last start. He is a place chance.
KEEN MOLLY (Karis Teetan) was blocked for a run between the 400m and 350m last start at Sha Tin and is also a place chance along with EMBRACES (Jerry Chau), who ran on strongly when resuming over this course and distance.
Finally, I hope everyone enjoyed a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
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