Leading Sires in Hong Kong for 2018/19

16 Jul 19

The 2018/2019 Hong Kong racing season wrapped up last Sunday.

Horse of the Year went to Beauty Generation and on earnings, its sire Road to Rock topped the leading sires list.

However the leading sires by winners list offers a far better analysis as to what Australasian sires work in Hong Kong.

This gives breeders and traders valuable information as to what sires Hong Kong buyers will be keen on at the 2020 yearling sales and for horses in training.

Savabeel was the leading sire in HK by winners in 2018-19

Waikato Stud's champion sire SAVABEEL heads the list with 16 winners highlighted by Group 2 Sprint Cup winner Rattan ahead of Darley heavy hitter EXCEED AND EXCEL on 15 winners, his offspring including Group 1 winning sprinter Mr Stunning.

In equal third place with 12 winners each were FASTNET ROCK and DARCI BRAHMA (NZ).

Dynamic Syndications purchased a colt by SAVABEEL and 2 colts by EXCEED AND EXCEL and a sensational FASTNET ROCK colt in 2019.

As a tool, the list below highlights stallions with 7 or more winners.

TOP 10 HK Sires (Active at Stud) by WINNERS 2018-19 Season

SAVABEEL (Zabeel) (NZ)	26	16
EXCEED AND EXCEL (Danehill)	29	15
DARCI BRAHMA (Danehill)	20	12
FASTNET ROCK (Danehill)	26	12
STAR WITNESS (Starcraft)	19	9
NOT A SINGLE DOUBT (Redoute’s Choice)	16	8
PER INCANTO (Street Cry) (NZ)	14	8
SNITZEL (Redoute’s Choice)	17	8
SMART MISSILE (Fastnet Rock)	21	7
TAVISTOCK (Montjeu) (NZ)	19	7
MORE THAN READY (Halo)	10	7

Other NOTABLE Mentions:

HINCHINBROOK (Fastnet Rock - deceased) had 2 stakes-winners Beat the Clock (Champion Sprinter) and Champion's Way (Champion Griffin = unraced when imported into HK).

Some of the younger stallions lower down on overall numbers but still worth mentioning include:

PIERRO (Lonhro) – 3 winners from 6 starters headed by Group 1 Hong Kong Derby winner Furore.

Dynamic Syndications purchased a fabulous PIERRO colt from Group 1 winner Larrocha this year.

REWARD FOR EFFORT (Exceed And Excel) - the Victorian based sire also deserves highlighting, with 5 winners from 11 runners. He was purchased and syndicated by Dynamic Syndications and won the Group 1 Blue Diamond.

REWARD FOR EFFORT

Sold for stud duties upon retirement, he was crowned Champion 1st Season, 2nd Season and 3rd Season sire in Victoria.

It’s interesting that champion sires in Australasia perform with distinction in the humid and intense racing environment of HK which reflects upon their temperament, soundness and toughness.

These are the same traits that make them champions in Australasia and no matter which way you analyse the data, “Cream Rises” so for perspective buyers it’s prudent to buy well conformed, well bred, progeny of the proven sires.