Kiwi Bred Sky Darci Wins HK Derby

Tara Madgwick - Sunday March 21

Kiwi bred Sky Darci triumphed in a competitive $HK24million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, holding off a late charge from Atlantic Jewel’s Irish bred son Russian Emperor.

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Sky Darci beats Russian Emperor in the Hong Kong Derby - image HKJC
An inspired Caspar Fownes’ training performance, crowned by a supreme Joao Moreira ride, has allowed Sky Darci to overcome serious stamina doubts to win the rich classic.

The Darci Brahma gelding joined the Fownes stable as a raw, unraced gelding in 2019.

Eleven starts after debuting in Hong Kong on 9 November, 2019, the four-year-old emulated the feats of fellow unraced import Golden Sixty, now the highest-rated horse in the jurisdiction, by staving off stouter-bred stayers to lift Hong Kong’s most coveted Classic. 

In the end, only a head separated Sky Darci and a charging Russian Emperor with Panfield, a triple G1 winner in Chile, a late closing third.



“It was the longest (last) 200 metres I’ve ever seen in a race, that’s for sure,” Fownes said after securing his second Hong Kong Derby triumph, having savoured his first win in 2010 with Super Satin. 

“It felt like an eternity there and I’m glad he stuck his neck out and got the winning result. 

“All in all, it’s a magic day – massive satisfaction. This horse with the owners (the Kwan family), it’s magic, they’ve been incredible people to train for.

“They bought this horse and gave me the opportunity to train him – he’s come a long way in a short period of time – all credit goes to them. Also, I’m very happy with Joao (Moreira). 

“You’re never too confident in these types of races. I said to Joao ‘I can’t get a horse any better than this. Obviously, the staying test is going to be a little bit of query for us but we’ve got the soft gate and he’s in perfect condition. So, good luck’.” 

Having finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), Sky Darci was strategically sent to Conghua Racecourse to recover by Fownes. 

It was a masterstroke – and one which paves the way for the now six-time Hong Kong winner to return to more preferable distances. 

“That was a big, tough win but he’s going to have to go to the next level now, which I’ll think he will take in time,” Fownes said. 

“We’ll just see how he pulls up, which is the key. He’s showing us his versatility and now it depends on how I want to train him – maybe we’ll bring him back to 1400 metres, mile races now. We’ll just see how he is.” 



Sky Darci was purchased out of Highden Park’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Mr B Kwan for $160,000.

The 52nd stakes-winner for Darci Brahma, Sky Darci is a half-brother to Group II Brisbane Cup winner Chocante and is one of five winners from unraced O’Reilly mare Strictly Maternal, a grand-daughter of Group III winner Red Chiffon.

Highden Park has already tasted success in the Derby, with graduates Werther and Ping Hai Star winning the 2016 and 2018 editions respectively. The pair are now enjoying their retirement at the Palmerston North farm.


 

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Race Result - The Bmw Hong Kong Derby 2021 2000m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 2:01.32
1
Sky Darci
- 4g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Strictly Maternal (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: J Moreira 57
2
0.2
Russian Emperor
- 4h Galileo (IRE) x Atlantic Jewel (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: K Teetan 57
3
0.7
Panfield
- 4h Lookin At Lucky (USA) x Esterina II (ARG) (Orpen (USA))
Tnr: A T Millard Rdr: C Schofield 57
4
1.8
Excellent Proposal
- 4g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Procrastination (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: B Shinn 57
5
2.0
Delightful Laos
- 4g Baltic King (GB) x Pepys Tillergirl (IRE) (Tillerman (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: K C Leung 57
6
2.3
Healthy Happy
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Lady Lakshmi (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: A Badel 57
7
2.5
Tourbillon Diamond
- 4g Olympic Glory (IRE) x Modave (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: C Y Ho 57
8
5.3
Packing Waltham
- 4g Wootton Bassett (GB) x Baki (FR) (Turtle Bowl (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: N Callan 57
9
5.8
Silver Express
- 4g Canford Cliffs (IRE) x Rechichi (AUS) (Elvstroem (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: M Chadwick 57
10
6.3
Lucky Express
- 4g Toronado (IRE) x Il Diamante (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: A Hamelin 57
11
8.5
Maximus
- 4h Ivawood (IRE) x Coco Demure (IRE) (Titus Livius (FR))
Tnr: A T Millard Rdr: M F Poon 57
12
9.0
Shadow Hero
- 4g Pierro (AUS) x Sookie (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: Z Purton 57
13
9.3
Congratulation
- 4g American Pharoah (USA) x Up (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: T Piccone 57
14
9.8
Conqueror
- 4g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Diademe (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: M L Yeung 57
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