What Stallions Can Step Up in Hong Kong?

Tara Madgwick - Friday July 18

The Hong Kong racing season is over for another year, so a look at their sire tables by earnings and winners is always interesting and there is no surprise at the top with now pensioned Deep Field claiming his fourth consecutive champion sire title, but given he is now out of the picture the big question is what sires will replace him?

Leading HK sires by earnings 2024/2025 - source Arion

Deep Field not only took the Champion Sire title, he did it with a personal best posting more winners and prizemoney that he ever has before.

Leading HK Sires by winners 2024/2025 - source Arion

His 27 winners was nearly double that of the next best sire by winners in Starspangledbanner and his seasonal prizemoney total of $111million and change was also light years ahead of the next best sire Shamexpress, whose prizemoney has come largely from one horse Ka Ying Rising.

That said, Windsor Park Stud based Shamexpress has only had five runners this season and four have won, so his progeny will continue to spark interest from Hong Kong buyers.

Toronado (IRE) is a great fit for Hong Kong.

Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (IRE) and Newgate Farm’s Capitalist are the two active sires both standing in Australia this spring that are proving most effective in Hong Kong.

Toronado has lifetime Hong Kong stats of 27 winners from 49 starters with his progeny proving versatile and including sprinters like Group I winner Victor the Winner, Group winning sprinter miler Helios Express and Group winning stayer Senor Toba.

Capitalist has lifetime HK stats of 17 winners from 37 starters with stakes-placed Sunlight Power his best to date although he lacks the versatility of Toronado with few of his progeny excelling at 1600m or further.

Advertisement

Given that the stallion syndicates are not targeting colts by these sires it does open the door for the best of them to go to Hong Kong as happened with Deep Field in the latter years of his stud career.

The list below of top sellers for Toronado this year clearly demonstrates that the cream of his crop is on it’s way to Hong Kong.

Star turn stands at a fee of $!6,500, click for more info.

Looking outside of the obvious in Toronado and Capitalist, one stallion that has really come right on to the radar for Hong Kong is Vinery Stud’s Star Turn.

This season Star Turn has had six winners in Hong Kong from 11 starters and his lifetime stats for the region are 10 winners from 15 starters headed by Group winning sprinter Cordyceps Six.

The list below of the top sellers for Star Turn this year highlights his popularity for Hong Kong with leading trainer Ricky Yiu purchasing three of his top four, while the others have all been bought with HK in mind (in some cases via breeze up).

Advertisment
More Reading...
More First Season Sire First Foals
The Breednet foal gallery has been kept particularly busy of late so time to take a look at some of the recent arrivals by first season sires.
Breeding to Win – 2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas
The Golden Rose is loud in the conversation these days - but the time honoured G1 Caulfield Guineas still speaks with authority to the notion of a “sire making” race for three year olds - because it is run at the true Classic distance.
Derby Path Possible for Exciting Debut Winner
Simon and Katrina Alexander came close to winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) a few years ago with their stable star La Crique, and now it looks like they may have another Derby prospect on their hands.
Andy Caps positive week for Alwyn Park
Alwyn Park Stud owner John Andrew has received a positive post-script to Magnificent Andy’s victory in the inaugural $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) at Kalgoorlie on Saturday.
Five More Seven-Figure Lots Close Out Tattersalls Book 1
A strong renewal of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale concluded with five further seven-figure lots led by a colt by Wootton Bassett at 1,900,000 guineas bought by the sale’s leading purchaser Godolphin.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 9
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Three 2.2million Guineas Colts Top Second Day of Tattersalls Book 1 - Two by Wootton Bassett
The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw a further six lots realise seven-figure prices headed by a trio of colts, two by the late WOOTTON BASSETT, both bought by Amo Racing, and one by FRANKEL, at 2,200,000 guineas. The average was an impressive 352,672 guineas.
Gavelhouse Bargain Back to Best
Cambridge trainer Shaun Phelan took special satisfaction from an all-the-way win by Pacheco in the $60,000 Poverty Bay Turf Club Cup (2600m) at Taupo on Friday.
Willydoit Chasing $1.5million Epsom Consolation
Saturday looms as a special day in the careers of Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, who are the part-owners and former trainers of two horses that will chase million-dollar prizes in Australia.
Wrote Produces 'Horse of a Lifetime'
Bruce Wallbank has been on a wonderful ride since returning to the training ranks last term, with his only horse Midnight Edition rising through the ranks to become one of the favourites in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1400m).