Golden Sixty Wins Epic G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup

Tara Madgwick - Monday February 27

Australian bred Golden Sixty confirmed himself as the best in Hong Kong by giving arch rival Romantic Warrior a start and a beating in the Group I Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.

Advertisement

Golden Sixty wins again! - image HKJC

Regarded the underdog at the extended trip, Golden Sixty let his class do the talking as he steamed home under Vincent Ho to win after giving his main rival a couple of lengths on the corner.

The seven-year-old Queensland bred and sold galloper made it win number 24 (from just 28 starts) and eight Group Ones as he powered home in front of a rapturous crowd.

"I'm very happy," trainer Francis Lui said. "In my lifetime, I think this is the best horse and I don't think I can have another one. You can't expect another one."



Lui said he would consider the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Champion and Chaters Cup over the longer 2400 metre trip, but races around a mile over the coming months were likely future targets. 

"It's a difficult consideration, I think (it will be Japan) if I plan to run overseas. I have to discuss it with Vincent, but of course he still thinks he's a miler.

"Honestly if you go to visit him, he's the same – you have to be careful. He will bite you or he will even kick you," Lui added. "He's always been like that, that's his character."

Regular rider Vincent Ho went into the big race hopeful, but not overly confident considering he was stretching from 1600 to 2000 metres.

"He's getting too relaxed now," Ho said. "Maybe as he's getting older - perhaps he needs the blinkers soon!"

"He was so relaxed but when I ask him, he gives - so that's fine."

"To be honest I expected the other horse would beat us. But of course I was doing my best on Golden Sixty without hurting him too much for the Champions Mile and if we go to Japan."

"He's got a great heart. He's always trying his best - sometimes over his own limit."

"I don't want to overdo it," Ho added of his champion. "Just for him to show his best."

And his best he did show! Notching win 24 at start 28 and sending his earnings rattling over HK$136.5 million - the equivalent of about A$25.8 million.

Golden Sixty was bred and sold by the Hutchins family's Element Hill property in Queensland and sold for $120,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He was purchased on the Gold Coast by Riversley Park and Enigma Farm and exported for an educational campaign in New Zealand where he was sold in the Ready to Run Sale fetching $300,000 before heading to Hong Kong.

Golden Sixty is a son of El Prado's Group One winning son Medaglia d'Oro - also sire of international champions Songbird and Rachel Alexandra and Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, the latter was also sold at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Dam Gaudeamus, a daughter of Distorted Humor, was a Group Two winner at Leopardstown and Listed winner at The Curragh - she was a brilliant three time winner as a two-year-old.

As well as Golden Sixty, Gaudeamus has produced the black type performers Rainbow Connection and Igitur as well as Sydney winners Be Mindful and Quiet Riot.

Josh Hutchins purchased Gaudeamus for $160,000 at the 2015 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale from the draft of Wood Nook Farm with Golden Sixty in-utero.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup Gr1 2000m

Sha Tin Track: G0 Time: 1:59.98
1
Golden Sixty
- 7g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Gaudeamus (USA) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: C Y Ho 57
2
0.2
Romantic Warrior
- 5g Acclamation (GB) x Folk Melody (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: K Teetan 57
3
1.7
Money Catcher
- 5g Ferlax (NZ) x Warren's Sister (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: S De Sousa 57
4
2.3
Glorious Dragon
- 8g Teofilo (IRE) x Tipperary Honor (FR) (Highest Honor (FR))
Tnr: P C Ng Rdr: H Bentley 57
5
2.5
Panfield
- 6h Lookin At Lucky (USA) x Esterina Ii (ARG) (Orpen (USA))
Tnr: A T Millard Rdr: J Bowman 57
6
4.5
Tourbillon Diamond
- 6g Olympic Glory (IRE) x Modave (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: A Badel 57
7
21.8
Ka Ying Star
- 8g Cityscape (GB) x Casual Glance (GB) (Sinndar (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
More Reading...
Golden Sixty Sharing the Love Around
The 29th of July 2006 at Leopardstown was a pretty good day for renowned trainer Jim Bolger as he saddled Teofilo to win the Listed Tyros Stakes, Heliostatic in the Group III Meld Stakes and Gaudeamus (USA) in the feature Group II Debutante Stakes.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
He is a Freak - Medaglia d'Oro's Golden Sixty a Class Above in Hong Kong Mile
Beaten once in 15 starts, the freakish Golden Sixty was in a class of his own in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
He is a Freak - Third Consecutive Win for Golden Sixty in Champions Mile
The Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin proved a fascinating tactical race. Still, there was ever only going to be one winner, which was the hometown hero Golden Sixty who sent the packed crowd into raptures with a third consecutive win in the race.