The career of one of the greatest horses ever sold through the Karaka Sales Centre has ended with the retirement of Hong Kong hero Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro).
Offered by Riversley Park at NZB’s 2017 Ready to Run Sale, Golden Sixty was bought for $300,000 by trainer Francis Lui. He went on to win 26 of his 31 starts including 10 Group One triumphs. He amassed a world-record prize-money haul of HK$167.17m (NZ$34.84m) – more than 116 times his purchase price.
Sam Beatson of Riversley Park reflects on Golden Sixty’s early education and what it means to have a Champion of his quality on their honour roll.
“When we were preparing him for the Ready to Run Sale, we definitely knew he had ability, but he was quirky so we took our time with him.”
“We only did quiet work to keep his head in the right space because we were confident that, come breeze ups, he would gallop,” he added.
“He’s flown the flag for us for several years now and to have a horse of his calibre representing us has been a privilege.
“It’s been exciting to follow his career the whole way along and it’s hard to pinpoint a highlight but, for him to be the biggest stakes earner in the world, that’s a pretty impressive feat,” commented Beatson.
“He’s a once in a lifetime kind of horse, although I certainly hope we can produce another like him.”
Racing from his three-year-old to eight-year-old seasons, Golden Sixty was the horse of a lifetime for owner Stanley Chan, who announced his retirement on Friday.
“Golden Sixty has been more than just a racehorse to me and my family,” he said. “He has been a companion, a friend, and a true champion. Watching him compete has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
“I want to thank everyone who has been a part of his journey – his dedicated team, the fans and, most importantly, Golden Sixty himself for giving us unforgettable moments.”
Golden Sixty was a three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year, four-time Most Popular Horse of the Year and three-time Champion Miler, as well as collecting the titles of Champion Four-Year-Old and Champion Middle-Distance Horse.
He won the Group One Hong Kong Mile (1600m) three times, the Group One Champions Mile (1600m) three times, the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1600m) twice and the Group One Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) twice.
Golden Sixty commenced his Hong Kong career in March of 2019 after winning the last of three trials in New Zealand. He wasted no time in making his mark, winning all of his first three races before a rare unplaced finish in his final appearance of the season in July.
It was during the following season that his legend began to grow, launching a winning sequence that would ultimately span 16 races. Golden Sixty won all of his seven starts as a four-year-old including a clean sweep of the Four-Year-Old Series – the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and Hong Kong Derby (2000m).
He returned for another perfect seven-from-seven season at the age of five, including four Group One wins in the Hong Kong Mile, Stewards’ Cup, Hong Kong Gold Cup and Champions Mile.
Golden Sixty added another two Group One victories as a six-year-old, three as a seven-year-old, and a final Hong Kong Mile triumph as an eight-year-old last December. No horse in Hong Kong has ever won as many times at the elite level.
“It has been an honour to train such an extraordinary horse,” Lui said. “Golden Sixty has brought immense pride to our stable and to Hong Kong racing. His fighting heart is unmatched. I will always cherish the memories we created. Thank you, Golden Sixty.”
Golden Sixty was ridden in all of his 31 starts by Vincent Ho, who timed his barnstorming come-from-behind finishes to perfection.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride such an amazing horse,” Ho said. “He is not just a phenomenal athlete, but also a horse with a big heart. I want to thank him for trusting me on the track and for all the incredible experiences we shared.
“Over the years, I have tried to enjoy every moment when riding him, whether it was during races or trackwork. He will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will host a Golden Sixty retirement ceremony at the Celebration Cup race meeting at Sha Tin next Sunday, September 22. Stanley Chan will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the retirement ceremony to recognise Golden Sixty’s accomplishments.
“Golden Sixty is one of the all-time greats in the history of Hong Kong racing,” Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
“His exceptional ability to accelerate and dominate against not only the best of Hong Kong but also a string of world-class international contenders makes him a horse of a lifetime.
“I congratulate Stanley, Francis and Vincent on their fantastic management of an extraordinary equine athlete. Through their efforts, and Golden Sixty’s sheer talent and will to win, Hong Kong has been privileged to watch this amazing horse throughout a glorious career which has brought immense joy to the city and also to his fans around the world.
“Golden Sixty has captured the hearts of Hong Kong people and his last win at the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races created a strong emotional reaction from our racing fans in celebrating their champion. When he accelerated leaving world-class opposition behind, the reception he received was an experience which many people including myself will never forget. He is a real Hong Kong hero.
“While his imperious career has come to an end, we are forever indebted to him and will always cherish his incredible accomplishments.”
While another Golden Sixty will be hard to find, another high-quality catalogue of two-year-olds will go under the hammer during the 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale, which will be held at Karaka on November 20 and 21.
