Hong Kong Win for Record Priced Deep Field

Tara Madgwick - Monday July 14

Not all expensive colts stay on the right track even when they win a stakes race on debut.

Purchased from Segenhoe Stud for $1,050,000 at Inglis Easter in 2023 by China Horse Club / Newgate / Go Bloodstock / Trilogy, good looking Deep Field colt won the Listed MRC Blue Diamond Preview on debut as High Octane.

High Octane won the Blue Diamond Preview on debut, but is now a winner in HK racing as Celestial Hero - image Grant Courtney

The most expensive yearling ever sired by Deep Field, he failed to win again in six more starts in stakes company before he was gelded and sold to Hong Kong where he is now trained by Douglas Whyte and racing as Celestial Hero.

Advertisement

Eighth in his first HK run in May and then fourth at Sha Tin last month, Celestial Hero stepped out at the penultimate meeting of the season on Sunday and won by a short head in a thriller over another promising Aussie bred three year-old in Little Paradise, who started favoutite.

Winner of two of his three previous starts, Little Paradise looks another rising star for Toronado (IRE) in Hong Kong and both horses will be worth following next season.

Bred by Segenhoe, Celestial Hero is the first winner from stakes-winning Not a Single Doubt mare Granny Red Shoes, who produced her second winner last Saturday when two year-old Zoustar gelding San Giovanni saluted at Newcastle.

San Giovanni won on debut at Newcastle - image Bradley Photography

A $550,000 Inglis Easter purchase, San Giovanni powered home to win on debut in a quality juvenile maiden beating Fangirl’s half-sister Bella Wahine, so both horses might have more to offer.

Segenhoe sold a colt by Capitalist from Granny Red Shoes at Magic Millions this year to Kendrick Racing for $220,000.

Footnote: Now pensioned Deep Field is well on track to claim his fourth consecutive Champion HK Sire title with another super successful season where he has accumulated nearly double the amount of prizemoney of the next best sire Shamexpress (sire of Ka Ying Rising).

He is also leading sire by winners with 27 on the board led by his multiple Group I winner Voyage Bubble, who was awarded the Champion Miler and Champion Stayer in Hong Kong this season.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Quinella in $3million Sunlight Slot Race
Exciting colt Grafterburners (Graff) emerged as a potential superstar with a slashing victory in $3m Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
G1 Potential for $3million Sunlight Winner Grafterburners
Group 1 targets await emerging sprinter Grafterburners after a brilliant win in Saturday night’s $3 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast.
Sires With Winners - Sunday January 11
Here is the full list of 56 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$20,000 Yearling Yellow Brick Becomes $3.5million Earner!
A new chapter in the Yellow Brick fairytale was written at the Gold Coast on Saturday night when Tony and Maddy Sears’ pin-up galloper showed his trademark heart to win the $1.5 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m).
Vinery Magic Draft a One Stop Shop
A proven nursery of G1 winning juveniles and also home to one of the hottest young sires in the country in Ole Kirk, Vinery Stud will present a draft at Magic Millions that is a one stop shop for stallion syndicates, racehorse syndicators and everyone in between.
Ammirati Wins Listed Gingernuts - Full Brother in K1
An unusual plan paid big dividends for the connections of Ammirati when the big gelding confirmed New Zealand Derby plans with a dominant victory in the Listed Trackside Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.
Winning Debut for Expensive Almanzor - Karaka Million Next
The highest priced yearling by Cambridge Stud's in form sire Almanzor (Fr) sold in 2025, Stromlinien made a winning debut on Sunday and has a half-brother to be offered at Karaka Book 1.
Veteran Speedster Acromantula Back to Best - Half-Brother Perth MM
Veteran sprinter Acromantula turned back the clock with a display of low level flying to record an unexpected victory in the Listed Miss Andretti Stakes at Ascot.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 10
Here is the full list of 79 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blue Flame Lights Up Magic Millions Off the Track Cup
With $100,000 in prizemoney on the line, the Queensland Off-The-Track Cup Final at the Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo Spectacular on Sunday delivered a brilliant display of retrained Thoroughbreds stepping into exciting second careers beyond racing.