News

Sacred Kingdom Honoured With Aushorse Marketing Award

1st Sep 2009

Aushorse - Press Release - Tuesday, 1 September 2009

Hong Kong Champion Sacred Kingdom has been named the Aushorse Marketing Champion Australian-bred International of the Year at Monday night's Horse of the Year awards in Melbourne.

Winner of the G1 KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore in record time and the G2 HKJC Sprint Cup, Sacred Kingdom staved off strong challenges from the likes of Rocket Man (Singapore), Princess Coup (New Zealand) and Inspiration (Hong Kong).

The Ricky Yiu trained sprinter returned to his best form earlier this year, after being the highest rated sprinter in the world in 2007-08.

A son of Encosta De Lago from the Zeditave mare Courtroom Sweetie, Sacred Kingdom was bred by the Calvert family in Victoria and sold through their Kornong Stud draft at the 2005 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, where he sold for $200,000.

Andrew Calvert, who accepted the award from Aushorse Director Tas Rielley, said it was deserved recognition for the gelding, who has been a top level performer for a number of seasons.

"Sacred Kingdom has been a world class horse and it's a tremendous thrill to see him recognised with this award," he said.

"We have been breeding for 30 years waiting for a horse like this to come along. It's sad that my father Alan isn't with us to see what the horse he bred has achieved. We are all very proud of Sacred Kingdom and I only hope we can get another one in the next 30 years."

Calvert said Courtroom Sweetie has an Elvstroem yearling filly, but is heading back to Encosta De Lago at Coolmore Australia this year to replicate the Sacred Kingdom mating.

Exporting of thoroughbreds is now a major source of income for breeders in Australia and the reputation of horses bred in this country continues to grow at a rapid rate.

Through this award Aushorse Marketing is honouring the feats of those horses carrying the flag for the Australian breeding industry around the world.