Three jockeys were taken to hospital and two horses died after a horrific fall that marred the Group One Hong Kong Sprint on Sunday, one of the highlights of the prestigious international races at the famed Sha Tin circuit. The troubling incident, in the fifth race on Hong Kong’s biggest day of racing, came when Lyle Hewitson’s Mount Amazing Star gave way as the field turned to enter the home straight in the 1,200-meter (six furlong) race.
Galllopers Lucky Patch ridden by Zac Purton, Naboo Attack under Karis Teetan and Pixie Knight with Yuichi Fukunaga aboard were caught in the fight and scattered in disturbing scenes. The Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed that Purton, Hewitson and Fukunaga were all in stable condition after being taken to the nearby Prince of Wales hospital.
Unfortunately, Amazing Star and Naboo Attack both had to be humanely euthanized as a result of their injuries.
Teetan escaped unharmed and was able to carry out the rest of his rides.
Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Field won the sprint under Australian jockey Blake Shinn, who was understandably subdued after the race.
“I have mixed feelings about winning this race today,” Shinn said after his first Group 1 win in Hong Kong.
“Of course the first emotion I feel is with the fallen jockeys and horses out there. It’s really a bittersweet victory and in a way it’s a hard win to get given the circumstances.”
Golden Sixty lived up to its reputation as the city’s one and only superstar in the Group One Hong Kong Mile.
Regular rider Vincent Ho Chak-yiu blew away his rivals on the straight, becoming the first horse to win 19 races in Hong Kong.
“Well 19 (wins) is quite a lot, but every race starts from scratch, so the next race is another uncertain race. When it’s all over, we’ll see how great he is,” said Ho.
The Japanese raiders were typically dominant, matching their output at last year’s meeting with two wins.
Glory Vase won the Hong Kong Vase and Loves Only You won the Hong Kong Cup.
Glory Vase, under star Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira, took out the vase for the second time in three years.
Yoshito Yahagi’s superstar mare Loves Only You said the perfect goodbye to racing with her third Group One win of the year.
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