Brilliant Sprinter Brings MM Update

Dashing grey sprinter Big Party scored a commanding victory in the Group III Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday bringing a huge pedigree update for his full brother that will be offered at Magic Millions 2020.

A progressive four year-old gelding by Exceed and Excel, the Frankie Lor trained Big Party surged clear of his rivals to win by a length and three-quarters in a slick 55.71 seconds and has now won five of nine starts.

The dominance of his performance suggested the Group I Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) in three weeks’ time would be a probable next assignment, but Lor played down such talk in the race’s immediate aftermath.

“Maybe,” was his cautious response to that proposition, “I need to talk to the owner first.”

That is not to say Lor doubts the four-year-old’s ability to mix it with the likes of G1-winning stablemate Mr Stunning: “If you see this race, I think you will say he could be one of Hong Kong’s best sprinters. He’s still young and I hope he can improve further,” he said.

Winning rider Grant van Niekerk echoed that view without a hint of doubt.

“He’s definitely good enough to run in that (Group 1) race, he’s got potential and I think he’s good enough to take on the big guns.” he said.

“He didn’t take on the best in this race but there were still some decent sprinters in there and he won with authority and that must count.”

Big Party was a $420,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft for ABC Bloodstock and is the 165^th stakes-winner for Darley’s champion sire Exceed and Excel.

He is the best of four winners from good producing Dehere (USA) mare De Groove, a sibling to Group III winner Taikun and stakes-winner Super Groove.

Bhima Thoroughbreds will offer the full brother to Big Party as Lot 226, the horse featured in our recent Nicks That Click lead up stories to the Magic Millions, read the story here.