Voyage Bubble Makes History in Hong Kong

Media Release - Sunday May 25

Hong Kong superstar Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) tonight became just the second horse in history to win the Hong Kong Triple Crown when scoring a stunning victory in the G1 Champions and Chater Cup at Sha Tin.

The Classic Yearling Sale champion has been one of the most consistent top-level horses in Hong Kong for many seasons - from his past seven starts alone he has won five times and finished second at the other two, while he is now an 11-time winner from 26 starts, as well as 10 minor placings.

Voyage Bubble has won five G1 races - image HKJC

The Ricky Yiu-trained Voyage Bubble began his quest for Triple Crown Glory when winning the G1 Stewards' Cup over 1600m at Sha Tin in January.

Advertisement

He backed that up with victory in the second leg - the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup over 2000m in February - before stepping up to the 2400m journey for the first time in his career to score a spectacular win in tonight's third and final leg, the G1 Champions and Chater Cup.

“He’s just a brilliant racehorse who does everything you ask of him, he’s so willing,” an elated James McDonald said post-race.

“I feel very lucky to be riding him, he’s just such a star.

“He just switches off and allows himself to get the distance so well.

“I want to pay credit to the stable, they’ve done a remarkable job with this horse, great training effort – a mile to 2400m. They’re absolutely incredible.

“They’ve got a champion racehorse on their hands and he deserves all the accolades he gets.”

Voyage Bubble led home an Inglis graduate trifecta in tonight’s victory, with Rubylot and Cap Ferrat in the placings.He becomes the first in more than 30 years to win the Hong Kong Triple Crown, following the success of River Verdon in 1994.

“Since I won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, I started dreaming and now today the dream has come true. It’s really amazing.

“Dreams come true,” Ricky Yiu said after Voyage Bubble’s dominant performance.

“You seldom see a horse perform from a sprint, 1200m, up to the maximum distance of a Hong Kong 2400m so he’s really a genius.

“The whole team are thrilled.”

Voyage Bubble topped the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Now a winner of $HKD 97,472,475 ($AUD 19,231,046), Voyage Bubble is a $380,000 Classic Sale purchase for his trainer Ricky Yiu, from the draft of his breeder Torryburn Stud.

Voyage Bubble is one of 108 individual G1-winning graduates since 2018.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Gr1 2400m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 2:26.67
1
Voyage Bubble
- 6g Deep Field (AUS) x Raheights (AUS) (Rahy (USA))
Tnr: P F Yiu Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
3.5
Rubylot
- 4g Rubick (AUS) x Emirates Comfort (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: J Bowman 57
3
4
Cap Ferrat
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x C'est Beau La Vie (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: Craig Williams 57
4
4.3
Dubai Honour
- 7g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Mondelice (GB) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: W J Haggas Rdr: T Marquand 57
5
4.5
Bundle Award
- 4g Shamus Award (AUS) x Ecosse (AUS) (West Quest (CAN))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: A Atzeni 57
6
4.5
Ensued
- 5g Lemon Drop Kid (USA) x Alluvial Gold (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: Z Purton 57
7
5
Five G Patch
- 7g Camelot (GB) x Uliana (USA) (Darshaan (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: B Avdulla 57
8
7.5
Winning Dragon
- 7g Ivan Denisovich (IRE) x Perdoname (CHI) (Stuka (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: A Badel 57
9
13.5
La City Blanche
- 6g Cityscape (GB) x Etoile Blanc (BRZ) (Nedawi (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: M Chadwick 57
10
21.8
Moments In Time
- 5g Lookin At Lucky (USA) x Magia Para Todos (CHI) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: H Bentley 57
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Not Everybody’s Cup of Tea
A yearling whose sire was not the first choice and who then topped a sale run in monsoon conditions, plus a miracle baby make this a story you know you want to read.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
A Torryburn Gasp Before their Plain Bay Fellow Wins G1 No 4
The Torryburn stud team, watching as they always do when their ‘plain bay fellow’ races, would have had a gasp or two mid race but it ended up as easy as it comes with Voyage Bubble making it three Group I wins from his last three starts in the Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
Inglis Classic Sale-Topper wins G1 HK International Mile
Inglis Classic graduate Voyage Bubble has delivered a scintillating performance to claim the G1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin, cementing his status as the ‘King of the Mile’ in Hong Kong.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.