News

Chautauqua On Top Of The World In Hong Kong

1st May 2016

The Australian national anthem was played across Sha Tin this afternoon following the stunning last to first victory of Chautauqua in the Group 1 HKJC Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) ahead of fellow Inglis graduates Lucky Bubbles and Strathmore.

Trained by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago x Lovely Jubly) was sent out favourite against the best turf sprinters the world has assembled this year, including the holders of the Al Quoz Sprint, Breeders Cup Turf Sprint, Hong Kong Sprint, KrisFlyer International Sprint and last year’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize winner.

The grey flash was slowly away, but a hot pace upfront didn’t put jockey Tommy Berry in a panic as Chautauqua spotted the leaders twelve lengths heading into the Sha Tin straight.

Strathmore and Lucky Bubbles sprinted out of the pack to hit the front at the 200m mark, but the storming finish of Chautauqua simply stunned all onlookers as the son of Encosta de Lago swept to his third Group 1 victory of the year.

“That was pretty special, I’m lost for words. He really showed the world what he is made of today,” said an exuberant Tommy Berry.

Today’s win cements Chautauqua’s position as the World’s Best Sprinter following his victories in the Group 1 VRC Lightning Stakes and ATC TJ Smith Stakes earlier this year.

“It’s a great feeling. To travel a horse anywhere is not easy and he’s a special horse there is no doubt about that, he proved that in the TJ Smith run, but he might have even topped that,” added co-trainer John Hawkes.

2016 marked the first year that the Chairman’s Sprint Prize was open to international competition and added to the Global Sprint Challenge. In past years the race was won by Hong Kong greats such as Inglis graduates Sacred Kingdom (2010 and 2008), Silent Witness (2005 and 2004) and Fairy King Prawn (2001 and 1999).

The VRC Lightning Stakes and today’s HKJC Chairman’s Sprint Prize have Chautauqua in the box seat for a US$1 million bonus that is available to a horse that can win a minimum of three Group 1 races across three different jurisdictions (countries) during the 2016 Global Sprint Challenge.

Remaining legs of the challenge that Chautauqua may be aimed for include the King’s Stand Stakes and Diamond Jubilee Stakes in June at Royal Ascot, Darley July Cup at Newmarket in England or the Sprinters Stakes in October at Nakayama, Japan.

“He’s stamped himself again as one the best in the world and we are just so proud to have him. Now there is a million dollar incentive and a good reason to go to England, so the fact that he is nearly half way there I’d say all things being well we’d probably go,” part-owner Rupert Legh indicated.

Bred by Edwina Throsby’s Woodbury Pty Ltd, Chautauqua was offered at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where he failed to reach his $400,000 reserve when offered from the draft Berkeley Park Stud.

The Chairman’s Sprint Prize win takes Chautauqua’s earnings past $6.3 million for owners R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, G P I Racing, Gurners Bloodstock Co, Mr G Pulitano, Mr S W Kay, Ms M A Keating, Wright Racing and Throsby Racing.