Hong Kong glory for he son of Ardrossan
It’s a big week in Hong Kong as the competitive jurisdiction gears up for the Hong Kong Derby this weekend – making the victory of Ardrossan’s son, Sunday’s Serenade, all the more impressive, with only elite-level horses claiming wins during such a prestigious lead-up.
Trained by Jamie Richards, the determined four-year-old surged along the rail to score by half a length under the urgings of Australian ex-pat jockey Brenton Avdulla.
Sunday Serenade’s full brother was sold by Kiltanton Stables at the 2024 NZB Ready To Run Sale for $240,000 to Hong Kong connections J & I Bloodstock/ Danny Chan.
From small crops, the young son of Redoute’s Choice is delivering big results both on the racetrack and in the sales ring. Ardrossan boasts a 9.7% stakes winners-to-runners strike rate, with winners across all three crops of racing age, including six stakes winners.
His yearlings have sold for up to A$260,000, and at the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale, all five of his breeze-up horses sold – three to Hong Kong connections – with a top price of $250,000.
Pure Alpha delivers again as Ardrossan continues to rise
Ardrossan gelding Pure Alpha led throughout to win by 1.29 lengths at Eagle Farm for owner Ozzie Kheir, taking his earnings past $300,000. The result caps a stellar run for sire Ardrossan, whose yearlings fetched up to $450,000 this year on strong Hong Kong form.
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The Corner with Garry Chittick
It is difficult to maintain momentum when sitting in judgment of racing’s governance. After all, I get no pleasure in searching for non-credible decisions, but one is perpetually bewildered by the rationale behind many of the positions that make little sense.
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