News

Easter Two Year Olds Quinella Chinese National Championships

1st Nov 2010

A crowd of approximately 10,000 racing enthusiasts attended the Wuhan International Equestrian Festival on mainland China yesterday, enjoying an eight card program of thoroughbred racing ranging in distance from 400m to 5000m.

The highlight of the day was the Two Year Old Championship, the most prestigious race in China for juveniles, over 1000m.

Amongst a field of nine two year olds were two Australian breds, both Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduates and both grandsons of the legendary Danehill. The pair of them dominated the race with more than eight lengths between the two Australians and the rest of the field.

The winner was the well named colt VERY FAST (AUS), by Fastnet Rock from Silent Song. This magnificent colt was knocked down for $130,000 at Easter earlier this year from the draft of Wimmera Park Stud.

The runner up SANDSTORM (AUS) is an Exceed and Excel colt from Royal Babe, fetching $70,000 for Attunga Stud at the same sale.

Both were purchased by prominent Chinese racehorse owners with the specific aim of competing in this race.

On hand to cheer home the Australian bred two year olds were Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster and Sydney Bloodstock Consultant Ian Macpherson.

"Whilst all eyes are on the first Tuesday of November back home, history was created here yesterday with the first Easter graduates to compete in China,” Webster said.

“We are thrilled with the result. The quality of the Australian bred horses was clear to everyone involved and the connections are to be congratulated for presenting their horses in such good condition.

“Jacky Wu and his team from the Lucky Orient Wuhan Jockey Club along with the Wuhan Government should also be commended for putting on such an impressive event. The grand stand and facilities here would be the envy of many metropolitan race clubs around the world."

A photo gallery of the Wuhan race meeting will be available on the Inglis website.