Two-time Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock) had already cemented his place in Hong Kong racing folklore, but the champion miler broke new ground in Sunday’s HK$4.25 million Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Sha Tin.
With the 20th win of his 37-start career, the superstar took his earnings past HK$100 million – the first horse to ever reach that mark in Hong Kong. He has now earned more than 366 times his $60,000 purchase price at the 2014 Select Sale at Karaka.
“That’s a target to set,” trainer John Moore said. “The prize-money will have to go up for another horse to ever do that.”
Beauty Generation rose to the top of the world rankings with 10 consecutive victories between April 2018 and October of last year, but some suspected his star might be on the wane when he was defeated in four races over the summer.
He bounced back to winning form in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) in February, and Sunday was more of the same.
Ridden by his regular partner Zac Purton, the seven-year-old sat in second place before moving forward in the straight to challenge the front-running Ka Ying Star (Cityscape).
That runner fought back hard on Beauty Generation’s inside, with Southern Legend (Not a Single Doubt) finishing strongly on his other side. But the champion fought them off and edged away to win by half a length.
“The most pleasing part was at the 200-metre mark when they challenged him and he fought them off,” Purton said. “He’s got a little bit of spark about him again.”
Sunday’s win was Beauty Generation’s 16th victory at black-type level. He has won eight Group One races, and has the chance to make it nine later this month in the FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on April 26.
“He’s done that nicely leading into the Champions Mile,” Moore said. “He’s 100% right now, so I’ve just got to carry that through the next three weeks.
“It was a very nice win, the tempo was absolutely perfect and everything went to plan. My fellow wasn’t hit, it was hands and heels, so it’s a good sign for the Champions Mile – everything is positive.”
Beauty Generation was bred by Nearco Stud and was raised and sold by Highden Park.
| Vendor | Highden Park |
| Purchaser | Hermes Syndications (Waikato) |
| Breeding | Road to Rock – Stylish Bel |
| Sale | Lot 835, 2014 Select Sale, $60,000 |
| Bred by | Nearco Stud Ltd |
