News

Stormy Grove too strong in Hong Kong Classic Cup

1st Mar 2026

Inglis graduates’ recent dominance of the prestigious Hong Kong 4YO Series continued at Sha Tin tonight with Stormy Grove (Toronado) winning the second leg of this year’s series, the Hong Kong Classic Cup.

Stormy Grove settled in his customary position toward the back of the field but showed a spectacular turn of foot to charge past some of Hong Kong’s best up-and-coming middle-distance horses to score a second consecutive victory.

Owners Marc Chan and Lili Chan Li Lei will now target the third and final leg of the series - the Hong Kong Derby, the most important race on the Hong Kong calendar – with Stormy Grove (pictured) at Sha Tin on March 22.

Stormy Grove led in an Inglis graduates quinella tonight, defeating Invincible Ibis.

Bred by Adam Sangster, Rebecca and Simon Lurati’s Ealing Park, John Dickson’s Sandown Lodge and Tim Jones, Stormy Grove began his racing career in Australia for Patrick and Michelle Payne.

He won impressively on debut at Geelong in December 2024 before finishing an eye-catching second at Flemington in BM70 Saturday grade, after which he was exported to Hong Kong.

Originally he was a $135,000 Premier Yearling Sale purchase for Nardoo Valley Stud’s Philip George, from the Collingrove Stud draft.

Co-breeder Sangster said: “It’s a great thrill to co-breed a horse like this, it’s a fabulous result for Toronado who has an incredible record in Hong Kong and it’s a great boon for our home sale, the Inglis Premier Sale which showed again today just how strong it is.

“Full credit to Jamie McCalmont, who purchased Stormy Grove on behalf of Marc Chan following his two Australian runs.

“This horse is loaded with talent. He was loaded with talent as a yearling, he was loaded with talent when he was racing early on in Australia and he’s loaded with talent in Hong Kong and is now starting to get recognised and deservedly so.

“The Hong Kong Derby is the biggest race of the year for Hong Kong owners and to have a live chance in a race like that is fabulous.’’

Stormy Grove becomes the fourth consecutive Inglis graduate to win the Hong Kong Classic Cup following the success of Rubylot (2025), Helios Express (2024) and Super Sunny Sing (2023).

Inglis graduates have also won the first two legs of this year’s 4YO Series after Classic Sale star Little Paradise won the opening leg, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, four weeks ago.