Golden Sixty Wins Epic G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup

Australian bred Golden Sixty confirmed himself as the best in Hong Kong by giving arch rival Romantic Warrior a start and a beating in the Group I Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.

Regarded the underdog at the extended trip, Golden Sixty let his class do the talking as he steamed home under Vincent Ho to win after giving his main rival a couple of lengths on the corner.

The seven-year-old Queensland bred and sold galloper made it win number 24 (from just 28 starts) and eight Group Ones as he powered home in front of a rapturous crowd.

"I'm very happy," trainer Francis Lui said. "In my lifetime, I think this is the best horse and I don't think I can have another one. You can't expect another one."

What a battle! Hong Kong's two best duel it out with Golden Sixty lifting to win his second G1 @Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup crown! @Vincenthocy ????#TripleCrown | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/Nf4GFRoJEE

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2023

Lui said he would consider the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Champion and Chaters Cup over the longer 2400 metre trip, but races around a mile over the coming months were likely future targets. 

"It's a difficult consideration, I think (it will be Japan) if I plan to run overseas. I have to discuss it with Vincent, but of course he still thinks he's a miler.

"Honestly if you go to visit him, he's the same – you have to be careful. He will bite you or he will even kick you," Lui added. "He's always been like that, that's his character."

Regular rider Vincent Ho went into the big race hopeful, but not overly confident considering he was stretching from 1600 to 2000 metres.

"He's getting too relaxed now," Ho said. "Maybe as he's getting older - perhaps he needs the blinkers soon!"

"He was so relaxed but when I ask him, he gives - so that's fine."

"To be honest I expected the other horse would beat us. But of course I was doing my best on Golden Sixty without hurting him too much for the Champions Mile and if we go to Japan."

"He's got a great heart. He's always trying his best - sometimes over his own limit."

"I don't want to overdo it," Ho added of his champion. "Just for him to show his best."

And his best he did show! Notching win 24 at start 28 and sending his earnings rattling over HK$136.5 million - the equivalent of about A$25.8 million.

Golden Sixty was bred and sold by the Hutchins family's Element Hill property in Queensland and sold for $120,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He was purchased on the Gold Coast by Riversley Park and Enigma Farm and exported for an educational campaign in New Zealand where he was sold in the Ready to Run Sale fetching $300,000 before heading to Hong Kong.

Golden Sixty 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.