By Alan Carasso
Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro–Gaudeamus, by Distorted Humor), a three-time Horse of the Year and 10-times Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, has officially been retired from racing, owner Stanley Chan announced Friday at the Sha Tin stables of the gelding's trainer Francis Lui.
“Golden Sixty has been more than just a racehorse to me and my family; he has been a companion, a friend, and a true champion,” said Chan. “Watching him compete has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
“I want to thank everyone who has been a part of his journey– his dedicated team, the fans and, most importantly, Golden Sixty himself for giving us unforgettable moments.”
Bred in Queensland by Asco International Pty Ltd., Golden Sixty was purchased for A$120,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale in January 2017 and was subsequently acquired by Lui for NZ$300,000 at the NZB Ready To Run Sale later that year. Short-odds winner of his first three career starts, he stubbed his toe in his 3-year-old finale, then did nothing but win for the next 2 1/2 years. After defeating older rivals in Group 3 company in early 2020, Golden Sixty won the first two legs of the 4YO Classics, flashing his customary turn of foot, but the BMW Hong Kong Derby was in many ways his true coming-out party.
With Hong Kong now in the throes of the Coronavirus and before literally just hundreds of onlookers, Golden Sixty was given a typically quiet ride by Vincent Ho–the only jockey to ever sit on his back on raceday–but 289-1 longshot Playa del Puente (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) was set alight midrace and pinched a big break. Golden Sixty looked in desperate straits while very wide turning for home, but he closed off his final 400 metres in a spectacular :21.83 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat (see below). He became just the second to sweep the series, joining the late Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss).
The Derby marked a seventh win on the trot and his winning streak had stretched to 10 by the time he was given his first chance at Group 1 level in the 2020 Longines Hong Kong Mile, where he duly saluted at 30 cents on the dollar. After adding the G1 Stewards' Cup over the 1600 metres, he bested fellow Derby winner Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m)–albeit just–and capped his first HOTY season in the G1 Champions Mile.
A successful defence of his title in the Hong Kong Mile in December 2021 marked his 16th consecutive victory, earning Golden Sixty the chance to equal the streak of the legendary Silent Witness (Aus) when in search of back-to-back wins in the Stewards' Cup. It wasn't meant to be, as the champ got too far off a sedate tempo and couldn't reel in Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}). He suffered two losses in a row for the only time in his career when third to Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in unsuitably easy ground in the Gold Cup, but he bounced back to win the Champions Mile and another HOTY gong.
It was a victorious one-race prep into the 2022 Hong Kong Mile, but as the 1-2 jolly, Golden Sixty couldn't reel in front-running California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), missing out on a chance to equal the record of three straight wins in the Mile owned by Good Ba Ba. The 2023 Stewards' Cup was his shot at redemption, but it wasn't going to be easy. In a rare confluence of events, Hong Kong's three top-rated gallopers–Golden Sixty; Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), exiting a victory in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup; and California Spangle met to settle things on the racetrack. Not favoured in the betting for the first time in 20 starts, Golden Sixty made best use of his late kick to extricate himself from a tight spot and best Romantic Warrior by a length, with California Spangle a neck back in third (see below). For good measure, Golden Sixty handed Romantic Warrior a rare defeat over the Sha Tin 2000 metres in the Gold Cup and clinched a third Horse of the Year title with an unprecedented third straight score in the Champions Mile.
Now eight years of age, Golden Sixty was programmed for a fourth try at the Hong Kong Mile last December, but would have to do so without the benefit of a lead-up race. Forced to overcome a 224-absence and a draw that would have done in the vast majority of horses, Golden Sixty nevertheless came to win the race to the cheers of the Sha Tin faithful, with commentator Mark McNamara famously remarking, “that's not a whip, it's a wand!” leaving Chan in tears (see below).
A minor setback dictated that Golden Sixty would miss races like the Stewards' Cup and other preps, but he was ultimately green-lighted for the 2024 Champions Mile. Mother Nature got involved, however, as torrential rains pelted Hong Kong throughout the week and on raceday, rendering the course yielding, and Golden Sixty never got untracked, finishing fourth. Connections left open the door for one final crack at the Hong Kong Mile, but the pin was officially pulled on Friday.
“It has been an honour to train such an extraordinary horse,” said Lui. “Golden Sixty has brought immense pride to our stable and to Hong Kong racing. His fighting heart is unmatched. I will always cherish the memories we created. Thank you, Golden Sixty.”
Added Ho: “It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride such an amazing horse. He is not just a phenomenal athlete but also a horse with a big heart. I want to thank him for trusting me on the track and for all the incredible experiences we shared.
“Over the years, I have tried to enjoy every moment when riding him, no matter during races or trackwork. He will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
🗣️ “This is something special because everytime, even just in the Parade Ring when I mount up, everyone is cheering for him.”@Vincenthocy pays tribute to the retired Golden Sixty at today's announcement… ❤️ #HKracing pic.twitter.com/a97YjLaZKf
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 13, 2024
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will host a Golden Sixty retirement ceremony at the Celebration Cup race meeting on 22 September at Sha Tin. A Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Owner Stanley Chan at the retirement ceremony to recognise Golden Sixty's accomplishments.
“I congratulate Stanley, Francis and Vincent on their fantastic management of an extraordinary equine athlete,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “Through their efforts, and Golden Sixty's sheer talent and will to win, Hong Kong has been privileged to watch this amazing horse throughout a glorious career which has brought immense joy to the city and also to his fans around the world.
“Golden Sixty has captured the hearts of Hong Kong people and his last win at the 2023 Longines Hong Kong International Races created a strong emotional reaction from our racing fans in celebrating their champion. When he accelerated leaving world-class opposition behind, the reception he received was an experience which many people including myself will never forget. He is a real Hong Kong hero.
“While his imperious career has come to an end, we are forever indebted to him and will always cherish his incredible accomplishments.”
Overall, Golden Sixty amassed a record of 26-2-1 from 31 starts for earnings of $21,251,720. In addition to his Horse of the Year laurels, he was most popular Horse of the Year on four occasions, the three-time champion miler, champion middle-distance horse (2020/21) and champion 4-year-old (2019/2020). He reached a career-high mark of 126 on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings in 2023.
Golden Sixty will head to Australia initially before moving to his permanent retirement home at Northern Farm in Hokkaido, Japan.
Unforgettable! 💙🤍💛@Vincenthocy | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/odpcb6eiiv
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 13, 2024
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
