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Victor beats world champion in G1 Sprint quinella for Inglis grads

28th Jan 2024

The G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin this evening looked something of a foregone conclusion for $1.35 favourite Lucky Sweynesse, but in a brutal display of sustained speed, it was Victor The Winner (Toronado) who proved far too good for the champion sprinter.

Having looked to have had any chance in the 1200m contest compromised by his wide draw in stall 10, Victor The Winner jumped clear from the gates and led throughout to win in impressive fashion by 1.75 lengths.

It was a first G1 win for the Danny Shum trained 5YO and his seventh win from 14 starts for earnings of HK$19,744,025.

In an all-Inglis quinella, Victor The Winner – a $180,000 purchase from the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale – beat another Premier graduate Lucky With You (Artie Schiller), into second.

The Centenary Sprint Cup result continues an extraordinary run of success for Inglis graduates in Hong Kong, following the win of Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) in the G1 Stewards Cup last Sunday.

For agent Denys Chan, who purchased Victor The Winner from the draft of Collingrove Stud in the name of his Golden River Investments on behalf of client Mr Chu, it was a special result.

“He was my favourite yearling at the sale,” said Chan.

“I loved movement and while he wasn’t a very big horse, he had great conformation and an incredible temperament.

“Danny [Shum] has been very patient with him and it is working out well.

“For me, it is a very proud moment to be the agent who bought the horse that has just beaten the highest-rated sprinter in the world.

“It is incredible that Inglis graduates have won two G1 races in Hong Kong in January – one from Classic and one from Premier – they are very important sales,” added an elated Chan.

Daniel Brash of Collingrove Stud was equally excited by the result, a G1 first for his venture, having consigned Victor The Winner as a yearling on behalf of behalf of his breeder, Adam Sangster.

“I prepped Trapeze Artist and Youngstar when I was Bowness Stud, but this is the first G1 winner for me and my own business Collingrove Stud, so it’s very special,” said Brash.

“He was very easy to do anything with as a young horse he just had the best temperament.

“I insisted that anyone who didn’t have him on their list should have a look at him, I was very confident that he was a good colt that would sell well, and he did!”

The G1 win comes as an added bonus for Brash, who will consign his I Am Immortal half sister as Lot 427 at the upcoming Inglis Premier Yearling Sale on behalf of owner Matt Dixon.

Dixon purchased Noetic (Cape Cross), the dam of Victor The Winner, for just $5,500 through the Inglis Digital June (Late) Online Sale in 2022.

Speaking about the yearling filly, Brash said: “She’s a cracking filly and has a lot in common with her brother, she’s a beautiful, great-moving filly and I’m excited to be bringing her to the sale.”

To view the catalogue for the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, CLICK HERE.

Victor The Winner is the 89th individual G1 winning Inglis graduate since 2018, with Inglis producing over 27% more G1 winners in that time that the next best Australian auction house.