News

Easter graduate Cap Ferrat wins Hong Kong Derby

23rd Mar 2025

High-class 4YO Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) defied long odds to win the HK$26,000,000 (A$5,300,000) Hong Kong Derby over 2000m at Sha Tin this evening.

Sent off amongst the outsiders of the 14 horse field at $26, Cap Ferrat was a maiden going into the race having not won in 16 career starts.

However, that record ignored the fact that he had produced high-class form as a 3YO in Australia when trained by Chris Waller, placing in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes behind Tom Kitten and last year’s Rosehill Guineas behind outstanding pair Riff Rocket and Ceowulf.

Now in the care of champion Hong Kong trainer Francis Lui, Cap Ferrat had the benefit of a patient rail-hugging ride by Craig Williams.

Having tracked the pace in a stalking position throughout the race, Cap Ferrat took a run up the fence to dart to the lead before clinging on bravely through the closing stages for a narrow win in the prestigious contest.

He is the second Inglis graduate to win the great race in the past three years, following the win of superstar Voyage Bubble in 2023.

Trainer Lui described himself as “very excited” to have added a second Hong Kong Derby to his honour roll of big race success.

“I can’t say I was confident, they are very good horses,” said Lui.

“In the last two runs he had a bad draw, bad runs having drawn wide".

The beautifully-bred Cap Ferrat was purchased by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier for $1,400,000 at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, whose Bloodstock Manager Jon Freyer was understandably delighted with the win.

“He was an outstanding yearling and was competitive with the best 3YOs in Australia when he raced for Coolmore,” said Freyer.

“The win this evening was far from a surprise to us as he clearly has the ability, he just needed more luck that what he had enjoyed on his first few starts in Hong Kong.

“The win is a further compliment to the farm and the incredible team of people that works tirelessly to nurture these young horses through the early stages of their lives.

“Cap Ferrat is yet another top-class horse to graduate our Easter drafts in recent years, joining the likes of Switzerland, Lady Shenandoah, Autumn Angel, Estriella, Makarena, Autumn Ballet, Ostraka, Tutta La Vita etc,” said Freyer.

There are 45 yearlings by champion sire Snitzel catalogued for the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, including a full brother to Cap Ferrat who is catalogued as lot 312 and amongst 42 yearlings set to be offered by Arrowfield.

The yearling is a beauty, every bit as good as Cap Ferrat himself, and the timing couldn’t be better,” added Freyer.

Inspections for the 2025 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale begin on Monday March 31.

To view the catalogue CLICK HERE.