Aussies that have conquered the Hong Kong Sprint
THE Hong Kong International Series is the last true set of Group one races in the world, and the crown jewel in the eyes of many is the Hong Kong Sprint.
The Hong Kong Sprint may have been in existence for just 17 years, but it has quickly become one of the best sprinting races worldwide, and given the race was the the world’s richest 1000m race just ten years ago, the prizes on offer extend far greater than just the Group one glory.
Australian superstar Rebel Dane and Winterbottom Stakes winner Takedown are both flying the Australian flag in the Hong Kong Sprint in 2016, so we decided to take a look at some of the Aussie horses and jockeys who have helped shape the Sprint and leave a lasting impact on the HK$18,500,000 race.
These guys are the true cream of the crop in the Australian horse racing industry, and who knows, maybe Rebel Dane or Takedown could have their names up alongside these champions by the conclusion of the 2016 race on December 11.
Falvelon and Damien Oliver team up twice to take out the Sprint
Queensland native Falvelon’s name may not be as recognisable as some of the other superstar horses that have come from Australia, but its record speaks for itself.
After displaying quality form as a two-year-old in the sunshine state, Falvelon was taken down south where it won a BTC Cup, the MVRC Schweppes Stakes and the Schillachi Stakes.
It was its pioneer work for Australian horses over in Hong Kong however that will endear it to Aussie horse racing enthusiasts’ best.
Falvelon and champion jockey Damien Oliver teamed up in 2000 and took out the Hong Kong Sprint in stylish fashion, before returning just a year later to defend the crown in a photo finish.
It was the first time the race had ever been won more than once and Falvelon remains one of only three other horses that have succeeded in the Sprint multiple times.
Brett Prebble becomes the first man to win the Hong Kong Sprint three times
When it comes to Australians’ influence over in Hong Kong in racing circles few jockeys can boast the record that superstar hoop Brett Prebble can.
Prebble has 16 major racing wins in Hong Kong to his name as of December 2016, but the Hong Kong Sprint is just one of the Group races the Melbournian has made his own since moving to Hong Kong in 2002.
The 39-year-old has won the race three times – aboard Absolute Champion (2006), Sacred Kingdom (2009) and Lucky Nine (2011) – and remains the only jockey in the race’s history to salute more than two times.
Just to further underline how dominant Prebble has been in the race, the gun jockey also set the track record in 2006 aboard Absolute Champion over 1000m.
His legacy in Hong Kong can never be denied.
The artist formerly known as Jumbo Star – Sacred Kingdom dominates the Sprint
Sacred Kingdom is a huge name in the Hong Kong racing world, but few would realise that the horse actually came from Australia.
Sacred Kingdom was a four-time Hong Kong Champion Sprinter, twice the most popular Horse of the Year in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Horse of the Year across 2009-10.
The Hong Kong Sprint was one race that it made its own.
Wining the race twice (2007 and 2009) the only thing that cost it the elusive three-peat was the fact his focus was on the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in 2008.
Truly one of the greatest horses to ever take to the Hong Kong track, a superstar of the Hong Kong Sprint and one of Australia’s greatest ever exports.
Takedown is currently $9 at Sportsbet.com.au to win the Hong Kong Sprint and continue Australia’s great record in Hong Kong.